dress codes
Women are allowed to visit the Berlin water playground topless: “Unequal treatment ended”
Water playground in Berlin
© Pemax / Getty Images
A woman was expelled from the Berlin water playground “Plansche” last year because she was not wearing a top. Now the rules are changing: topless is now allowed for all genders.
Last summer, Berlin discussed the case of a woman who visited the “Plansche” water playground in the Treptow district without a top. She did not follow the security service’s request to put something on. Finally, the police intervened and issued a dismissal against the Berliner. With her bare breasts she would have violated the house rules.
There were expressions of solidarity and even demonstrations in the city, and the woman concerned filed a lawsuit under the Berlin Anti-Discrimination Act. No verdict has been made yet, but she has already achieved one success: The “Plansche” water playground has changed its house rules and now also allows women to be there topless.
Water playground in Berlin: only primary sex organs need to be covered
When the water playground reopens on July 29 after renovation work, both men and women will be allowed to show their naked upper bodies. Regarding the clothing regulations, the capital’s website says: “Staying in the paddling pool is only permitted in commercially available swimwear. The swimwear must completely cover the primary genitals. This applies to all genders.”
The left faction had previously campaigned in the district assembly in Treptow-Köpenick for a change in the dress code. “Nudity in public space is no longer perceived as grossly improper or dangerous. The district office is thus ending unequal treatment based on gender,” said parliamentary group leader Philipp Wohlfeil, welcoming the new regulations.
Other cities are also discussing whether women can swim topless. In Göttingen, this has been allowed in swimming pools since May, and the city council in Siegen also permitted this in the municipal swimming pools. Other pools are likely to follow soon.
Sources: Treptow-Köpenick district office / The Left Treptow-Köpenick / “Berlin newspaper”