Spanish swimming pools in Catalonia told not to ban topless bathing

Activists in Catalonia are celebrating a recent development where the regional government has instructed town and city halls to allow women to go topless in public swimming pools. This decision comes as a result of a 2020 Catalan equality law that guarantees the right to go topless.

Despite the law, some municipal swimming pools had prohibited women from doing so, leading to numerous complaints each summer. The Catalan government’s department of equality and feminism sent a letter to local authorities, emphasizing that preventing women from going topless constitutes discrimination and infringes upon personal freedom and body autonomy.

The letter also specified that breastfeeding and the use of full body bathing suits, including the Muslim “burkini,” should be permitted. Municipalities failing to comply with the directive can face fines of up to €500,000 (£430,000). The decision has been welcomed by activists, including the feminist group Mugrons Lliures (Free Nipples), who have campaigned for gender equality in this regard.

The issue of toplessness has garnered attention beyond swimming pools, as demonstrated by an incident at a Pride event in Murcia, where a singer performing topless was later questioned by local police.

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