Local council in Greater Sydney sparks outrage after banning thongs and G-strings at public pools

15 January 2025, 15:02 | Updated: 15 January 2025, 17:25

A local council in Greater Sydney has caused outrage after banning men and women from wearing thongs and G-strings in its public pools, according to reports in Australia.

Blue Mountains Leisure Centres (BMLC), part of Blue Mountains City Council, is said to have confirmed the ban in a post on Facebook following confusion among visitors who had seen a poster at its five pools.

The posters featured images of swimwear and indicated whether it was deemed to be appropriate or inappropriate, news.com.au reports.

In a now-deleted post on Facebook clarifying the rules, BMLC is said to have written: "Much of (the confusion) focused on a poster showing the kind of swimwear that is and isn't appropriate. It's important to remember that these images are indicative only.

"In particular, the image of 'revealing swimwear/thongs' has raised some eyebrows. This image refers to thongs and G-strings - not bikini tops and bottoms.

"Thongs and G-string swimwear is not acceptable for males or females when visiting our leisure centres."

The post added that "bikinis are acceptable and considered recognised swimwear".

The ban has reportedly sparked fury among some Australians.

Jess King, a body confidence model, wrote in an Instagram story: "Such a ban implies that the human body - specifically the bum, (which we all have!!) - is inherently inappropriate or sexualised, reinforcing shame rather than promoting acceptance."

Australian TV hosts Sarah Harris and Georgie Tunny are reported to have weighed in on the debate during a segment dedicated to the ban that aired on their show The Project.

Ms Tunny said: "I just don't care what people are wearing.

"If they feel confident enough to wear that, then I am happy for them to do it."

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Ms Harris agreed, stating: "I wish I could wear them. My bum looks like a garbage bag filled with cottage cheese. If you've got it, flaunt it."

Meanwhile, under BMLC's post explaining the rule, one person commented: "So long as (practicality) and safety are considered it shouldn't be anyone else's business what I'm comfortable swimming in."

Another person told Australian media: "This is absolutely ridiculous, the people that's eyebrows are being 'raised' shouldn't be at a public pool if they can't control themselves."

However, one swimmer wrote below BMLC's post on Facebook: "It's about the rules … don't like them? Then swim and bare your bum elsewhere."

The ban comes nearly a year after throngs of thong-wearing protesters bared their bums on Australia's Gold Coast as they showed their opposition to calls for a ban on G-string bikini bottoms.

The demonstration, named "Free The Peach", took place at Kurrawa Beach.

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