An Australian model has slammed a council for banning “revealing” swimsuits from its pools and questioned why men’s swimsuits weren’t also under the microscope.
Jess King, 34, spoke out against the Blue Mountains City Council on Tuesday in response to an ongoing debate over its swimsuit rules.
Last Monday, the council reiterated that the wearing of thongs and thong swimsuits is “not acceptable” at Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre, Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Blackheath Pool or Glenbrook Swimming Centre.
Ms. King criticized the rule that sexualizes the bodies of swimmers, specifically those of women.
“Such a ban implies that the human body – specifically the butt, which we all have – is inherently inappropriate or sexualized, reinforcing shame rather than promoting acceptance,” she said. yahoo.
“These conversations often focus disproportionately on women and women’s fashion trends, while similar discussions about men’s swimwear, like budgie smugglers, are noticeably absent.”
The conditions for entry to the centers state that “customers are encouraged to shower thoroughly before entering the pool and must wear a recognized swimsuit.”
“Recognized swimsuits do not include thongs,” the conditions said.
Model Jess King criticized Blue Mountains Council’s ban on thong bikinis for sexualizing women’s bodies
The rule came to light after the city council was forced to explain a sign that said “swimwear/revealing items” were prohibited.
“The ‘Revealing Swimsuits and Thongs’ image has attracted attention, this image refers to thongs and thongs, not bikini tops and bottoms,” it said.
‘Bikinis are acceptable and are considered recognized swimwear.
Ms King, a model and body positivity advocate, questioned how the council would police its policy.
‘Who decides how much coverage is enough?’ she said.
‘Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and certain styles may reveal themselves more or less depending on the individual.
“For someone with a curvier figure, even full-coverage swimsuits can show some skin.”
Instead, King suggested the council focus on more pressing issues at the pool, such as sun safety.

Thongs and thong swimsuits are prohibited at Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Center (pictured), Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Blackheath Pool and Glenbrook Swimming Centre.
Their opinion was widely reflected in the comments left on the council’s social media account.
“People go to the pool to swim, without worrying about what other people are wearing,” one person said.
“How about we fix this by putting the responsibility on the person who has feelings about someone else’s clothes and not on the children who wear them?” said a second local.
‘Young people will wear what is fashionable and this is what is fashionable. If you don’t like it, don’t watch.
A third urged others to “stop worrying or commenting on what other people look like or what they wear.”
“If anyone is so offended by a daring thong bikini, then don’t wear one and don’t watch others wearing one,” they wrote.
“There are a lot of bodies in the pool that I don’t enjoy looking at, they still have every right to be there and wear whatever they want.
“In my opinion, this policy is so outdated and antiquated.”

Ms King believed the ban on thong bikinis unfairly targeted women, saying: “These conversations often focus disproportionately on women and women’s fashion trends.”
But others said they saw no problem with the ban, adding that there are still swimsuits they can wear in the pool.
‘I don’t see the problem here. People are taking this out of context. It’s not that they are saying cover everything,’ wrote one user.
“There are so many kids who innocently swim and enjoy themselves, only to see so many butts walking around, which I actually find ridiculous,” said another.
“No, we don’t need to look, but kids do and I don’t want them to think it’s okay, especially with dirt around.”
Project host Sarah Harris also shared her thoughts on the debate, saying that while she wouldn’t wear a thong bikini, she couldn’t understand why other pool-goers would have a problem with people who do.
‘A lot of the comments have been ‘what will the kids think?’ she said.
“I spend a lot of time at the beach with my kids, they don’t look.”
Her co-presenter Georgie Tunney agreed, saying: “I don’t care what people wear, if they feel safe enough to wear it then I’m very happy they do.”
‘I wish I were one of you, but alas!’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Blue Mountains Council for comment.