A French woman who was kicked out of a swimming pool in Berlin, Germany has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination.
On the 13th (local time), the British media The Times reported that French national Gabrielle Le Verton (38, female), who had lived in Berlin for 10 years, paid 10,000 euros (about 14 million won) in compensation for the swimming pool where she was kicked out. reported that a lawsuit was filed for
According to reports, Leberton and her 5-year-old son visited an outdoor swimming pool in Berlin’s Treptov-Köpenik borough in June of last year to sunbathe without a bikini top before being warned by security guards to cover their torso.
The security guards said that ‘nude exposure’ is prohibited at the swimming pool, and that other users protested and demanded that they leave if they would not wear clothes.
Le Verton pointed to a male customer and countered that he was not naked because he was also wearing bikini bottoms, but eventually left when the police arrived at the scene.
In an interview with German weekly Dezeit, Le Verton said, “It was clear that it was unfair. I am aware that there are different social views depending on gender, even if they are wearing the same top, but it is not different for me.”
Although ‘breasts’ is a secondary gender characteristic for both men and women, it is a counter-question whether men have the freedom to take off their clothes and women do not.
After the incident, the authorities at the time made an official apology for “making me feel discrimination,” but Leberton said, “I did not feel discrimination, I was discriminated against.” He did not give up his claim to be compensated accordingly.
The case will be heard at the Berlin District Court on the 14th, The Times reported.
Meanwhile, it is known that the swimming pool has also changed its rules to allow sunbathing without a top, regardless of gender.
Reporter Lee Bo-bae, Hankyung.com newsinfo@hankyung.com