Actor Kathleen Ebbs has slammed a swimming bath after being told to "cover up" after a man complained that there were "children around".
The 24-year-old non-binary influencer shared a video on Instagram revealing that while they were sunbathing topless at the Dawn Fraser Baths in Sydney, Australia, they were approached by a lifeguard.
Ebbs remarked that when the lifeguard walked out, they knew immediately what the problem was, and then pointed out to them that none of the other men around were also wearing tops.
The lifeguard then informed the content creator that "someone complained because there are children around," resulting in them being issued a warning and questioning the pool's apparent policy.
Check out Ebbs' post below:Completely flabbergasted, Ebbs - who was cast as the first ever non-binary character on Neighbours - took to the social media platform to share why the "hilarious" reasoning was an issue.
"Children are probably the only f***ing individuals that aren't sexualizing my b***s," they said. "Because kids don't see gender and sexuality and bodies in that way. It's not until we get taught.
"Your parents will literally let you get dressed in public and then you hit a certain age, like 10, and then all of the sudden there's this emphasis on covering up your b***s," they continued.
"All of a sudden your 'private parts' aren't yours anymore. Why? because the f***ing patriarchy and because of the male gaze and because of the society we live in," they frustratedly added.
In addition to this, when the actor found out that the complaint had come from a man, they claimed that his reason was an "excuse" for how he really felt.
"The man that f***ing complained used the kids as bait for his uncomfortability (sic)," they said. "My genderless t*** are an issue to you and you can't just admit that, instead you have to use kids as ammunition for why I have to cover up."
Their post amassed over 4,000 likes on the social media platform, with many online users sharing their opinions on the double standards.
One user wrote: "This is so frustrating and upsetting. Being in Europe and being on beaches where families were naked and nobody cared about bodies or posing was very freeing for me. I wish Australia would get over this purity culture and misogyny and let bodies be bodies. Love to you."
Another shared: "Makes me really uncomfortable that a man in speedos is speaking for the kids about this topic, for so many reasons. Like who is he? How disturbing. I’m sorry about your experience, the world is bonkers."
A third commented: "This is so f*****! What did they do after you asked them for their policy? Did they provide anything? Were you able to stay?"
In the clip, Ebbs also revealed that after getting a warning, they continued spending time with their sisters until another "poor lifeguard" came over to tell them about the bath's policy.
"Firstly, I couldn't find the policy anywhere and until that happens, there shouldn't be an issue with me sitting here with my genderless b***s out having a merry old time," they said.
"As well as probably teaching kids that they shouldn't be ashamed of their body, they shouldn't be ashamed of their chest. And just because you have b***s doesn't mean they're innately sexual," they concluded.
