Dunedin woman Jennifer Scott, a former nurse, outraged some councillors earlier this week with a submission on the use of Moana Pool changing spaces by trans people.
She said women and girls were made to feel unsafe, and urged the council to uphold what she called "designated sex-based private areas".
Her comments were deemed distasteful and damaging to the rainbow community by Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins.
Scuba instructor, model and trans woman Charlotte Goodyear is a regular user of Moana Pool, and said her use of the changing rooms had never been considered an issue.
"I’ve been going to Moana Pool for years, including recently, and I’ve never had an issue," Ms Goodyear said.
"I’ve just been a normal person getting changed, somewhat self-consciously."
In her experience it was trans people who felt uncomfortable if someone was being hateful towards them.
In that case they would choose a more private option.
She said the argument made by Ms Scott came down to the misrepresentation of trans people as predators and the validity of their identity.
"The reality is trans people have always existed.
"We’re just trying to live a normal life and there is no reason why that should be so hard."
She was concerned speaking out against the comments would make her a target for hate, but felt she needed to speak up.
"I was disgusted. I feel grossly misrepresented.
"It’s really gross to say that about someone you don’t know who is a real person."
A council spokeswoman said there was no policy regarding use of gendered changing facilities by transgender people.
No staff member at Moana Pool had been made aware it was an issue by any member of the public.
The council aimed to provide an inclusive, welcoming, safe space for all visitors.
If any person did not wish to use a gendered changing room, there were accessible changing rooms available as standalone spaces.
Additional gender-neutral changing rooms would be made available during the pool’s refurbishment.
