A woman in Germany with a congenital skin disorder has challenged a local bathing beach’s decision to deny her entry, alleging discrimination. Anja Gründel, 59, who has neurofibromatosis type I, a genetic condition that causes benign tumors resembling warts, was refused access to the Kastensee lido near Munich at the end of June.

Gründel, a resident of Vaterstetten, had previously visited the lido with her partner without incident. However, the facility’s operator, Manfred Lamm, cited complaints from other visitors about Gründel’s appearance as the reason for barring her entry. Lamm said multiple customers expressed discomfort and threatened to boycott the lido unless she was excluded. According to Lamm, he remained courteous but asked Gründel to leave after she sat down in front of the entrance until she was admitted.

Gründel described the incident as “outrageous” and has engaged legal counsel, viewing the refusal as a clear case of discrimination against a disabled person. She also stated that Lamm told her to “look in a mirror” when she inquired about the reason for being turned away. While the condition causes her physical discomfort, it is noncontagious. Gründel has worked in a kindergarten for 36 years, where she said children have always accepted her presence without issue.

She is seeking an apology from Lamm, compensation for the distress caused, and a written assurance that she will not be denied access to the lido in the future. Under German equal rights laws, operators of such facilities may set entry rules; however, discrimination against disabled persons is prohibited unless their presence poses a demonstrable health risk to others.

This case follows a similar controversy last month in Halle, eastern Germany, where a bathing beach announced it would exclude visitors who did not speak German to a reasonable standard. The lido’s management argued that language proficiency was necessary to understand safety instructions, citing several incidents where poor comprehension allegedly placed customers in danger. Local authorities later intervened, stating that banning entire groups could be considered xenophobic and damage the city’s reputation.

The dispute involving Gründel highlights ongoing tensions in Germany over inclusivity and the rights of individuals with disabilities or other conditions that affect their appearance or communication abilities at public recreational venues.