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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Another thought - health clubs and businesses generally

27 replies

CertainHalfDesertedStreets · 16/02/2018 20:27

I was in a branch of a national chain of health clubs last week. Their showers are made of slightly frosted glass - so you can clearly see the outline of the person in the stall next to you but no real detail.

There are probably 20 stalls in the showers there. They have maybe 30 - 60 branches nationwide and there are how many of those chains? Virgin, banatynes, David Lloyd etc etc. Some with fewer branches but some with more.

Now, if I am a member, I am not going to pay £70 a month and not use the lovely hot showers and the complementary towel. That's the shit I'm paying for.

And it's really clear to me that I am also not going to use that facility if there is a bloke in there. However much make up he is wearing. They are clearly designed to be sex segregated places. There is a sign saying they can be used by boys up to the age of seven so others clearly feel exactly the same as I do.

So those businesses would have a choice following self id - lose shedloads of clients or refit their facilities. At what cost? 50k per venue?

Has anyone explained that to these businesses? And what other businesses would be similarly affected? Business is VERY good at lobbying government and politicians.

What do we think? Might there be traction in that?

OP posts:
CertainHalfDesertedStreets · 16/02/2018 20:43

I think that's true. But I was more thinking about the sheer cost. Businesses always have an eye on the bottom line. I think 50k is a very conservative estimate of what it might cost a health club to provide facilities after self id in a way that won't see women leaving in droves. Probably more like 75+ For big chains like Nuffield or Banatynes this legislation might cost them a couple of million. Who's helping them to pay that?

And women will leave - as soon as they see one autogynephile in the changing room or have to shower next to an intact male in the showers I have described. You don't pay that sort of money to feel uncomfortable and a bit humiliated.

Let alone when the first one is caught wanking. It's a PR disaster...

OP posts:
OfficerGrant · 16/02/2018 20:29

Hopefully
I don't think they are aware. They need to know their safeguarding obligations to the female club members

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