Writing workshop for women and what happens...

Ugh. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/art-connects-peace-one-day I was going to sign up for this until I realised that it would likely feel the very opposite of a 'safe space for sharing' for me. I mean, how does being with people who 'identify as women' make it any safer than a mixed space? For me it actually makes it feel LESS safe as I know the sort of narcissists who will likely enjoy taking over a (supposedly) women only space . Or do you think I misunderstood the wording and it was actually aimed at transwomen rather than actual women .

There are very few women who can't spot a transwoman, @mypointofview, despite what some people think.

I'm not sure what the dangly earrings have to do with anything lol

do only transwomen wear dangly earrings??? Come on.

I doubt a transwoman would miss the marketing specifically for women - they would be on hyper-alert for it.

I have found that my university is providing this coding course for women www.codefirstgirls.org.uk/courses-we-offer.html except it's not just for women, you just have to identify as one, or be non-binary. It's also aimed at women who are 18+ in age, yet they call it Code first: girls. You'd think it was for children...

yes, this was a blatant pissing-on-the-tree exercise, not a misunderstanding over who was allowed to go to the workshop You can't know this! Workshops are often advertised in various places without the full details and men regularly turn up thinking they can come because the last one was for everyone. Don't assume a conspiracy without more facts, please.

I would have asked for my money back. In no uncertain terms. - this. Perhaps losing money will encourage the organisers to challenge these gatecrashers next time.

It is surprising how often people miss the 'for women' bit and are genuinely surprised.

@mypointofview Did you not read the original post: I went to a creative writing group specifically marketed at women and with "for women" in the title?

@mypointofview why are you being so chippy towards other posters?

@mypointofview why are you being so chippy towards other posters?

If you can't follow the post you clearly know nothing about facilitating writing workshops fermat. So not in a position to know if the guy was there knowing it was a women's only event or not. I can only assume you were there, since you are so sure he had done it intentionally.

I would have asked for my money back. In no uncertain terms.

Sorry, what's that supposed to mean, mypointofview (not following your post at all)?

Correction - he should have been escorted out. Anyone unwilling to take an equal share of vulnerability (unless it's a first day or a one-off) shouldn't be there unless by agreement of the group.fermat were you there? I hadn't realised.

It’s the same men who say “women abuse too” when a domestic violence poster shows a woman cowering. Or “what about all the false rape claims- it ruins men’s lives” when a newspaper reports an allleged rape of a woman.

It is surprising how often people miss the 'for women' bit and are genuinely surprised. Male writers are used to being the lone wolf at these events. Of course I don't know if that was the case here. And he should have been firmly invited to get with the programme or take a hike - I'm surprised he wasn't.

You havent said if the man was told 'no'. If not why not? Unless women start standing up for themselves and being a bit more assertive nothing will change.

Terfntonic how fucking infuriating for you. He sounds a complete fucking nightmare (and yes, this was a blatant pissing-on-the-tree exercise, not a misunderstanding over who was allowed to go to the workshop). Did the organiser feel too intimidated to tell him to leave?

Grr, What a bastard. We mustn't ever do what they do (unless it gets on the telly). It won't make them see the light. NO, has to be NO. (Then duck)

Did the group organizer not challenge the twonk. How could they? They’d be risking losing their job, being publically “outed” as a terf, possible rape and death threats and maybe actual physical harm. All have happened. And will happen again.

Maybe women should start turning up at events that are intended for men who identify as transwomen? Or maybe we should start saying ‘NO’ and see what happens?

Did the group organizer not challenge the twonk? How bloody annoying.

It's not because they want to be part of it, as the man at the OP's group showed. It's because they want to prevent women from having it in the first place.