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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Woman sues easyJet

38 replies

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 27/08/2020 23:45

www.theguardian.com/business/2020/aug/27/woman-sues-easyjet-after-being-told-to-move-seats-due-to-ultra-orthodox-jewish-men

Seriously, why can't these men move??? Surely they're aware that not everyone shares their beliefs and that there would be no problem if it weren't for these beliefs? As in: most women wouldn't have a problem sitting next to an orthodox Jewish man, but the reverse does not apply. Surely the onus must therefore be on them to move? It's bad enough that they believe women are so inferior/ dangerous that they can't sit next to them, but they then insist that they must accept this sexism and accommodate it. I bloody well hope she wins!!!

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Ereshkigalangcleg · 28/08/2020 00:25

I haven't seen anything, has anyone else?

There was talk of a legal challenge to the City of London by Orthodox Jewish women over Hampstead ladies' pond, but that seems to have gone quiet so maybe they just don't go there any more.

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 28/08/2020 00:25

@JellySlice

Nothing to do with religion - that's just the excuse. If it was, you'd also have Ultra-Orthodox women getting the cabin crew to move men seated next to them. I wonder how often that happens? Hmm

I've sat next to an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man on a flight. He ignored me, was scrupulously careful not to touch me. Which is of course perfect when you're all sardined into a plane. I understood and did likewise. Hey, guess what - he was not struck down by a bolt of lightning.

See, I would be sad that I would be considered so harmful that someone would go out of their way not to interact with me, purely because I'm a woman. However, I would respect it entirely, as they are taking care not to inconvenience me and not foisting their beliefs on me.
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Ereshkigalangcleg · 28/08/2020 00:22

If she had told the attendants she identifed as a man, would everyone have said ok then?

I soooo wish she had. The fallout would be epic.

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 28/08/2020 00:22

@NiceGerbil What are these men saying I wonder that gets these requests granted time after time.

Interesting, I hadn't thought about this. I imagine flight crew consider asking a woman to move to be the easier option. Probably perceived to be less confrontational than refusing to bow to someone's religious demands.

WRT the crew being au fait with orthodox Jewish rules: I'd imagine a lot of the crew might be Israeli.

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NiceGerbil · 28/08/2020 00:16

Question.

If she had told the attendants she identifed as a man, would everyone have said ok then?

No of course they wouldn't.

The orthodox rules they were following are based in sex.

I don't think the TRAs have taken on these sorts of things have they? That orthodox religions of many types would not recognise self id and are therefore transphobic.

I haven't seen anything, has anyone else?

JellySlice · 28/08/2020 00:14

Nothing to do with religion - that's just the excuse. If it was, you'd also have Ultra-Orthodox women getting the cabin crew to move men seated next to them. I wonder how often that happens? Hmm

I've sat next to an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man on a flight. He ignored me, was scrupulously careful not to touch me. Which is of course perfect when you're all sardined into a plane. I understood and did likewise. Hey, guess what - he was not struck down by a bolt of lightning.

Lifeisabeach09 · 28/08/2020 00:10

I hope she wins too. Well done to her for trying and an amazing well done to the Holocaust survival who, in the article, sued El Al for the same thing and won!!

Newwayofthinking · 28/08/2020 00:09

Should it say sex instead of gender?

I hope she wins

NiceGerbil · 28/08/2020 00:06

Again? There have been quite a few news reports about this happening over the years.

What I find weird about it is that on an easyJet flight I'd not imagine (but maybe I'm wrong) that being a huge company based in Europe all the flight attendants would be au fair with the ins and outs of orthodox Jewish beliefs?

And so why their reaction to this request wasn't what on earth? Don't get it. Why they automatically said ok we'll move her.

What are these men saying I wonder that gets these requests granted time after time.

RealityExistsInTheHumanMind · 27/08/2020 23:59

Good for her. She really should win and I hope she does

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 27/08/2020 23:57

Totally. I didn't take the angle of religion and the right to equality because religion is also a protected characteristic. I guess the answer would be that everyone's rights should be protected as long as they don't encroach on other people's rights does this sound familiar?. What really pisses me off is that there is an easy solution - the men moving - that would get them what they want without inconveniencing and discriminating against someone who doesn't share their belief. But no. They're so convinced they're right that everyone must have their beliefs rammed down their throats. The sheer arrogance of insisting your rights trump someone else's is infuriating!

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BlackWaveComing · 27/08/2020 23:51

But somehow discriminating against women on the basis of their sex and your religion is fine and dandy?

Shame on all those who sat by and watched.

These men need to pay for an extra seat if they need to protect themselves from impure women.

BlackWaveComing · 27/08/2020 23:49

As she should.

Imagine asking someone to move for any other immutable characteristic. Imagine white men asking a black woman to move. Imagine the absolute outcry.