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Original poster

Southwark single-sex protest - Saturday - Council refuses lesbian venue

29 replies

PuttingTheWordOut · 22/05/2025 11:30

Regular poster, name-changed as I told IRL people I’d be sharing this here.

L Community, a London-based lesbian group, has been refused a venue by Southwark Council on the basis single-sex spaces are apparently unacceptable. They have been offered a space for mixed-sex use, but are not allowed a single-sex venue, full stop.

The organiser’s Substack explains more (I’m just a random member of the group) and you can see more from the organisers via twitter or the website.

L Community and their supporters are meeting at the proposed venue site in Southwark this Saturday (24 May) at 1.30pm at 241 Union Street SE1 0LR to make some noise, and will be repeating the protest every Saturday at different local spots until Southwark complies with the law.

The event was advertised on Meetup, who then delisted the event on the basis it’s apparently discriminatory(!) for lesbians to try to meet each other.

If you’re in London on Saturday and can briefly pop down to Southwark for 1.30pm to support these women (all women welcome, regardless of sexuality), it would be much appreciated - the aim is to raise awareness and to make it impossible for Southwark Council and the media to ignore this.

Please also spread the word among your networks even if you can’t personally make it.

Thanks!

Home

L Community provides female-only lesbian events & dating through our app, real-world events, & pop-up bar. Build friendships & connections!

https://thelcommunity.com

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
IwantToRetire · 26/05/2025 20:34

But the day couldn’t fall apart. Women were already gathering. We had a movement to defend.
This is why female-only spaces matter.
Not just for who’s allowed in.
But for who thinks they can corner you, intimidate you, silence you.

So sorry to hear about this.

Could you post the flyer on your web site for others to see?

Imnobody4 · 26/05/2025 18:29

This is disgraceful.

https://x.com/dnalerinrehtron/status/1926981892336713872?t=j9-ym_MDqrljWYUUeoEfIg&s=19

I got cornered against a wall - for asking three men to fix what they broke.

On Saturday, we ran a safeguarding action for our female-only lesbian venue.

The flyers were crucial - they explained L Community: our app, our network, our mission.
The file was flawless. Sent days ahead.

1,000 copies ordered for same-day pickup, designed for this event and all future ones.
High-gloss, weather-resistant, double-sided card with custom trimming for visibility.
Central London shop. £400.

A huge spend for a grassroots organiser using my own money. But they mattered - they told the public who we are.

What turned up?
• First line of text - cut off
• QR code - unreadable
• The “L” in ‘L Community’ - missing
• Our logo - sliced in half
Unusable.

We had nothing to hand to women asking: “What is this? How do I join?”

I stood alone in a cramped print shop, surrounded by three men shouting, demanding full payment.
I calmly said I couldn’t pay for what they’d handed me their own machine had misaligned the print.

One man squared up to me and cornered me against a wall.
Jabbed his finger inches from my face, shouting.
Said I’d be “the reason his business fails.”

I froze up against that wall.
They said they’d barricade the door if I didn’t pay.
Said I was “being unreasonable.”
I wasn’t.
I was trapped – for over 45 minutes.

In the end, I handed over £200 - just to get to the door.

The flyers went straight into the recycling bin.
But the day couldn’t fall apart. Women were already gathering. We had a movement to defend.

This is why female-only spaces matter.
Not just for who’s allowed in.
But for who thinks they can corner you, intimidate you, silence you.

https://x.com/dnalerinrehtron/status/1926981892336713872?s=19&t=j9-ym_MDqrljWYUUeoEfIg

Imnobody4 · 22/05/2025 19:07

titchy · 22/05/2025 18:23

You’re the one that posted the constituencies - do you not know why you selected those? There are plenty of other MPs who are GC so it can’t just be that, and they’re all over the country so it’s not based on how near they are.

Show quote history

I didn't select them. If you scroll down the link there are 2 letters. 2A and 2B with slightly different wording.
I was just guessing.

Debinaround · 22/05/2025 19:05

Fgfgfg · 22/05/2025 17:46

They have sensible MPs.

Show quote history

Emma Lewell-Buck is my MP. She’s TWAW. She has stopped replying to my emails. She is up the arse of Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow and TRA. It’s a shame because she is actually very good on lots of other matters but she is definitely not GC.

Original poster
PuttingTheWordOut · 22/05/2025 19:03

titchy · 22/05/2025 18:23

You’re the one that posted the constituencies - do you not know why you selected those? There are plenty of other MPs who are GC so it can’t just be that, and they’re all over the country so it’s not based on how near they are.

Show quote history

I think that was just the text from the linked X post?

I should imagine those are known particularly receptive MPs, as I know they met up with Rosie Duffield previously.

But in my own personal opinion from the outside (not speaking on behalf of L Community), I’d say it’s probably worth raising the issue with any MP who might be willing to help.

OP posts:
titchy · 22/05/2025 18:23

Imnobody4 · 22/05/2025 18:12

I think it might be geography?
Actually looking there are 2 templates, the other is for any other MPs.

thelcommunity.com/email-your-mp/

Show quote history

You’re the one that posted the constituencies - do you not know why you selected those? There are plenty of other MPs who are GC so it can’t just be that, and they’re all over the country so it’s not based on how near they are.

DuchessofReality · 22/05/2025 18:12

You may need to visit him in person at his surgery to bypass his assistants though, who were fairly TWAW.

Imnobody4 · 22/05/2025 18:12

titchy · 22/05/2025 17:41

Why those constituencies specifically?

I think it might be geography?
Actually looking there are 2 templates, the other is for any other MPs.

thelcommunity.com/email-your-mp/

DuchessofReality · 22/05/2025 18:11

Have you tried speaking to Neil Coyle MP (Bermondsey and Old Southwark). The last time I spoke to him about such issues he was a sex realist.

He doesn’t have the best record as an MP in general, but he is very local to the venue.

EasternStandard · 22/05/2025 17:51

pontefractals · 22/05/2025 13:40

I think that would work well...

Show quote history

JKR is incredible.

Fgfgfg · 22/05/2025 17:46

titchy · 22/05/2025 17:41

Why those constituencies specifically?

They have sensible MPs.

RedToothBrush · 22/05/2025 17:44

titchy · 22/05/2025 17:41

Why those constituencies specifically?

Known GC MPs I'm guessing.

titchy · 22/05/2025 17:41

Why those constituencies specifically?

RedToothBrush · 22/05/2025 17:38

🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿

Imnobody4 · 22/05/2025 17:36

Wishing you all total success.
ts://x.com/dnalerinrehtron/status/1924842085972103454?t=hM4S3-TaXtmZebnz6lu0tg&s=19

Southwark Council is under @EHRC investigation for blocking our lawful, female-only lesbian space.
These 10 MPs can raise it in Parliament.

If you live in one of these constituencies — email them now. Takes 60 seconds:
Template + link: thelcommunity.com/email-your-mp

  1. Canterbury – Rosie Duffield
  2. NW Essex – Kemi Badenoch
  3. Devizes – Danny Kruger
  4. Runnymede & Weybridge – Ben Spencer
  5. Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner – David Simmonds
  6. Broadland & Fakenham – Jerome Mayhew
  7. Ashfield – Lee Anderson
  8. North Antrim – Jim Allister
  9. Gower – Tonia Antoniazzi
10. South Shields – Emma Lewell-Buck

If this were a male-only space, it would have opened yesterday.

https://x.com/dnalerinrehtron/status/1924842085972103454?s=19&t=hM4S3-TaXtmZebnz6lu0tg

RedToothBrush · 22/05/2025 17:30

Omg. Go go go!

They should go for discrimination 100%.

Original poster
PuttingTheWordOut · 22/05/2025 17:22

BeaTwix · 22/05/2025 16:30

I'm confused -the listed venue is the London College of Contemporary Music and is a private venue.

What has this got to do with Southwark Council?

It’s an empty space in the old railway arch next door to the music college - the Council is regenerating the arches to make them into community spaces, among other projects (but not for lesbians, obviously).

OP posts:
pontefractals · 22/05/2025 16:42

PuttingTheWordOut · 22/05/2025 11:30

Regular poster, name-changed as I told IRL people I’d be sharing this here.

L Community, a London-based lesbian group, has been refused a venue by Southwark Council on the basis single-sex spaces are apparently unacceptable. They have been offered a space for mixed-sex use, but are not allowed a single-sex venue, full stop.

The organiser’s Substack explains more (I’m just a random member of the group) and you can see more from the organisers via twitter or the website.

L Community and their supporters are meeting at the proposed venue site in Southwark this Saturday (24 May) at 1.30pm at 241 Union Street SE1 0LR to make some noise, and will be repeating the protest every Saturday at different local spots until Southwark complies with the law.

The event was advertised on Meetup, who then delisted the event on the basis it’s apparently discriminatory(!) for lesbians to try to meet each other.

If you’re in London on Saturday and can briefly pop down to Southwark for 1.30pm to support these women (all women welcome, regardless of sexuality), it would be much appreciated - the aim is to raise awareness and to make it impossible for Southwark Council and the media to ignore this.

Please also spread the word among your networks even if you can’t personally make it.

Thanks!

@PuttingTheWordOut I am going to DM you, please read it quite urgently!

BeaTwix · 22/05/2025 16:30

I'm confused -the listed venue is the London College of Contemporary Music and is a private venue.

What has this got to do with Southwark Council?

TheOtherRaven · 22/05/2025 16:23

Bravo that woman!

Straight to court. That should provide L Community's petty cash with a good solid top up.

NextRinny · 22/05/2025 16:19

The oil tanker is about to meet the lighthouse.

But the oil tanker identifies as a lighthouse

and it has drunk its own koolaid.

myplace · 22/05/2025 16:19

JKRowling 😍

IwantToRetire · 22/05/2025 16:14

Please also spread the word among your networks even if you can’t personally make it.

If you or anyone else who is part of organising this is on facebook would suggest sharing on LGB Alliance facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/LGBAllianceUK/

They have a huge number of followers who would see it.

Also https://x.com/ALLIANCELGB,

ItsCoolForCats · 22/05/2025 15:26

Gosh, I couldn't love JKR more

MarieDeGournay · 22/05/2025 15:18

Datun · 22/05/2025 14:38

Omg, she's amazing

Show quote history

Oh wow, I was only fantasising about the legal representation, not about somebody magical picking up the bill! That's brilliant!

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