'Carnage of concern and upset': the Guardian on the WI decision to stop men joining

At it's core, it's just such depressing stereotypical thinking. Masculine, 'butchy' women aren't allowed in the WI, but men who wear dainty skirts and lipstick are because they are less 'confronting'.

I completely agree WeeBisom. The WI likes to think of itself as progressive but it's the same old stereotypes and acquiesing to men's wants.

A lot of organisations and services worry they look outdated, stuffy, not moving with the times (e.g. M&S, BBC).
Modernisation, fine.
Pandering, breaking the law and not really understanding what you're getting into in your rush to remain relevant, not fine.

The clue's in the name. Just leave them in peace.

Ah yes, the "toxic, traditionalist" culture of making the Women's Institute for women only as opposed to a mixed-sex group. I was very disturbed to read that some venues have refused bookings because the WI has become woman-only. Apparently the venue did not feel comfortable renting the room because they are a trans-inclusive space. That's straightforwardly against the law! (Also the WI is trans inclusive as transmen can join, so this doesn't even make sense).

I was also astonished at this part of the article:

"Jules Mortimore of Wells Angels, a 125-member WI group in Tunbridge Wells that also plans to close, pointed out the ruling means transgender men could join WI groups.
“That is likely to be far more confronting and alarming for women than a trans woman,” she said."

This strikes me as pretty transphobic to transmen. What is 'alarming' about a transman? What on earth is wrong with a transman, a biological female, joining the WI? At it's core, it's just such depressing stereotypical thinking. Masculine, 'butchy' women aren't allowed in the WI, but men who wear dainty skirts and lipstick are because they are less 'confronting'.