M&S Colchester claim mixed changing is ‘completely safe’ for women.

You are absolutely correct. M&S plus lots of other providers might choose unisex for changing rooms. Many already have. But it’s been done by stealth and increasingly people will notice. Some retailers will realise they can differentiate by having single sex spaces…

As time goes by and the disadvantages might rack up against women, press stories will increase, women might choose to shop in store less or choose retailers who provide SSS. They’ll buy less. Which is unfortunate for retailers as women (esp with families) are the main drivers of retail spending.

I have already been thinking that I’d shift to buying vintage and second hand because of all this nonsense from retailers. If they don’t respect me then I’ll avoid spending my money with them.

I suppose eventually M&S might stop trading clothes - they’re already in trouble on that side of the business. This might be a bit sad but ultimately better for the planet when we stop buying crap we don’t need. I will probably miss Wilco more if I’m honest.

Back in the 1990s the outcry about mixed sex spaces in the 1960s-1970s in the name of progress in the NHS caused huge outcry - people really hate it. In time i predict that’s the sentiment that will emerge again …

I had understood that mixed sex could be offered as well as, not instead of single sex provision, unless the mixed sex was all individual, lockable, self-contained cubicles.

Hate to spoil a 'own teh terfs' moment, but it's not just signs.

No, as long as they have individual, self-contained lockable units.

Well, that would at least have the virtue of honesty.

What’s your solution for changing rooms and toilets in terms of design?

But mixed sex only facilities are highly likely to constitute indirect discrimination against women.

Indirect discrimination is defined as a policy, rule, or practice that applies to everyone but has a disproportionately negative effect on individuals with a protected characteristic, such as sex.

Providers have the choice of trans-exclusive single sex changing rooms with a "third space" or simply go for mixed sex. The latter is the most straightforward as it doesn't enable challenging people they believe are transgender which is a discrimination grey area. M&S just need to change their signs, and they are done.

There are many posts on X like this with posters describing stores they have visited. The Baroness asks for evidence.
Maybe some mumsnetters have such evidence.....

https://x.com/i/status/2067499529364963614

I dont understand your logic, by pointing out that men use women changing rooms, the inevitable solutions will be mixed sex changing?

So if we don't complain, we have mixed sex changing, if we do, we get mixed sex changing?

I don’t think it’s correct to say that all changing rooms will end up mixed sex. The Supreme Court judgment made it clear that there is no priority of one protected characteristic over others. That being the case, you have to consider the needs and particular issues of all groups.

When it comes to women, one issue that has been repeatedly taken into account is their reasonable need for privacy from the opposite sex and their safety too, particularly as there is evidence that they are more vulnerable to voyeurism and abuse in mixed sex environments than men, for example That being the case, failure to provide single sex facilities may be discriminatory.

On the PR front too, it’s not a good look for national institutions like M&S.

It's not a campaign against transwomen. It's a campaign for womens privacy, dignity and safety - rights we have in law which aren't being upheld.

HTH.

The Sex Matters campaign against trans woman has born its inevitable fruit in the latest EHRC guidelines. The easiest way for providers to comply is to offer mixed sex fitting rooms. You reap what you sow.

It's entirely reasonable to offer suggested changing areas for men and women, and open them up to others if they are single occupancy cubicles. Are they effectively mixed sex and trans inclusive? Yes, they are. The only thing that will happen if Sex Matters does more lawfare is that all fitting rooms will end up mixed sex.

And haranguing low level staff who have no control over company policy is a dickish, entitled move.

"Archie, you are a fuckwit who isn't running your company. Get your head out your arse and on the shop floor and see how your company is actually being run and why I'm having to write to you about this bullshit in the first place. You haven't actually answered my question properly and you are feeding me lipservice. Do I look stupid or something? Now, single sex is single sex. Its not changing rooms in the vicinity of. It could do with a sign like 'Men's', 'Women's' and 'Mixed' which is what the public actually want. You know, in line with both the law and safeguarding customers. Instead of pretending you give a shit about customers, actually give a shit about customers. Thank you old chap. Yours The Baroness"

Her response is so beautifully written

God I love that woman. She is polite, respectful, articulate, humorous, knowledgeable and like a dog with a bone. Girl crush over here.

The baroness response
https://x.com/Baroness_Nichol/status/2067240889747939610?s=20

"...our preferred practice which is to have single sex facilities..."

Well, it may not be actually illegal currently but stores, clubs etc could be leaving themselves open to civil legal challenges as well as to adverse publicity and local opposition, all of which are highly detrimental to the institutions in question.
And some of the examples given — self-defence classes can certainly be male only as well as female only, school sports teams likewise (plus mixed sex) swim sessions at pools can also be children only, seniors only, beginners only — need I go on?
So separate sessions are available in lots of areas for many differing groups, can I suggest that if you are lacking a male only group for something where you think it may be necessary, that you organise it yourself?

He totally dodges the question... how does he define "woman"?
If he uses the new modern inclusive version then this letter is complete BS

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Reply to the Baroness

https://x.com/i/status/2067178930247799110

No one should be filmed when at work and have their image posted all over the internet without their permission. Even if they are a MANAGER OF A STORE.

I have never in my life expected a standard changing room in a high street store to be a single sex space.

I do expect the bra fitting changing rooms to be single sex.

I keep seeing this Colchester M&S situation come up on social media and I think it embarrasses us. I haven’t seen MF’s letter but I’ve seen the response from M&S and I can’t help but feel it makes the gender critical movement (with which I am fully aligned) look like it’s full of bored agitators.

Thanks for this. I'm genuinely interested to know if there are cases when a transgender supporter has been harrassed and bullied. Not point scoring. Just want to look at them and see how they compared to the ones I know of from the other side.

He was doxxed by Anya Palmer, who for many reasons, should know much better than to do something which only results in harassment and bullying. If Jolyon had done the same to a female store manager we'd be furious and rightly so.

Yes, we do. We can see the comments and responses under every place it was posted/shared.