Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel sympathy to the National Trust volunteers at Felbrigg Hall?

539 replies

lucydogz · 05/08/2017 08:03

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-norfolk-40825660&ved=0ahUKEwjXzYeYwb_VAhUDB8AKHfOABAsQiJQBCJcCMCU&usg=AFQjCNESdvsFPzoWQVu_7i8WHq_3mutfKA&ampcf=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link
I'm pro-inclusion of minority groups, but think the NT should stick to doing it's job - looking after old houses. As most of its volunteers are retired, who might not want to be representatives of whatever right-on case the Trust decide to espouse,it's also short sighted of them to treat volunteers this way.

OP posts:
JoNapot · 05/08/2017 16:24

It should be optional.

It was far too heavy handed ( not to say counterproductive) to say everyone MUST wear this.

Imo The core role of the NT that volunteers need to subscribe to should be that of preserving and showing buildings, not taking a party line on sexuality.

The policy smacked of enforcing a supposed unity of thought by outward signs. It seemed quite unpleasant really.

User843022 · 05/08/2017 16:38

' a small rainbow badge isn't exactly a huge imposition.'

No it isn't a 'huge imposition', but it's the principle. Badges supporting causes should be optional not compulsory. Dress codes are totally different.

specialsubject · 05/08/2017 16:42

I am a volunteer for the nt.

There's no dress code, I try to be smart and tidy but I work outside so it is fleece and a waterproof jacket at times, heels and fashion gear would both be and look ludicrous. We don't get branded clothing, that is staff only.

Yes, we have to wear a name badge on an NT lanyard - that means visitors can spot me not just for the job but also as general help point. A brightly coloured lanyard would make it more visible. The badge also shows I am allowed in the staff areas, we don't all know each other.

I am conscious that I am giving talks about someone's ancestor as a representative of his generation. And that someone could be listening.

Ive no idea either visitors are gay or not. And sexuality is the least interesting thing about a person.

Regarding disability - the place does its best but when the only access in the house is a steep stair there are limits. People do get told what is accessible before they pay.

Saucery · 05/08/2017 17:05

My experiences of NT and disability were around easily fixable issues and in one case the attitude of a volunteer. One of the access problems had a simple fix that I was pleased to see had been used on my next visit and I have no idea whether the volunteer was spoken to or not as I said in my email I didn't want to know what action had been taken, just that the organisation were aware and further training might be needed.
In the interests of balance I have to say that blatant racism with no relevance to what we were there to look at was not at an NT property, but a Council owned one. Equality training needs to be embedded in the volunteer code of practice in any organisation.

BoneyBackJefferson · 05/08/2017 17:19

brasty

They are all important to someone, as soon as you force someone to wear them they lose meaning.

Its the difference between I want to wear it, and I was made to wear it.

And there are many shades of grey as to why people don't wear them/

BishopBrennansArse · 05/08/2017 17:32

I agree with what @justicewomen said at 10.55

BishopBrennansArse · 05/08/2017 17:34

Also what @brasty said at 11.55

BishopBrennansArse · 05/08/2017 17:41

But this is happening this year because it's 50 years since the legalisation of homosexuality. That was a huge thing. It happened because of the Wolfenden report, something the owner of this house was aware of having an annotated copy of said report himself.

So why is it a stretch that the NT want to link all of this - the history of the house, the Wolfenden report and the anniversary and commemorate it with lanyards and badges? It's all linked!

SomeDyke · 05/08/2017 18:07

it's 50 years since the legalisation of homosexuality
Not all homosexuals are male.......
And actually I find sexual orientation to be a most interesting thing about someone, usually because women, let alone lesbians, are under represented or not visible in so many areas. The more dykes the better say I and the NT should be an ideal location for laydees in tweed and sensible shoes but that could just be my Stephen Gordon fantasy.....

SerfTerf · 05/08/2017 18:38

So why is it a stretch that the NT want to link all of this - the history of the house, the Wolfenden report and the anniversary and commemorate it with lanyards and badges? It's all linked!

Yes it's a programme of events. Who said "a stretch"? I can't see who you're disagreeing with.

But that doesn't make the points about this particular property invalid. Does it?

specialsubject · 05/08/2017 18:43

somedyke the property I am at has many female staff and mostly female volunteers. I haven't enquired about who is gay, and it isn't on the application form....

I have no interest in who someone has sex with. Most of us do it with someone. So what?

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 05/08/2017 18:46

We don't ALL have to accept the fucking rainbow badge or flag or whatever else . People still have CHOICE FOR NOW !

Something tells me your issue with what the rainbow stands for stretches a little beyond a flag or a badge...

ParentingEnnuie · 05/08/2017 18:48

lucydogz

There is no apostrophe in its as you have used it

it's means it is

HTH

Saucery · 05/08/2017 18:50

ParentingEnnui don't be such a boring pedant.

User843022 · 05/08/2017 18:51

'So why is it a stretch that the NT want to link all of this - the history of the house, the Wolfenden report and the anniversary and commemorate it with lanyards and badges? It's all linked!'

So what? you still shouldn't make staff wear badges supporting any cause. The NT seem to have seen the error of their ways now anyway. I disagree with Brastys ' you wouldn't have a problems unless you're a bigot'' earlier bollocks.

Babbitywabbit · 05/08/2017 18:54

"But this is happening this year because it's 50 years since the legalisation of homosexuality. That was a huge thing. It happened because of the Wolfenden report, something the owner of this house was aware of having an annotated copy of said report himself.

So why is it a stretch that the NT want to link all of this - the history of the house, the Wolfenden report and the anniversary and commemorate it with lanyards and badges? It's all linked!"

Anyone else find this a tad patronising?
We're aware of the context. We're aware of the significance. Some of us just don't happen to believe that the vounteers should have been told to wear the badge. That's all. It doesn't mean we're bigoted, homophobic, unenlightened. It doesn't mean we must be straight and/or have no understanding of the issues around decriminalisation of homosexuality. It just means we think in this particular instance, ordering people to wear a specific badge wasn't a good decision on the part of the NT. A conclusion they seem to have now reached too.

Saucery · 05/08/2017 18:54

I do find it interesting when women remained resolutely unmarried and managed to inherit property. They were up against the weight of tradition and it must have been very difficult. Whether they were gay or not I don't know.

BishopBrennansArse · 05/08/2017 18:54

If they don't want to do it they can either choose a different role or take a break, surely?

BishopBrennansArse · 05/08/2017 18:56

@SomeDyke excuse me if I sound horribly ignorant I really don't mean to but wasn't it the fact in Queen Victoria's day lesbianism wasn't illegal because she lacked the imagination to work out how they might have sex? Or did I dream that?

Babbitywabbit · 05/08/2017 18:57

Myrtle- completely agree. In fact the bigotry demonstrated on this thread has been from
The minority who make sweeping assumptions about other posters' sexuality and want a 'one size fits all' approach to certain orientations

Saucery · 05/08/2017 18:57

They might not want to wear a badge. For whatever reason. Perhaps they are gay and disagree with the Trans element of the symbol? Who knows.

MaisyPops · 05/08/2017 18:59

I've not worn a pride badge this year or any rainbow garment/accessory. I assume that makes me a raging homophobe Grin

Though seriously, the volunteers give their time to help look after old properties. As long as they aren't spouting bigoted nonsense, I don't really give a damn abouy their personal feelings on sexuality. It has nothing to do with their ability to do their volunteering so why push people into wearing tokenistic bits of tat?

I'm very much pro gay rights but I'd take an issue with any employer telling me I must wear some symbol of my personal views.

BasketOfDeplorables · 05/08/2017 19:00

Well, yes they have that choice. But I don't agree it's good for that sort of choice to be the norm. It's very similar to 'if you don't like the dress code you don't have to work here' in relation to high heels and full make up.

brasty · 05/08/2017 19:01

In Queen Victorias time, and up until the 70s, lesbians were routinely committed to mental asylums for being lesbian.

User843022 · 05/08/2017 19:04

'If they don't want to do it they can either choose a different role or take a break, surely?'

They shouldn't have to Confused. Im surprised that a few people here think anyone should be forced to wear a badge supporting a cause. It's a free country you know. It's entirely possible to support causes without having to wear badges or a lanyard.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.