@MouseyTheVampireSlayer
When I think about vulnerable groups I like to think of the most vulnerable people I have met and how it impacts them.
That's a fair point. I'm in no way trying to disagree with this. I feel pretty strongly that there should be single sex spaces available for women.
And I get that it shouldn't be women's problem to solve, but I do care about vulnerable transsexual people too. Many years ago when I worked at a DV hostel, we did have a transsexual woman staying. In that case they were extremely vulnerable in multiple ways and the decision to accept the referral was made after a lot of discussion and risk assessment including consideration of the other women in that house. It wasn't a case of men's needs trumping women. Everyone's needs were met appropriately. But that kind of thing was very, very rare. It needs to be handled so sensitively, and on a case by case basis. Which isn't really possible in most situations.
And no I wouldn't know who was post-op or not if they were in the women's toilets with me.
I feel quite comfortable to say I am a feminist and want single sex female spaces and also acknowledge that as things stand, some individual transsexuals would be put in an extremely vulnerable position if they had to use men's toilets/changing rooms etc. Yes that is a problem caused by men. We can still consider their needs as part of the whole discussion, I'd rather find a way forward that keeps everyone safe from harm.