New councillor wants to stop 'free mixing' between men and women

[SeaSwim5]

Independent candidate Maheen Kamran has been elected in Burnley.

As well as support for Gaza, her manifesto included a pledge to encourage public spaces to end free mixing of men and women.

"Muslim women aren't really comfortable being involved with Muslim men. I'm sure we can have segregated areas, segregated gyms."

Is this a sensible approach and important for inclusivity? It's notable that many anti-Trans activists advocate the importance of single-sex spaces.

However, some have raised concerns about the growing sectarian nature of UK politics.

Should we be looking to reduce 'free mixing' between men and women and create more single sex spaces?

Then I'm sorry your comprehension skills are lacking. As I said, you are not posting in good faith, simply parroting the TRA talking points we have spent years batting away. Your constant use of the phrase 'anti-trans' makes your agenda very clear. Go well.

Is this a sensible approach and important for inclusivity? It's notable that many anti-Trans activists advocate the importance of single-sex spaces.

did you mean "women's rights advocates" there, @SeaSwim5 ? One of the objections to men who think they're women in women's spaces was because some religions forbid it, and those women would be imprisoned in their homes.
So now the religious people are taking it up. Wow, didn't see that coming.

Just pulling you up on your phrase of 'anti trans activists'. Wanting solo spaces for biological women does not make a person anti trans.

People who speak up for that are not anti trans activists. They are wonens rights activists.

In the same way that people who like cats are not people who hate dogs.

If there's a demand for it, why not? However, I don't think there is a demand.

Reform talking points are going to infest everywhere - my Nextdoor in London/Kent borders has fallen - there's a nasty chill in the air and it won't be going away any time soon.

If you are Muslim and decide to live in a country that spaces are currently not segregated thats something that you need to put up with, why should the general population have to suffer in an attempt to appease a minority

“I can’t get worked up about one councillor with a few mad ideas (if indeed, they are mad).”

Well, I can - it’s always coming from one particular side. We have never had sectarianism in British politics, and I don’t want it to start now. I particularly don’t want the establishment of parallel societies within Britain. If women want their own gym classes, set them up - but public places? How long before we can only walk in designated areas of public parks because “Muslim women aren't really comfortable being involved with Muslim men”? It’s the thin end of a dangerous wedge.

pack in. there are British born muslims too.

@Sodthesystem

The term 'women's rights activists' is a subjective term though. Not that I necessarily agree, but trans women would say they are also women whose rights gender critical campaigners want to remove.

Unfortunately, this is the next logical step from single sex spaces. It isn't possible to just align with the far right for one issue.

Does she really want to stop free-mixing or just advocating for more women-only spaces e.g. gym, swim sessions, etc?

I think that’s unfair. Surely the point is if it’s designated as the women’s changing room it’s for women. If the service provider wants they can make it a unisex facility.

I get changed at different places with cubicles. I think where it is single sex space women behave differently. There is more nudity, just nipping to locker in a state of undress type stuff because there is an expectation of privacy from men, Even in store changing rooms the behaviour is different you open the door to see what your friend thinks, get help with a zip, go and have a look in the big mirror.

Unisex facilities you expect there to be men around and adjust your behaviour accordingly.

OP. I'm surprised you're surprised!

Well no, because privacy and dignity aren't really considerations in your average library so that argument doesn't make any sense.

Think about it - in one you’re fully dressed, the other you are wearing far less clothing with more flesh on view. Plus in the latter, you need to be in a state of undress for periods of time before and after using the pool.

How can you not see a difference?!

Gyms and swimming pools could offer some single sex sessions as those activities involve wearing skimpy clothes but I can't see any valid reason why council run libraries or theatres should do it.

I'll bite - I think that men should be excluded from women only spaces where it's a reasonable accommodation for women's safety or well-being - so changing rooms, prisons, hospital wards, toilets, rape survivor counselling groups, breast-feeding supports etc

I don't think that men and women should be seperated in the general public sphere - shops, gyms, libraries, schools etc, as it reinforces gender stereotypes which have never served women and panders to very misogynistic and conservative views, which will damage women's ability to fully engage in public life.

'Equal but seperate' never really works out well for the less powerful group.

That's not true. I have never seen anyone say trans people shouldn't have the same rights as everyone else. They just don't have the right to force us to play along with their fetish mining.

As well as support for Gaza?

Not wanting to shower with men has nothing to do with religion, religion isn't relevant. It's a safety issue.

Going to the grocery store with women only doesn't keep me safe and is an inconvenience.

I am not anti trans. I support trans men who need safe spaces in women's prisons and access to safe changing areas.

Because in some religions women do not wear things like swimming suits in front of men.

If a segregated space meets the criteria in the Equality Act, fine.

Gosh I wonder why those Afghan women don’t just identify as men then.

That poster either massively misunderstood you, or has twisted what you said - they thought that you were criticising women's outfits at the gym by calling them 'revealing outfits'.

It was obvious that you were talking about swimming pools - where it's common to wear a revealing outfit while swimming.

By "anti trans", are you suggesting that women who want spaces free of men are somehow prejudiced against trans-identifying men?

It's a massive leap from "we don't think men should be allowed in women's prisons, changing rooms and sports" to 'that's unreasonable or irrational prejudice'