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?

Yeah, it's the way it makes you feel when they say 'end free mixing'. It seems Orwellian.

The idea that the town has a high Muslim population, and therefore some spaces should have a female only area is fine. Gyms, libraries , even some educational facilities. So female and mixed.
Presumably women of any faith who are more comfortable around only their own sex could use that space, then everyone else of either sex the other.

But not actual outdoor public areas. With lines drawn down the middle or guards policing people of the opposite sex conversing? That's way too much.

There have always been segregated spaces for men and women - gentleman's clubs and one women's club - University women's club. No problem with that, only it was paid by private subscription.

Of course those who have non-UK allegiances are allowed to keep to themselves and their customs - but at their own expense. Not half a penny of public money should be spent on pandering to non-UK customs in the UK.

Well the moment you said 'anti-trans' your bias and agenda was made clear.

You're bundling a whole lot of issues for women together under a nice helpful label of 'bad stuff' because you know to separate them out and consider them would not help your cause.

Which is to end sex based rights for women.

How far away is this from sharia law?
Women have fought for equality and to be able to go to all gyms etc this is a huge step backwards and does not align with the freedoms of this country
I say this as the child of immigrants

Everyone assume the default would be women-only and mixed sex.

If a woman is precluded from mixing with men by her faith, and that is supported so she can have a women's only session; why would a man who is precluded from mixing with women by his religious faith not be offered the same?

I think a lot of mumsnetters support women only sessions, but they'd be pretty horrified if men's only sessions appeared too.

Think you’re trying to spin this as a trans issue to garner support here OP
It isnt

No one is taking their clothes off in Theatres. There’s no need for them to be single sex

Just responding to your last line.

I wonder if you are familiar with the old saying, "Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow."

I assume you're not.

As a facilitator, I have had experiences where single sex activity or social groups have been beneficial for both sexes.

I think it's definitely worth exploring contexts beyond toilets and changing rooms where single sex options might offer a better experience.

If you're a transphobe then it's ok, if you're a Muslim it's not. According to the MN majority. It's not what you do, it's who does it 🤷‍♀️

I’m happy we’re re-establishing single sex facilities due to Supreme Court ruling, but I don’t see that we should follow religious restrictions here.

What a ridiculous conflation of spaces there. The only places, other than refuges, or rape crisis centres,which should be single sex spaces are spaces which involve people removing clothes down to underwear.

Gym changing rooms yes, the actual work out areas, no

Yeah apparently they have some sort of rule about it?! 🙄

I have to get my books from Amazon now 😔

Don't worry everyone, Reform is coming to put the Muslims in their place. And the transfolks. And when they've done that, they'll put the disabled in their place. And women. It'll be great. 🙄

In a women's only section of the library do they pick books that they think appeal to women or do they just have two copies of every book- one for each section?

Or is it just a separate reading room where you take the books?

Genuine questions as a few people have mentioned libraries in their area have a separate section for women.

She is only talking bout “Muslim” men being problematic

If there was a need or a want for a men only swimming session I wouldn’t have a problem with it. Pretty sure there wouldn't be a demand though. There aren’t many men whose movement is restricted by women.

This is a Christian country. It’s not a Muslim country. People who live here should abide by our laws and customs, just as we should abide by other countries laws and customs if we visit there.

Islam needs to drag itself into the 21st century. Men have no such restrictions - why should women’s lives be restricted? We should not be embracing or encouraging a religion that is misogynistic in the UK.

I would actually love a man-free gym and pool.

On the rare occasion I see Muslim women swimming (usually at Center Parcs) I do feel for them in terms of the amount of covering up they have to do when exercising.

I know my Muslim friends would be absolutely elated to swim and exercise with their hair out, for instance.

For me, it would just be about not seeing men perving on girls in tight clothes, benches not being as sweaty and not feeling judged when using free weights.

Sometimes it's not about division, but more about common sense and what people want in terms of services.

We prefer our own brand of Christian misogyny!!!!!!!

It's not a christian country, it's a secular democracy. So there.

There are lots of private women only gyms springing up so there’s clearly a demand and I think that’s fine. It’s probably to do with more women getting into lifting weights I think. Often the weights areas in mixed gyms can be somewhat dominated by groups of men. However I don’t think taxpayers’ money should be used to provide segregated facilities as a matter of course. I remember seeing a documentary about NI a long time ago during the troubles. There would be a Protestant leisure centre and a then a Catholic one half a mile away. In some places there were even separate bus stops! We can’t afford to go down the road of providing tax payer funded segregated facilities for everything. In the UAE Muslim men and women will train in the same gym so it’s not all Muslims that demand/want this.

I'm a regular swimmer. There is a pool near me that is always very busy it's very hard to book space. But they have a men only session which is never full. I have no idea what this is all about.

@Smallmercies not correct, the Church of England is the established state religion of the UK. It is a Christian country.

https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/Search/Registrations

You can search for any terms you like.

But Aspire is mentioned here
https://thecritic.co.uk/political-islam-is-already-in-britain/

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is under the full political control of an exclusively Bangladeshi-Islamic male-only political party, called Aspire.

However the list on https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/English/Registrations/PP6713
gives
Nominating officer Mrs Shenaly Miah

The Church of England is the established church in England. Scotland doesn't have an established church (apologies to Welsh and N.Irish posters, I don't know what the pisition there is)