Why are the WI now policing thoughts?

[Marmaladelover]

I posted about this on the feminism board but I am posting here because I think members of the WI who are not on that board need to be aware of what is going on

Last December the WI finally agreed somewhat reluctantly did to the court ruling to not allow transwomen (men) to be members. That said people were appalled at their statement saying the WI believed “Transwomen are women”, this was shown by the threads and polls on here at the time.

The WI have just written and published the updated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
which now states that

• Transwomen are women
• The WI offers support and fellowship to Transwomen
• That transwomen enrich the WI
• That all members must accept these values
• That all speakers must accept these values.

Link to policy https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/720327/NFWI-Equality-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Policy-April-2026.pdf

Moreover they have issued a new form that every member must sign in order to remain a member . (Photo of this attached when approved by mumsnet ) This says the member agrees with all policies including this one . Failure to sign the form means you can no longer be a member.

I really hope the press pick up on this post. If you are a member of a WI then please draw attention to this to your other members.

Even members of political parties and churches do not have to say they agree with every teaching or manifesto to be a member.

I thought the WI had come to its senses and albeit reluctantly were going to follow the law. This is a new low for them. I am not being unreasonable am I ?

Can you please explain how they are 'living as women daily'? I'm doing it by being a woman and not dying. How does a man 'live as a woman' because I suspect this is going to involve accessing women's groups and spaces and wearing the type of clothes that most women don't wear in the 21st century.

I don’t know what more you want from them? Trans women are no longer allowed to join.

If a transwoman attends a WI event as a non member, which toilets would they use?

It is a form of coercion if you are being told you have to hold certain beliefs or you're not allowed to participate.
It would be a big fat PISS OFF from me

@WarrenTofficier there are tons of places where men can meet including mens social clubs ,areas were traditionally men go like some sports places ,snooker halls and of course pubs.
Yes of course no women are banned from pubs but it's much rarer for women to feel comfortable going into pubs alone for a pint etc.
Then we have the classic men's clubs in London and the MASONS !!!
And many more areass.

My local group is desperate for numbers. They seem to be a particularly elderly branch. Problem is there are alternative groups about her, which seem much more attractive. They are focused on activities rather than telling people what to think.
I would like to join something like this but it won’t ever be the WI now.

I know, but don't forget those might not be totally welcoming to a man in dress. Much easier to muscle in on groups created by women for women that it is to set up the TransWomensInstitute

@WarrenTofficier very true !!

the gents

I doubt it. So so many women just seriously don’t agree or want to be bored by the anti trans behaviours of a few.

what do I want from them? For a start to stop pretending that transwomen are women.

As I said, perhaps time to move on, meaning from the WI.

Well I'd hope so, but wonder what WI policy would be, if they're maintaining that TWAW......

Ah so dictating what people think is ok when it’s what you think.

It's quite the eye opener to realise what men that couldn't get into the Masons do, isn't it?

I mean a transwoman who is or have gone through transition. That are going through a tough decision, with massive emotional and physical upheaval, because they truly feel like women and want to look and live as women.

Rather than a man who is saying he is a woman to get out of men's prison and get into women prison, for example.
I think there is a clear difference.

wanting to live and look like? Being a woman is a biological fact, not a feeling.

it’s not factual though is it? It’s messing with facts to say that transwomen are women. The supreme court has also stated clearly that transwomen aren’t women.

Alright alright it’s not coercive control - move on - it’s a shit show let’s focus on things like who on earth put this document together

We disagree.
You are 100% entitled to your opinion on transwomen joining the WI. I am to mine.
I cannot oppose the WI take on it. I agree.
And that is it.

you disagree that transwomen are men? You disagree with facts and human biology?

Yes maybe there needs to be a breakaway WI

How do you show the ‘clear difference’ in the two discrete sets of men you describe @MushMonster ?

Not a member myself, but I know at least four ladies who've left the WI over this ...and people thought the clue was in the title, "Women's Institute" not "People who want to call themselves Women"'s Institute.

Yes, and all the trans identified men would leave because where's the validation without the real women?