Is it ok for men to be in the ladies loos if they need to assist a disabled wife?

[someoneelsesshoes]

Not sure if I’m unreasonable to have felt a bit strange about this.

I went to the ladies toilets in a garden centre and there was a man standing by the sinks. I immediately went to walk out as I thought I’ve mistakenly gone into the men’s. He then said sorry and said he was waiting for his wife. He was next to a zimmer frame which I assume was his wife’s.

I felt really strange about this but went into the loo as usual. I understand maybe his wife really needed help to get on/off the loo so dismissed it. She was still in the stall when I left. But when I left the loo I checked the disabled and it was open and ready to use (though maybe it was occupied when she needed it and it was an emergency).

I haven’t come across this before so not sure if we make this concession for male carers. I know disabled people need to be supported and maybe he’s the only one who can help her.

He was not breaking the law at all based on what the OP said, no.

Having more accessible toilets would largely solve the issue. Unfortunately, I doubt that will happen any time soon.

Ok thanks for clarifying. Yes a unisex loo is the best solution in that scenario.

I don't see any reason why he couldn't have taken into the gents.

Unlawful is different to criminal

So walking through whatever public space you're in into the toilet with your blood covered jeans is OK but the extra 30 seconds in front of the machine before you go into a private cubicle is somehow different?

Based on attitudes on this thread it would just be easier to make all loos unisex

No worries, I can help you with the point if you found it hard to understand. It’s that men shouldn’t be in women’s spaces as they assault and rape women. Some men, not all clearly. But some is enough. Ask my sister.

Blood is a biohazard no matter where it comes from.

Then please cite supporting evidence (again, not the EA).

Or just make men stay out of the ladies

it’s not difficult

Can you explain what you meant? About why you think an autistic child his mum deems incapable of going to the toilet alone 'probably can't go alone?

Ridiculous

Yes. I can’t believe I’m having to argue here about why I would feel awkward dealing with menstrual flooding in a ladies loo with a man there.

No, it’s a fact.

This thread has been posted on a Reddit trans thread hence all the biological men jumping on to shout out about how women shouldn’t be expected to have safe spaces.

Then you get the follow on argument that unisex single loos are also unsafe for women and that women must have their own room with cubicles.

Never happy. 🙄

Because they probably can go to the toilet alone

if not then accessible toilets are the way

Quite some obsessive paranoia going on there

My girl child didn’t want to be in toilets with boys

it’s the ladies. Her wishes trump his

I'm not a biological man and I'm sure many of the other posters who have sympathy for this elderly couple aren't either...

Please could you give me a reference or citation that says it is illegal for anyone of the opposite sex to be in a single sex toilet area.

Ahhh

This is nothing to do with trans issues though

If they could go on their own then they probably would, I can’t imagine a 9 year old would want their mum to take them if it wasn’t needed or that a mum would find it necessary to take them if they didn’t require the assistance

Of course it's a biohazard...why do you think you're supposed to wear protective gloves when there's a possibility of coming into contact with other people's blood.