Transwoman on women's ward

[Sallycinnamum]

Had a minor gynae procedure today but nevertheless was very anxious leading up to it.

Was wheeled back to the day ward to be greeted quite literally (started waving at me) by a transwoman in the bed opposite me.

There was no doubt he was a man and being completely immobile due to a spinal anaesthetic with no underwear on I asked the nurse to completely close the curtains so he couldn't look directly at me.

Spoke to a nurse who confirmed it wasn't a mixed ward.

I am so upset. I felt so vulnerable especially as I couldn't walk so had to pee into a bedpan in clear earshot of him.

I've emailed PALS but I feel so bloody fed up of it all. Had a man next to me in the M&S lingerie changing rooms a few weeks ago and was made to feel like a total bigot when I complained to the staff.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, and good response from PALs.

@Unforgettablefire “Just relax Mx X, let your knees flop sideways,that’s lovely, take a deep breath in now.. Sorry? What’s this? Oh it’s called a speculum.I am going to take a peek at your cervix.”

It's actually crazy how scared of transwomen Mumsnet users are, when they probably encounter multiple of them a day.
They're probably serving you at a till, or are your doctor or (shock horror!) teaching your children and you're none the wiser hah.

None the wiser?

We'd know. We'd notice and we'd know, because men always look like men, even if they put on dresses and make-up.

I'd especially notice if my doctor decided to become a transwoman. He's been my doctor for eight years.

Hope you feel better soon OP and that you get a sensible response from PALS.

@Sallycinnamum I do not think i would bother complaining to PALS they are very far down the NHS food chain.

Personally i would complain directly to the CEO, and ask them why they are breaking the law, and i would require an immediate response if they wish to avoid costly litigation.

I have no issues with men serving me at tills or teaching my children. Why would I?

I had a day surgery for a gynae issue and was on the ward with (thankfully) other women who were having different types of day surgery. (Oral surgery, eye procedures etc.).

This transwoman certainly wouldn’t have been there for a gynae procedure. Absolutely no way.

Am quite bemused by it if they are saying it’s a female only space.
good luck with PALS and hope you recover quickly

To be clear the protection about single sex spaces for women is because men disproportionately pose more of a risk of harm to women then women to do towards men.

There are two reasons for this

1. Men are physically bigger, stronger and faster than women.
2. Most assualts on women by men are sexual which is why any place that a woman getting undressed and removes their underwear they learn at a very early age they are at risk. Therefore it is women who have to consent to be alone with a room with a man.

Humans cannot change sex. Gender is the societal expression of sex.

A Transwoman is an expression of the male sex. Therefore a trans-male will always be seen by women as a man, and men disproportionately pose more of a risk of harm to women.

Thanks all. I really appreciate the comments and I will absolutely report back.

Not this again, Women can always tell.

For example, I am one of the manliest looking women you could ever see. Not only do I have short cropped hair, wear no make-up, am broad and small breasted and only wear pants and plain clothes, I am also just over 6 feet tall.

I have never been mistaken for a man. Not even a quick double take in the loos.

They're men. They behave like men. Some are nice and some are predatory rapists, voyeurs, flashers...

Besides which, most women do not want to be in a state of undress in front of men who are not their intimate partners. This is not an issue of being "scared", "lol", it is privacy and dignity.

I couldn't care less if a transwoman is serving me at a till. It is not a single-sex space.

Apart from the sanitation, the viaduct, the roads, the irrigation, the education etc etc what have the Romans ever done for us?

You are spot on apart from the words to describe ourselves and our bodies and experiences, the ability to be same sex attracted, the right to privacy and dignity, the right to safe and fair sport, the right to our religious and cultural practices what has the trans movement taken from us?

Exactly this.

Most of them are probably alright, the same way most men are probably alright.

Some of them are violent rapists the same way some men are violent rapists.

None of them are women.

So sorry OP, it's a disgrace. I would also feel very uncomfortable.

Ah, I'm sorry you had this experience @Sallycinnamum .
You kindly reassured me the other day about my upcoming hysteroscopy under GA whilst taking Mounjaro, and said yours was today.
I'm sorry that your otherwise good experience was marred by this unacceptable decision by hospital staff.

I work with one who believes no one knows.

Even talks about 'transwomen' as if he isn't one.

Everyone knows.

TBH I thought a recent court case did put a stop to all this nonsense? WHy are the NHS still doing it?

Sorry you to had to go through that OP ❤️ I’m sick of all this now, it’s not about inclusion anymore it’s about taking away everything from women and making us feel unsafe and vulnerable but we’re bigots if we say anything.

I hope PALS helps you lovely x

The OP heard him telling the nurse he was trans and still had his penis. And she has eyes.

I know one of those, however, they also frequently moan about being misgendered. It's a sort of Schrödinger's passing.

it's actually crazy how scared of transwomen mumsnet users are when they probably encounter multiple of them a day lol. they're probably serving you at a till or are your doctor or (shock horror!) teaching your children and you're none the wiser hah

Not if anyone has working eyes and ears. If you believe this, you need cult deprogramming, but I suspect you just think you should.

Female day surgical ward, the OP happened to have had a gynae procedure

cisgender? 🙄