First UK legal case on female-only space

[UnimatrixZeroOne]

I wanted to share this because it really floored me.

A group of lesbians applied to Southwark Council for a small, disused council unit to run as a female-only community space. It wasn’t a planning application – it was a safeguarding-led request through the council’s own community asset process. They offered to pay rent and charges. They also said any suitable council unit would do, not just the one they first identified.

Southwark turned it down. Not because there was no space, but because it would be single-sex. That refusal is now going to court as a legal case under the Equality Act.

If the case wins, councils will have to apply the law properly when women ask for single-sex spaces. If it loses, it basically means councils can keep blocking us while handing out space to everyone else.

I find it shocking that in 2025 women have to fight in court just to have a lawful space of our own.

I am not aware of the case you’re referring to but how is it ok to have those men’s only clubs but not a women’s only organisation? That just doesn’t really make any sense to me

I am a man and I feel very strongly that if a group of ladies want a space where only females are allowed that is perfectly acceptable.

Hi! That's our group. There should be an article coming out over the next few days. I'll pass it on when it's out. But you're right. That’s the problem. Councils are still handing out arches to mixed or men’s groups, yet when it comes to women-only, they refuse. It makes no sense and that’s why this case has to go through court so the law is applied equally.

Thank you, that means a lot to hear. All we’re asking is the same right to single-sex space that other groups already have.

Sounds like another public body refusing to comply with the SC judgement. If the facts are as described, they haven't got a leg to stand on.

Any gardening required?