Can I advertise my massage service as women only?

[Yogayogayoga]

I have just qualified as a massage therapist and am ready to book clients. I advertised on Facebook as a mobile masseuse and within minutes received 5 messages asking for extras, b2b, or 'additional services' 🙄

I don't actually mind massaging men, but cannot be arsed with creeps pestering for sex. Would it be legal to advertise as 'women only, men by referral' or have a rule that states men must attend the clinic rather than my home (or theirs)? I've had a look online and found a rule which states that you can provide the service on a single sex basis to prevent inappropriate use of services. Would that cover me in this case?

I'm sure you can
I know a masseuse who only sees men if they attend as part of a couple. She had too many creeps asking for extras.

Sorry that pic is blurry, heres the link

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=sex-matters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Single-sex-services-%25E2%2580%2593-providing-a-women-only-service.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjB9u78wvKHAxVJVUEAHaCkJ2YQFnoECEYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1ndkXIlB-UOwZfnfhXHWLr

Presumably you are a sole trader, a self employed person, so the sex matters guidance will not be relevant to you.

What you are offering is a personal (intimate) service. So you are perfectly entitled to restrict your service to women only.

I any event you can just say sorry fully booked or not available, on requested time/date.

I am self employed, and pick and choose my clients as I see fit.

I think so
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/advertising_-_faq.pdf

Thank you everyone. I'll change the ad now. I've had another 3 creepy messages since starting this thread 🤮

This is mad! I didn't even consider you'd have to deal with enquiries like that as a massage therapist. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Men can be such weirdos.

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/advertising--_faq.pdf

Scroll to advertising goods and services and 'sex' and you're fine

Extract:

Sorry that you have had to deal with this

Sorry you’re having to deal with this but unfortunately it seems to come with the territory. I went to a lady who specialised in pregnancy/postnatal/trying for a baby massages and reflexology and her marketing was very clear about all that, and she still got these messages. I also remember seeing a poster up for an army wife offering the same service you do on the NAAFI noticeboard, and at the bottom of the ad she had something like “I am a professional masseuse and I do not offer sexual services”. So by all means edit the ad, it might reduce the number of creeps but I think you’ll still get regular ones trying it on. Some of them seem to get a thrill out of it even when they’re told to fuck off.

Thanks everyone. Yes, sadly it's part and parcel of the job. I used to run a cleaning company and even then I would get propositioned! Good to know I'm within my legal rights to refuse men.

Yes, you can. And that was how I used to know a massage therapist was a massage therapist rather than a prostitute.

From experience, a lot of the men that contact for 'extras' don't actually want to set up a meeting in person. They just want to harass and intimidate women over the Internet. Even if told no they continue to message to try and keep the exchange going.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the women who book turn out to actually be men.

@GoodVibesHere it's not happened yet but if they did it would be an immediate no.

Just make your add clear and block without responding. They get a kick out of you talking to them.