Women only groups

[ScarletSienna]

I am part of a group of women that attend organised meet ups to learn new skills, chat, listen to talks etc

A local men's group (who say they are inclusive and welcoming to any women that wish to attend) have rallied together to get our group shut down.

Can they do this legally? We aren't taking anything of theirs.

I'm really cross about this!

We had a men's group where I used to work. It was a MH org and the men's group appeared to be very helpful for those attending. We tell men to sort out their own problems and not expect women to do it all for them so I think in principle men's groups are fair enough.

The group OP is dealing with sound like a pile of MRA wankers though.

And men's clubs (golf, gentlemen's, freemasons ...) are a different matter - they are a way for powerful men to keep power and privilege amongst themselves.

Thanks for the support everyone. I can't give more info without making it really obvious which is annoying I know. The men's group meet and make things, have speakers and generally it's a place for people to learn new skills and develop existing ones. This is what we were trying to establish too. There's no longer a way for me to contact the lady who was running it as she has seemingly be scared off by threats but one was about how it was 'illegal' for fees to be taken by members even if we were making donations towards expenses etc. I can't even see the list of what the opposition was as the group page has been shut down.

It sounds like the person running the other group is pissed off that you won't be joining them (they are inclusive, after all) and so is maliciously trying to close your group so you'll be forced to go to theirs or not at all.

What a horrible way to behave

Weird. Have they never heard of the WI? Do they think that is (or should be) illegal?

is it like when the Swindon office had to merge with the Slough office?

anyway. all of this sounds bonkers.

and given that we're on the feminism board, transgender people will be brought up in 5,4,3,2...

I'm a member of a national women's group (not the WI) and I can just imagine the rage if another group tried to pull this stunt on any of our members.

It's a shame the lady who runs your group won't stand up to them as they don't have a leg to stand on.

Thanks for the support everyone. I can't give more info without making it really obvious which is annoying I know

Up to you but without all the information it does sound a bit bonkers. How exactly were they going to stop you?

Is there any way you could start the group up again? I'd be fuming that the men's group had succeeded in their intimidation campaign.