I am about to ID as a man

[YesItsADebate]

In 1.5 hours, I will be identifying as a gay man who does not conform with male gender stereotypes. I expect my local leisure facility to comply with the Swim England guidelines and agree that I am entitled to access the men-only swimming sessions, the male showers and toilets and to wear swimming trunks. I also expect them to re-educate any other man who objects to any of the above.

In other words, I have a meeting with the local swimming pool at 10 to see whether or not I’ll be resorting to topless swimming and public nudity tonight in an effort to prove my point that the Swim England guidelines are ridiculous

Wish me luck!

We could all swim breaststroke really slowly up and down the pond whilst chatting. Guaranteed to wind the actual men up.

I've just told my husband about this.

Rather interestingly, he was much more visibly annoyed at the thought of women in the men's changing room than he's ever been by my rantings about men in women's spaces. Twat.

I think you are brilliant OP.
I think I’d be up for doing something like this but am too nervous and not eloquent enough to go alone.

We need a mumsnet meet (in the summer) at the Hampstead heath men's pond. Tip off some friendly journalists. Invade en masse.

I'd be up for that - I said weeks ago that 2018 will be the year I tick "get arrested" off my bucket list !

Well done

Rather interestingly, he was much more visibly annoyed at the thought of women in the men's changing room than he's ever been by my rantings about men in women's spaces. Twat.

Sorry to hear that, terfy. I've suspected for a while that once it becomes mainstream, this issue could become as divisive as women's suffrage did over 100 years ago

Actually a little bit of period blood on a toilet seat, shower room floor on your towel, might have a far better ‘Fuck no!’ reaction, than women’s tits in a male space. Can you imagine the uproar. After all if it’s transphobic to be offended by a dick reacting in a ‘natural’ manner, then surely it’s transphobic to react to a ‘man’s’ period.

Oh YES!!!
No one should ever make a disgusting comment about a ‘man’s period’ ever.

Actually a little bit of period blood on a toilet seat, shower room floor on your towel, might have a far better ‘Fuck no!’ reaction, than women’s tits in a male space. Can you imagine the uproar. After all if it’s transphobic to be offended by a dick reacting in a ‘natural’ manner, then surely it’s transphobic to react to a ‘man’s’ period. Speaking about the female reproductive system in transphobic, is it not?

I was thinking this. I also thought it would be funny to not even use tampons or pads on account of them being 'feminine hygiene products' which, as men, we clearly don't need, and which it would be triggering to use. I wonder how many of us it would take dripping blood in the water, in the jacuzzi, and across the changing room floors for them to reconsider.

TrustNaeFucker, brilliant idea! I may do that next time I go to the city, the women's loos always have massive queues.....

OP, great. Good luck with it. If I were near London I'd dedicate Friday nights to you.

Actually a little bit of period blood on a toilet seat, shower room floor on your towel, might have a far better ‘Fuck no!’ reaction, than women’s tits in a male space. Can you imagine the uproar. After all if it’s transphobic to be offended by a dick reacting in a ‘natural’ manner, then surely it’s transphobic to react to a ‘man’s’ period. Speaking about the female reproductive system in transphobic, is it not?

In for a penny, in for a pound. Please, please, please let them gratefully pounce on my EA exemption prompting. PLEASE!

I love these brilliant creative protests!

Bloody well done OP, showing true Terfragette spirit! 😀💐🍷🍰

@YesItsADebate are you able to say which chain it is (by private message)? If it is the same as my local one I will get in touch with mine too.

I'm masculine in presentation (despite my squeaky voice!) and have been assumed to be a trans man before.

We could all swim breaststroke really slowly up and down the pond whilst chatting
Surely it should be cheststroke?

I've just told my husband about this.

Rather interestingly, he was much more visibly annoyed at the thought of women in the men's changing room than he's ever been by my rantings about men in women's spaces. Twat.

My DP has taken the news that I am a gay man very stoically. He's a bit bemused but will be lending me his trunks if required.

@Married3Children do you mean your manstrual cycle?

Please remind me what "EA exemption" means?

SweetWonderfulYou and anyone else who'd like to get involved as a group rather than alone, if they go with self-ID then you're very welcome to join me. I'd have your hairy man-backs ;)

Bravo! Brilliant work OP!

I love the idea of a day where collectively we decide to self-ID as a man and use male-only spaces

You should ask for them to provide a sanitary bin in the men's toilets as well.

yesitsadebate I salute you. 🤝

As a woman in a very male dominated industry, often the only female on premises (apart from the mice I suppose), I would be happy to join in. I must be a man already I’m so gender non conforming. Considering I get almost thrown into the changing room when I’m removing heavy duty safety overalls, even though there’s 3 more layers before skin. Meanwhile there’s a lot of striding about in boxers, looks like fun. Very much looking forward to getting a box to. I could keep snacks in it.

You are bloody fantastic OP!! Glad to hear your DP is so stoical about your Self ID

PollyBanana 'EA exemption' is the exemption under the Equality Act 2010 that allows organisations to have sex-segregated facilities and services, e.g. separate men and women's changing rooms and refuges staffed exclusively by women.

Link Equality Act 2010, Schedule 3, Part 7.

From my DH via email after I'd sent him this thread:

Men will SHIT A BRICK if they think women are going to be anywhere near their dicks in changing rooms. All dicks will wilt. Tell that woman I'll divorce you if she's prepared to marry me!