An International Women's Group which is actually for and about women and girls!

[MarSeeAh]

I seem to remember that there was recently a thread about women's or feminist groups we could join to meet like-minded women in real life. It did seem that the few which did exist have been infiltrated by TIMs.

Today, I met a woman from my local Soroptimist International. She has asked me to speak to them, after the summer sometime, about transgender issues - this was after hearing me speak today about the silencing of women, with particular reference to Heather Brunskell-Evans, Venice Allan and Jennifer James, encouraging people to read Andrew Gilligan's article in the Sunday Times, and the trade unionist attacked by TRAs on a picket line on IWD. She said that they have become aware that this is an issue which they need to learn much more about. They have had contact with a TIF - attending meetings I think, rather than as an invited speaker. I also mentioned what's happening with Girl Guiding, and she shared my concerns about that, and said that Soroptimists remains a single sex organisation.

I've now had a chance to look at what they do, and am very impressed. I've applied to join my local club, and as many of us here, like me, might not know much about them, thought I'd share here, and encourage you to check them out and consider joining.

sigbi.org

I just had a look in my local area not expecting to find a group. Turns out there's one that meets in my local pub will have to find out more!

Errolthedragon the map should work but maybe not with all browsers. If it doesnt work with a different browser try the postcode search.

Also just on a general note it did used to be that it was for professional (and retired) women and by invitation but as we have strived to change with times we have dropped these requirements as we aim to be accessible to all women who share our aims and who want to contribute to the work we do.

My local branch doesn’t appear to be single sex! This doesn’t actually surprise me

SameTerfdifferentusername all UK clubs are women only although we do include men in social events if members want to bring their partners. There are some clubs in the US who have opened up membership to men....

They actually do welcome Trans Gender Women, and have done for many years,

@giddy99 absolutely....anybody who identifies as a woman is welcome!

So it has been infiltrated by TIMs then. Of course it has! They just cannot let women have or do anything all on their own.

Like I said, not single SEX how very disappointing for those looking for a single sex organisation.

anybody who identifies as a woman is welcome! oh FFS! So they’re not actually a women only group. There’s me getting excited for nothing. How disappointing.

Their website says they are single sex? Does anybody know definitively whether that means born women not trans women?

Hmm. I’m beginning to suspect that the apparent acceptance of men identifying as women, isn’t actually happening in my local one. I see the words women and girls used a lot and no mention of TIMs being included. I would suggest that any women wishing to join can always send an email asking if it is a single ‘sex’ Organization.

PERF I strongly suspect it varies branch to branch, My one definitely isn’t single sex and like I said that really doesn’t surprise me ☹️

SameTerfDifferentUserName you should send them an email asking if there are any single sex women’s groups they can recommend. 😉 When they say they are, you can point out that they are a ‘gender’ support group and you’re really looking for a single SEX group. 😇

So this conversation seems to have taken a turn I wasnt expecting. I am not aware that any transgender females belong to the org but I wouldnt be at liberty to know. I was merely sharing my personal view of inclusivity as, at the end of the day, for me the raising awareness of the equality agenda and issues affecting women and girls is what is important to me irrespective of the gender of those taking action. Apologies if tbis offends but that is my personal view and not those of SIGBI.

I'm a fiftysomething granny, think I still have some life in me yet. The soroptimists look very promising, am going to look into my local group.

I am not aware that any transgender females belong to the org

Sorry do you mean women who identify as trans, or men who identify as trans?

Jenster72 So, as far as you know it is a single sex group? What’s the point of an organisation saying they’re single sex, then permitting men to join? They either are or aren’t single sex. I have the utmost respect for the Transexuals that post on here as they acknowledge that they are not women, but try to live in the way they think women live and go though the physical changes to do so. I don’t think men should be permitted to join a women only organisation because of how they ‘feel’.

If the aim of the organisation is to help women & girls then, for me, the issue wouldn't be so much trans women being admitted (though I do think why can't we be allowed our own stuff) but the subsequent derailing that could follow. So one TW joins, then a few. Next the focus shifts to trans kids, funding trans stuff .... moving miles away from the original intent.

PositivelyPerf yes as far as I an aware it is a single sex org...I have only ever met women members. Fundamentally our work is aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and that is unlikely to change in terms of our focus.

Jenster,
The group locally to me does have a Trans Gender woman in it and she is welcomed, She does not look Trans and actually never has, and has quite an important role locally. She has never been asked for ID, and no she does not have a GRS,

There isn’t one close to me but I have messaged the nearest one
However, if people with penises ( ie men) are allowed I wouldn’t be interested

The Soroptimists are a fantastic organisation working to improve the lives of women and girls, locally and globally. They do some incredible work and have been around since 1934. They are always looking for new Members to join their local club or as an Associate Member.

Have a look at their Facebook page www.facebook.com/SoroptimistSIGBI/or website www.sigbi.org/ to find out more.

I’ve checked and they’ve told me that anyone who identifies as a woman can join so it’s a no for me

Aww shucks, if they allowed only natal women in I would be chuffed to join.
Never mind

Oh well, another organisation purporting to be for women that isn't, another one off the list.