It's official, Marks and Spencer have fallen

[MrsSnippyPants]

I know we have 'known' this for a while, but this is now their official response. How many 'inappropriate' incidents will be necessary before they see sense?

#BoycottM&S

I thought ‘it wouldn’t bother me’ when I was in my 20s and did martial arts.

The male changing area was flooded and we had to share (on the understanding that people used it either same sex or singley). I was all blasé and wandered in on with my sensei in there packing his bag. I really needed to change my top - I had a T-shirt on and had to get into my gear.

I hesitated and couldn’t bring myself to change in front of a man over twice my age who I knew and trusted completely.

We both um-ed and ah-eh, avoided eye contact, then I made my excises and left.

‘Don’t care’? Rubbish.

M&S didn’t used to have changing rooms until around 1990 as you could just easily return an item & try on at home

I’m confused. This was not a TW.

But literally a man.

An actual bona fide man.

There have been 2 (or 3?) cases now, where men pushing for this, shaming women for sensible boundaries, just as some here are doing ...

Have later been charged (surprise!) with sexual offences against children.

Boycott everyone who does this.

There are tiny dressmaking establishments (all female!) that need customers and it’s not as expensive as you think.

Find them. We have more power than you think.

to be fair to M&S they are one of the few that seem to have attendents in changing rooms, and they do indeed have lockable cubicles, which are both my main issues

"M&S shareholder here - when’s the next AGM?"

Me too LordProfFekko, good point. Maybe I won't sell them just yet......

Are there enough of us to form a GC critical shareholder group?

Well in that case, what would you rather happen - that a trans woman is forced to use the men's area?
Yes. But not "forced". If they are uncomfortable in the men's they can always try on at home and return it if it doesn't fit. Can't they?

The only thing I am going to miss is the cherry chocolates. My arse won't though.

Since they bought in the revolting vegan stuff (at the expense of the veggie choice) it’s not been brilliant. And the clothes!

M&S didn’t used to have changing rooms until around 1990 as you could just easily return an item & try on at home

Indeed. And if they reverted to that, we wouldn' be alarmed that they're expecting women and girls to put up with a policy that allows any man who "feels comfortable" to do so into the women's changing rooms.

Of course, they introduced changing facilities because they realised they'd sell more stuff if they did.

So are their loos unisex too? I hate public loos and only use them if really desperate.

I am also not sure if shop changing rooms have ever been labelled men and women, as such. I don’t think they have been. Again, it is more just convention. Men use the changing rooms in the men’s department and men’s shops. Certainly some thought should be given to how shops which cater to one sex only might accommodate the other, especially if clothing becomes less gendered. Obviously there have always been unisex changing rooms (eg those curtained spots at the back of charity shops).

Fuck M&S. they’re shit at fitting bras as well, they still do that add 4 and decrease the cup bullshit. No, just get the actual size of your back! Not going to miss them

"Not RTFT. Assuming this is re. transgender people in changing rooms? Well in that case, what would you rather happen - that a trans woman is forced to use the men's area? If the changing rooms can be locked, I don't really get the problem anyway. "
Well if the changing rooms can be locked - why can't the male use the men's changing room?

And since you didn't RTFT - no, it is re ANY man saying he'd feel more comfortable in the women's changing room and being ushered in.

Well said Michelle

I do not consent either.

Women do not exist to be used by men. I don't consent. There are many other ways to support and provide safety for male born people who are trans without providing the female population's bodies for their purposing. Because that's suggesting that women are less than human.

Excellent post, Michelle

It's over. We've lost.
No. We are many, we are 50% of the population. We will fight on.

Great post Michelle. So many powerful posts from women on this thread explaining (for M & S and the hard of thinking) just why enabling men to access sex segregated spaces is so offensive and dangerous.

*I think focusing on these minor things detracts from the real issues8

It is not minor...it is part of the ever increasing incursion into women's safe and comfortable spaces; making them less safe and more uncomfortable For all the talk of 'safe spaces' fro trans people - what about women?

Well in that case, what would you rather happen?

That people changed in an area in accordance with their biological sex.

That single sex spaces are upheld.

This would not bother me. Doors are lockable.

Well then males can change in the men's then can't they? What's the problem?

Excellent post Michelle

I don't have a problem with transgender people. I have a relative who has made that change, and a couple of friends who are transexual (their terminology).

I stopped shopping at M&S for about 20 years, but started again maybe 10 years ago.

I am qute happy to stop again, and I shall.

Late to this thread but just to recap I'm boycotting

M&S
Flora
Birdseye
Always
Cheeky Wipes
Kellogg's

None of it is a much of a loss to honest and I'm sure losing one customer to these (mostly) large companies is not much of a loss to them. I like to challenge this sort of this but the only way to make anyone listen to you is to withdraw your support or vote with your wallet and shop elsewhere.

If M&S's PR are watching this thread then I'd like to send this message. I have a long memory. Goodbye.

This would not bother me. Doors are lockable

Well then use the men's then.....you don't need to invade female spaces to feel safe, clearly.