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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Did anyone write to M &S Re changing rooms?

109 replies

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 18/05/2020 18:41

Baroness Nicolson wants evidence rather than heresay...

twitter.com/Baroness_Nichol/status/1262437703217528838?s=19

OP posts:
Lordfrontpaw · 19/05/2020 16:53

The odd thing is that the branches near me are frequented by women bulk buying clothes - and these are observant Muslim and Jewish women.

Now maybe they are hoping that these are shoppers from abroad who haven't heard that their rooms are unisex (and have their fingers crossed that they don't walk in to find men and women together), or maybe they have just been sold this story by a lobby group and actually believe this (although they must have lawyers - unless they are the ones who wrote the playbook of course...)

Datun · 19/05/2020 16:55

Ooh I sort of want the baroness to get the same copy paste shite we all did. I can imagine the explosion from here.

Me too. I'd like to see them be accountable for the word inclusive, when she's just listed all the women it won't include.

titchy · 19/05/2020 17:13

Wonder if she wants to take on Mermaids or GI....

Lordfrontpaw · 19/05/2020 17:15

My money is on the Battling Baroness...

boatyardblues · 19/05/2020 17:22

She sure is getting shit done.

She’s definitely putting lockdown to good use. I wonder if she’s got a big list ‘to do’ she is ticking things off each day. Anyway, she’s bloody marvellous. Keep on trucking, Baroness!

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 19/05/2020 17:28

I hope they do try to fob her off with the boilerplate, but just in case they don't I hope people who received it have sent it to her so she knows that they're talking to women customers that way.

boatyardblues · 19/05/2020 17:31

She’s definitely had copies - people have posted their M&S responses on Twitter.

SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito · 19/05/2020 18:08

Oh my god I love her! I was planning on forwarding my emails tonight but she's beaten me to it!

(I will still do so, just in case it's useful.)

Kit19 · 19/05/2020 18:19

I wonder if baroness barker thinks baroness Nicholson is being encouraged by far right evangelical Christians from America as wEll Grin

PronounssheRa · 19/05/2020 18:23

mobile.twitter.com/Baroness_Nichol/status/1262710247216553984

Also looking for examples of self id being policy in public bodies including the NHS

Angryresister · 19/05/2020 18:25

Done by email.

jhuizinga · 19/05/2020 18:25

I've forwarded my M&S exchange of emails (my concerns, boilerplate reply not addressing any of them) to her. What a breath of fresh air and energy she (the Baroness) is!

rednsparkley · 19/05/2020 18:37

I've sent her mine (and the shitey non-reply) I can't wait to see what reply she gets from them. I'm not on Twitter (banned) so hopefully someone will update here 🤞

SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito · 19/05/2020 18:51

I can't decide which i want more, for m&s to go back to single sex changing rooms, or to see what happens when the baroness gets some waffle about being inclusive and letting people change where they feel comfortable. Grin

TedsFederationRep · 19/05/2020 19:03

Well, she doesn't hang about, does she? Go Baroness Nicholson! And don't let up till you get the right response from that weasel-worded lot at M&S!

Jux · 19/05/2020 19:09

I know it's a big ask, but I can't read her letter either here or on Twitter. If anyone could transcribe it here I'd be so grateful. Thank You.

Clymene · 19/05/2020 19:37

Here you go Jux:

Dear Chairman

I write as a member of the Hose of Lords with previous parliamentary and ongoing charitable responsibilities for the safety of Women and Children against sexual violence, intimidation, trafficking and rape; and for their recovery from induced by sexually threatening or implemented behaviour. I incorporate similar aggression against boys and men.

My work spans a near 40 year period in elected and nominated parliamentary positions of relevant subjects. Prior to my first Election, I served as Conservative Party Vice Chair with Special Responsibility for Women. Earlier I held Director and Consultant posts with a large number of British and international children's charities. I write today on the Right of Women in the 2010 Act of Equality and on the misunderstandings of the Company which has incorrectly accepted as true within the wording of the Act.

I attach ministerial letters, Parliamentary questions and a Hansard report of a recent debate which you may care to share with your Board colleagues on single sex spaces throughout UK government provision. 7
I believe you may wish to follow the government's line and resume single sex spaces for the changing rooms in your stores which you thoughtfully proved for customer usage.

It appears that you may have been misled into accepting a wrong view of the 2010 Act on Gender Quality; these letters will correct your assumption as the Equality legislation allows no self-identification of gender giving your present practice of acceptance a different perspective.

I should add that while you undoubtedly believe that you are protecting children from abuse, since changing of clothes can lead to voyeurism, newer legislation (viz the upskirting Law) bring this laxness of provision into question.

A further point of importance is in the acceptance of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds in Equality laws across the spectrum. I am in no doubt at all that girls from most if not all minority faiths will find it more and more difficult to persuade their parents of the benefits of clothes shopping in your stores while their personal integrity may be open to accusations of lack of protection by their communities. Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and other less numerous faiths are clear and unequivocal on girls' protection.

I believe you will wish to review this policy too.

With very best wishes for the company's continuing success with these important changes.

Yours etc.

Clymene · 19/05/2020 19:38

I don't know what that errant 7 is doing there but please rest assured it was not in the Baroness's original letter. And any other spelling mistakes are mine.

Hermano · 19/05/2020 20:17

Bloody good letter by the Baroness. That's a great example of calling then a bunch of fuckwits in a subtle yet clear way. I forward to seeing their response

Sexnotgender · 19/05/2020 20:31

Fucking hell that letter is fantastic.

Clymene · 19/05/2020 20:43

which you thoughtfully proved = which you thoughtfully provide

sorry!

And yes, the more I read this letter, the more I want to buy the Baroness a drink. It's fabulous

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 19/05/2020 20:47

It is a brilliant letter, but I will not be surprised if the response is "but TWAW though and we must be kind". Depends who answers it I suppose and whether someone has the sense to let a grownup handle it this time.

Sexnotgender · 19/05/2020 21:03

I don’t think the Baroness will stand for a copy paste be kind letter.

SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito · 19/05/2020 21:03

I don’t think the Baroness will stand for a copy paste be kind letter.

Not do I, but I'd like to see them try it...

TheProdigalKittensReturn · 19/05/2020 21:06

I wonder if they'll try quoting politicians from the TRA side at her. Maybe Dawn and her gay giraffes.

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