'Transwomen' (though not 'transmen' welcome at Ann Summers parties. Love balls.

[Defaultname]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9179371/Ann-Summer-chief-says-transgender-women-welcome-sales-parties-wants-empower-them.html

mmm ... I'm aware that 'choice' is not an uncomplicated business for many women.

YetAnother, I completely understand that and I respect it.

But do you think that the fact that some people can choose to invite both women and trans women to a private party to look at sex toys (or Tupperware or whatever) reduces that choice? Anyone is free to decline an invitation to anything, giving any reason they feel comfortable with. I thought this was problem free as long as the invitation clearly stated “women and trans women”?

I am happy to be told I am wrong if you elaborate.

I risk being deleted if I fully explain what I mean.

Have you read the TW thread and the experiences of women there who have been gaslighted, who sometimes live in fear and who are told that they are mean or transphobic if they do not go along with their partner's wishes?

Not all women act with autonomy because they do not have the capacity to do so - and I imagine that these parties would be beguiling and enticing for some of the partners of the TW's and the partners would particularly want other women and their partners to attend.

Got it YetAnotherSpartacus, thank you.

I cannot believe that we are living in a world where we have to consider these things.

Ironic that the company one of whose directors co-owns a football club with the Sunday Sport's proprietor should want to do this.

Bloody hell Spartacus you're right. I hadn't even thought of that.

Also now thinking of the person sent to facilitate such parties and what training they have had, or what they might be able to do if they realise they are facilitating a situation where a female participant is not comfortable, is not feeling safe and does not feel able to say no. It puts them in a very difficult position. We're back in the familiar situation in ensuring a mixed sex situation does not disadvantage of harm females where a female is most likely to be the one responsible, and has to risk assess who in the group is likely to be the emotionally and physically safest for them to say no to. With this likely to have to be a higher priority for a female in the heat of the moment than the real justice and policy.

Its again one of those situations where on the surface you think what's the problem? And then you unpick it and see this has the risk to go disproportionately and badly wrong for females, it's a sex based vulnerability that can't be helped without being able to talk about sex based issues and acceptance they exist, and that 'most of the time it will work out ok' is not a fair reason for female people to give up control and consent and have to just rely on hoping the males in the situation will choose to play nice.

Do you remember when life wasn't this constantly complicated?

Are Ann Summers reps still invited by a host to do the party in their house, or do they host their own?