Not sure what to do about 'Women's Retreat'?

[Pebble21uk]

Hello, new to posting on these boards but do read threads at times. I could do with a bit of (gentle) advice please as to how to handle my situation.

I've had a really tough time the last 2 years looking after other family members. As a treat they have contributed for me to go on a 'Women's Woodland Retreat' at a well known and upmarket Retreat Centre near me. It was somthing I said I would really like to do after reading about it last year.

The retreat centre runs a lot of different retreats. This one is run specifically for women, attendees sleep in individual bell tents in a small area within the grounds of the retreat centre. There is a compost loo and a shower in the courtyard of the main building.

I read the info several times and I may be mistaken, but I saw no mention of who could attend and who it was open to. I'm sure I would have noticed. I booked last year and paid my deposit ready for this June.
I looked at the info on it again the other day (same web page) and it now says 'This retreat is for all women (as self-intentified) aged 18 and above.

I have no issue with trans women being on the retreat - I would expect it to be open to them. What worries me is the 'self identified' wording. Surely this can mean that any man can self-id as a way of getting into a women only space and the retreat centre can't say no!?

I emailed the center last week asking if the wording had been changed, but have heard nothing back from them.
I wanted to go to a safe, women's space. I am lesbian and it just feels more comfortable for me - especially as this is in tents and not in a building where you can shut yourself away in your room.

I'm thinking I'm going to cancel - I don't want to worry about something that should be a treat. And this isnn't a cheap thing - especially at the moment, the cost is a big deal for me and for my family.

Am I over-thinking this?

They need to change their language - remove the word woman , it's just retreat

I'm so sorry, glad the organisers are being reasonable about the refund. Unless I've misunderstood, they should have been more proactive in informing you when they fundamentally changed the profile of the type of people eligible to book.

I wonder if it'll wind up being a bunch of blokes in bad wigs and dresses, wondering where all the actual (whisper it) women are?

I doubt it - probably just women - in most cases inclusivity won't change anything - except the uncertainty , and sometimes ...

Well done for spotting the change in wording OP. I wonder where they got their advice from, Stonewall perhaps?
I would be inclined to tell them exactly what you wrote here “I just wanted a safe space with fellow women in beautiful surroundings where I could properly relax after a very shitty couple of years! “.

It sounds like they have chosen to go woke go broke.
I hope you find a peaceful retreat someplace else, it sounds like you deserve it.