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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

WI (Womens Institute)

106 replies

janesmithsdog · 12/06/2022 20:15

They say on their website they are for women only, but does anyone know if the WI allow male bodied people who “identify as women” to join? I’d like to join our local one but this would be an issue for me. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
MenopausalMe · 13/06/2022 12:11

When I was younger I probably wouldn’t have seen a problem with the WI allowing transwomen to join. Now I’ve spent a career working with men and have finally retired I am all too aware why women need some spaces just for them. I attended some WI meetings a few years ago with a friend and enjoyed them but just couldn’t fit in the time with work & family so I was looking forward to joining the WI on retirement. However if I’m joining a mixed sex organisation I’d rather join a proper mixed sex organisation rather than one that is dancing around prioritising a few ‘special’ males

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 13/06/2022 12:11

Does it really matter if WI is no longer single sex. Personally I'd prefer it to go openly mixed sex. I'm very much a tw are not w but wi is a completely different situation to sports, prisons, refuges etc

GoodJanetBadJanet · 13/06/2022 12:12

Why do we insist on painting all women as victims?
Agree, hate that too

nightwakingmoon · 13/06/2022 12:14

Surely you’re missing the point, Bad Janet. It’s not women, but the males who are being portrayed as lonely victims in need of emotional support from women’s organisations here.

GroggyLegs · 13/06/2022 12:16

I'm astounded that the WI is the only source of companionship available to TW.

No book clubs, church clubs, walking groups, craft clubs, bell ringing, volunteering for charities, litter picking, language courses, art lessons, poetry readings, music lessons, no choirs, no knit & natter... Just WI.

Johnnysgirl · 13/06/2022 12:21

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 13/06/2022 12:11

Does it really matter if WI is no longer single sex. Personally I'd prefer it to go openly mixed sex. I'm very much a tw are not w but wi is a completely different situation to sports, prisons, refuges etc

Because like the Girl Guides, it was set up exclusively for women? There are any number of mixed sex social groups available if that's your preference.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 13/06/2022 12:24

if the WI want you include men then just be the “peoples institute” and have done with it. At least that would be honest

VeronicaBeccabunga · 13/06/2022 12:31

Does anyone know if the National Women's Register is still women only?
I did used to be a member but lapsed during lockdown.

SarahShorty · 13/06/2022 12:49

This reply has been deleted

We've deleted this post as it broke our guidelines.

BootsAndRoots · 13/06/2022 13:21

The WI do allow TW, but surely it's only going to be a problem if your local group has any TW there, otherwise what would the problem be?

Theeyeballsinthesky · 13/06/2022 13:33

God forbid women should have their own spaces just because they set them up that way and would like to keep them like that.

no apparently we have to be kind because men who feel like women (whatever a woman feels like) would be upset if they hear the word no

TastefulRainbowUnicorn · 13/06/2022 13:35

Why do we insist on painting all women as victims?…
transwomen… are exactly the kind of people that need companionship and a little extra kindness.

🙄same fucking PARAGRAPH. It’s so blatant. Fuck this bullshit.

Floisme · 13/06/2022 13:36

If I were the WI, I would contemplate a name change to, let's say, 'The Institute' and then carry on as before. I've a feeling that would effectively deter any individuals seeking validation and attention.

nightwakingmoon · 13/06/2022 13:42

They could call it something like “The People’s Institute” or “Institute for the People”. Or even…

The People’s Institute of Judea
Institution for the People
The Institution
The People’s Facility

I can foresee many possibilities. 😄

Letterasaurus · 13/06/2022 13:47

Floisme · 13/06/2022 13:36

If I were the WI, I would contemplate a name change to, let's say, 'The Institute' and then carry on as before. I've a feeling that would effectively deter any individuals seeking validation and attention.

Very true.

Letterasaurus · 13/06/2022 13:48

Boots

Obviously because you would never know whether your branch was about to become mixed sex.

PurgatoryOfPotholes · 13/06/2022 13:51

GoodJanetBadJanet · 13/06/2022 10:56

They are inclusive of all women though whether you like it or not
If you don't want to go because of that, then that's up to you of course.

Irony content here is off the charts. I think this contains 4 times the RDA.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 13/06/2022 13:57

I mourn the WI.

tiredvommachineasaurus · 13/06/2022 14:06

nightwakingmoon · 13/06/2022 13:42

They could call it something like “The People’s Institute” or “Institute for the People”. Or even…

The People’s Institute of Judea
Institution for the People
The Institution
The People’s Facility

I can foresee many possibilities. 😄

Don't you oppress me! 🤣

TinselAngel · 13/06/2022 14:16

Imagine being an elderly trans widow and your newly trans husband decides to join you at the WI.

Adelais · 13/06/2022 14:32

They do accept trans women but it’s unlikely you’d encounter one. Out of 140 groups in our area only one had a trans woman (I used to work for the WI).

Clymene · 13/06/2022 14:39

TinselAngel · 13/06/2022 14:16

Imagine being an elderly trans widow and your newly trans husband decides to join you at the WI.

I think that's exactly what happened in the case of their cover star.

Pinklimey · 13/06/2022 14:46

But what about Alanis Morissett levels of irony?

<think I might not be British any more, don't think I can do real irony>

Toohottt · 13/06/2022 15:05

@Clymene if that’s true then it says a lot more about the TW… some people hage no bloody shame!

Plet · 13/06/2022 15:25

MintyMoocow · 13/06/2022 11:59

I can’t be arsed with you lot, I was a feminist when a of you lot were still in nappies and I broke some genuine boundaries, which I’m not discussing here because they are outing. If you can’t be in the same room as a man of course you have a bloody problem, whether it’s for religious or psychological reasons, your lives are restricted to an extent where they are unworkable. But I don’t happen to consider that men and transwomen are the same thing anyway.

I have met a few people who feel they are born into the wrong bodies, they don’t want to play competitive sport or hang out in ladies’ changing rooms, but they do tend to be quite isolated and lonely. If the WI wants to welcome them then why is that a problem? Are we all so bloody delicate ?
Sometimes prejudice is just prejudice and needs to be called out as such.

Where did anybody say that they can't be in the same room as a man? Sometimes, I just don't bloody want to. The relentless fucking harrassment and assaults and comments and leering and domination from men from the age of 12 until now (mid thirties) actually really gets on my fucking nerves after a while. Every hobby group I have joined has been spoiled by a weird man in some way in the end. I'm around men all the bloody time. I am the only female in my family, I'm one of only two women in my workplace. Sometimes I just want to be with other women. I don't really have many friends and I am quite isolated and lonely. Why is an isolated, lonely man more important than me?