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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

The WI

8 replies

Pebbles16 · 17/11/2022 19:39

For some reason I have many Qs tonight. This is my WI one.
I have been a member of the WI for a number of years, I am early 50s, most of them are much younger (central London, definitely not Jam & Jerusalem territory).
I have a real issue that WI seems to be wavering on being a safe space for women www.thewi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/512499/Transgender-Policy-002.pdf
Subs are coming up, I love the community but do not agree with with the policy.
Don't really have a question, just inviting your thoughts...
Thanks

OP posts:
Rightsraptor · 17/11/2022 19:44

Could they define 'living as a woman'? This is especially interesting as they don't allow cross dressing males to join.

They might also like to note that 'intersex' people - an outmoded term no longer used - are not 'transgender'.

Thelnebriati · 17/11/2022 21:07

What's your local group like? Ours isn't very good, that's why I let my membership lapse. I might try again at some point to see if its changed. I don't think the WI has ever been a safe space for women, its a very recent concept.

Original poster
Pebbles16 · 17/11/2022 21:34

Thelnebriati · 17/11/2022 21:07

What's your local group like? Ours isn't very good, that's why I let my membership lapse. I might try again at some point to see if its changed. I don't think the WI has ever been a safe space for women, its a very recent concept.

@Thelnebriati the group itself are lovely. Really great activities and have made friends. Just struggling with the concept of men being part of WI

OP posts:
Rightsraptor · 17/11/2022 21:35

I'd wait until any TW actually show up at meetings. We can cause ourselves a deal of distress by imagining these scenarios, which may well never happen. They'd start to make it all about them which wouldn't go down well I suspect. I belong to a women's organisation and I think we have a similar policy, but the day a tw turns up I'm out of there.

Coyoacan · 17/11/2022 22:10

Well I disagree with the policy but at least it is not a safeguarding issue, so, if I were you, I would not leave a group that works for you

Gloriosity · 17/11/2022 22:13

I’d love to join but my local group has a transwoman in it and for that reason I didn’t feel I could support it. It made me sad as they look great but I can’t support a women’s organisation that can’t accurately define women.

ToGanymedeAndTitan · 18/11/2022 01:10

I'd love to join a WI group, don't think there's any near me though, I've had a look online and the nearest one isn't great to get to on public transport.
I wouldn't have any problem if there's a trans woman in the group.
They'd just be enjoying a hobby, just like me.
Sometimes it does come across just like discrimination.

postcardpuffin · 18/11/2022 01:18

ToGanymedeAndTitan · 18/11/2022 01:10

I'd love to join a WI group, don't think there's any near me though, I've had a look online and the nearest one isn't great to get to on public transport.
I wouldn't have any problem if there's a trans woman in the group.
They'd just be enjoying a hobby, just like me.
Sometimes it does come across just like discrimination.

Perhaps you think it should then be renamed the Persons’ Institute? Or what is the point of it being for women?

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