Can we stop a man coming to our women's group?

[AuthenticVoice]

Does anyone know what the UK law states about this?
It's a tiny local women's group, barely even regularly attended.
He's a middle aged bloke saying he identifies as female and wants she / her pronouns. The usual. He's also exceptionally creepy and acts out a lot in other ways.

Is it even legally possible for any women's spaces to refuse or ask such men to go somewhere else these days?

Our area is exceptionally well served with things for either men and / or trans people to join up with. I feel that it's a deliberate targeting. Ideas?

I don't have any advice except to be careful but I'm very sorry you and the other women are having to deal with this.

Not unbelievable at all, really, if this is how he behaves. People who have fulfilling and busy social lives tend not to be vexatious and combative.

I’m confused. There’s only 4 of you? Just cancel the entire group and meet up together privately like any other group of mates would do. No need to plaster it over social media or whatever, where word may get back

This is so sad. Why would a reasonable person want to join a group when others don't want them there?

It's a power play.

It depends what kind of group it is. If it's an informal group, you can choose who you want. But maybe it's different if it's run by the local authority or council or something?

The point is they shouldn't have to, they should be able to advertise the group on social media without a man thinking he's entitled to join.

The OP said about 4 of them on average, so I got the impression there were several women signed up but most of them don’t go every week.

Place marking for the day this happens to a women’s group I run.

I brought it up with my 75+ average age group and they were adamant it wouldn’t happen in our area. Im not so sure.

It is quite odd muscling in on a group that you know you won’t really be welcome in, so you have to question the motivation. Usually men going into women’s spaces (when they are not welcome) does give off a creepy sex pest vibe. Why doesn’t he just join a book club or something where there is no danger upsetting people?

This could work with such a small group provided the unwelcome guest isn't being invited along by one of the regular attendees. It's not unusual for men like this to have their access to women's groups facilitated by a nice woman who just wants to help the poor disadvantaged soul.

I would not risk saying anything to him at all.

Instead I would quietly temporarily change it to a mixed group. Ensure a male is temporarily appointed alongside the leader. Turn up with your husbands and male friends. He will not act out in front of other men. This is the only way to get rid of him.

😆

These bloody men. I left a menopause support group for a similar reason.
As it's a small group if possible opt to meet in a house rather than community space, if your organiser doesn't feel she can tackle him head on.

I love the idea of inviting husbands etc along - either instead or as well as regular female members. Wonder if the new joiner will still be so keen if he’s not the only male lady in attendance?

The freemasons seem to have no problems whatsoever keeping women out, they even have a bloke on the door.

Might be worth a phone call to their head office in Covent Garden and ask them how they understand the law to be for your similar dilemma? Number is +44 (0) 20 7831 9811

Hope you can easily get this sorted as there is only 4 of you.

A man wanted menopause support? fucking hell they really have no shame. The entitlement is unreal.

As he's got a beard, could you organise a speaker to talk about facial hair removal? If he's got short hair, a someone to talk about long hair care? How to check your partner's prostate? I'm not sure if it's that type of group though. 😆

Really? A transwoman wanted to join a menopause support group? I am definitely starting to have my thinking changed on these issues by a few threads I've read today!

That does rather support the narrative that women need men to look out for them though ?

This is a great response actually, I think this is the route I'd go down if I was the group organiser!

Breastfeeding support groups have also been targetted - and have capitulated. A trustee of one resigned in protest recently.

I think the organiser is hoping to keep it within the public realm and sadly that's the reason this situation has arisen.

I'm going to discuss all this with her and see if there's anything she can do.

It’s for the organisers of the group to make their rules on it.

It’s perfectly to restrict a group to one demographic. They can do that here. Sounds like they are choosing not to.

I think if it's a social thing and not a proper club or group as such then you can exclude whoever you like on whatever basis. Even if it is more formally run, there seems to be a basis in law for it being single sex.