Waterside Arts Centre Sale clearly ignoring Supreme Court

[SigrunGard]

i was at the Waterside last night with my partner. The Women’s was marked “women’s” but then written on the door in large letters was something to the effect of please feel free to use whichever facilities” match your gender identity or gender expression “. Mentioned it to my partner who said the same was on the door to the men’s ( he said someone asked a friend what that meant and the reply was apparently” some modern bollocks” - hard to argue!)

I rather feel I should email them and point out that this is not right- anyone got suggestions for wording that doesn’t just make me sound bigoted!?

thanks

something to the effect

but you can’t actually remember? And this was last night . And you want to email them to complain .

Point them at the Supreme Court ruling and threaten a lawsuit.

Can you go back and take a photo of the wording? (& make sure you get the one on the mens loos too).

If you really want to complain you’ll need the above so they can’t say you misread it. Then something along the lines of

”Dear Waterside Management
I was recently at your centre and on using the toilets saw the attached notice.

While I understand that everyone needs to use toilets, the Supreme Court decision in April means that it is now a legal requirement to provide single sex spaces based on actual gender, not gender identity.

I would be grateful if you would let me know what plans you have to remove this notice and comply with the terms of the SC decision, to safeguard all users of the centre regardless of their gender. “

You could also link to the gov.uk site that has advice on how to comply now the law has been clarified.

But - be prepared for a backlash. Sale isn’t Canal Street but there’s still likely to be plenty from the militant trans groups around.

She's just said "words to the effect of". So she can remember.

“Match your gender identity or gender expression “ is verbatim and was what caught my attention rather than the preamble

Well no, she doesn’t remember the wording.

And the wording is important in this scenario don’t you think?

Did you take a pic out of interest?

Unfortunately given that we were going into the auditorium to take our seats for a gig it wasn’t possible

Sure complain
nothing to lose
but if agitated about signage in future, take a photo so you can be clear on the wording.

Otherwise could just be denied

I don't think the exact wording is the point here. It is the clear intention of the wording that is the issue. It is this that needs to be addressed.

Agreed

but unless you have the wording…. It’s difficult to comment because we have to take your word for the “intention”

and if you do decide to complain, it makes your complaint a bit…. Weak.

Best to take photographic evidence!

When you say wriiten on the door.....in what format? Handwriten on actual door? Printed on paper? Was it formal, or could it have been informally placed there by an employee?

It was actually part of the design of the door-WOMEN was written vertically down one side of the door and then there was this big statement taking up most of the bottom half. Not subtle!

anyway given that they held Pride in Trafford there according to their website it’s clear where they stand

F

I'd suggest replacing "actual gender" with "biological sex".

I've just looked on X and someone has posted a picture of the door from a year ago. It says "Visitors are welcome to use the facilities reflective of their gender identity or expression."
Clearly the Supreme Court ruling means nothing to them

'...actual sex, not gender identity' would be clearer.

do you have a pic?

what an utterly ridiculous statement. Cringeworthy

I’ve seen this too. I think you should contact them to point out that they’re out of touch

That's not a suggestion, that's a necessity, because that's what the SC ruling was all about: sex meaning biological sex, not 'gender'.

I think some posters have been a bit harsh with the OP for not remembering the wording exactly, not having the presence of mind to take a photograph etc - c'mon, she was just going to the loo at an event!

But the suggestion of going back and taking photos would be a good idea - both men's and women's toilets but if your partner isn't with you, you don't have to make yourself look conspicuous by going into the men's taking photos!
The fact that it is on either toilet is enough to make your point.

I'd keep the email brief:
The SC [date] clarified the law that sates that single-sex facilities have to be segregated by biological sex.
This was on the door of the toilets at your venue on ... , and it clearly contravenes the legal requirement for toilets to be used only by the people for whom they are designated.
I hope you are going to comply with the law and remove this notice'

something snappy like that.

Good luck!

What have you decided to do op @SigrunGard ?

It’s unlikely I can get back to take photos unfortunately- the venue is not local ( we travelled about an hour to get there)

Its not a notice they can just take down, it would mean replacing the entire door into the loos as the statement is part of the design. But I shall be sending an email along the lines of that suggested by MariedeGournay

were you threatened or assaulted by a trans person in the use of the bathroom, OP? You didn’t have time to take a photo so you weren’t there very long, fairly standard for a bathroom trip, I guess.

do you want this community space to have to yea their funding to create single cubicle toilets? Because a lot of theatres are listed buildings and this is pretty much impossible within building regs, which makes it pretty impossible for trans people to access without outing themselves.

threatening legal action to a community arts space that is more than likely well known for being a safe space for members of the lgbtqia community is wild. Enforcing another place where trans and non-binary people don’t feel comfortable feels a strange use of your one wild and precious life.

Bravo, social justice warriors, you’re outdoing yourselves, what a fantastic use of your time.

just a reminder… Segregation was legal. ‘no irish. No blacks. No dogs’ was legal.

Rosa Parks broke the law.

Let us know the response!

and next time if you see something like this that bothers you, worthwhile taking a photo so you can be sure of the wording

Mate, just pee in the men's. You'll be fine.