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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

RSPB again

108 replies

mopu · 12/01/2026 14:19

the RSPB are STILL organising walks for women, but including anyone who identifies as a woman.
They got lots of pushback from women last time they advertised walks like this. I imagine their team is activist heavy and don’t think the law applies to them:

https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/142397?fbclid=IwRlRTSAPR4cJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEenjf6ymXX5V2h5lLVJxwhO7mUalqpr8sy7ay0pyHoV3CvjpVhbfRYE3eDYj4_aem_Sdxu7EXLndHlk9ztqXGS-Q

OP posts:
Cismyfatarse · 13/01/2026 20:19

Are we the right type of birds? Or do they want male birds in female plumage? Or a cockerel with his cock chopped off? (An Erel?) What about hens? Can ex laying hens go on. the walk, or just cocks who wanna be hens and have never actually sat on an egg?

MarieDeGournay · 13/01/2026 20:45

FlayOtters · 13/01/2026 19:45

oh god give it a rest. or, better yet, organise your own bird walk and invite whoever you want. I honestly can't see how this affects you in any way. Don't want to go on the walk with that group of people? don't go. sorted.

But it's not about a bunch of us organising a bird walk for whoever we want, it's about the RSPB doing illegal stuff by naming something 'women only' and letting some but not all men join in.
That's against the EA2010.
In my universe, sometimes things are a matter of principle and not just 'can't be bothered to do anything about it', but that's just me.
Well actually it's not just me, I think that's the attitude of a lot of posters here - some stuff matters.

NotAtMyAge · 13/01/2026 20:49

DH and I have become interested in birds and I was thinking about becoming a member of the RSPB. Not any more. If one of our oldest wildlife charities is now confused about biological sex, I'll look for one that isn't.

musicalfrog · 13/01/2026 23:03

It's perfectly legitimate to organise a women's only birdwatching walk, just as there are women's only running and walking groups (or any other women's only activity!).

I can see the benefits, having spent some time birdwatching myself, it's a male dominated hobby and can be intimidating.

No point if they are going to include fellas though. We've been looking for a reason to cancel our membership, maybe the time is now right.

MyAmpleSheep · 13/01/2026 23:08

musicalfrog · 13/01/2026 23:03

It's perfectly legitimate to organise a women's only birdwatching walk, just as there are women's only running and walking groups (or any other women's only activity!).

I can see the benefits, having spent some time birdwatching myself, it's a male dominated hobby and can be intimidating.

No point if they are going to include fellas though. We've been looking for a reason to cancel our membership, maybe the time is now right.

I'm not sure that's correct, from a legal point of view. A women's only running group would probably fall under the rules for assocations; a single sex assocation is lawful.

The RSPB is offering a service to the public (I checked the website and this is open to the public); single sex public services are unlawful except in very tightly prescribed circumstances. I don't think this meets those circumstances.

Branleuse · 13/01/2026 23:10

What's the point of calling it a women's walk fgs. Why can't they just call it a nature walk and not make it gendered.

musicalfrog · 13/01/2026 23:14

MyAmpleSheep · 13/01/2026 23:08

I'm not sure that's correct, from a legal point of view. A women's only running group would probably fall under the rules for assocations; a single sex assocation is lawful.

The RSPB is offering a service to the public (I checked the website and this is open to the public); single sex public services are unlawful except in very tightly prescribed circumstances. I don't think this meets those circumstances.

Maybe if they are also offering a men's only option too.

I've seen our local wildlife trust do this also so I'm sure it can't be illegal.

MyAmpleSheep · 13/01/2026 23:37

musicalfrog · 13/01/2026 23:14

Maybe if they are also offering a men's only option too.

I've seen our local wildlife trust do this also so I'm sure it can't be illegal.

It's only when someone complains that it matters. I'd like to hear from someone more knowledgeable than me on the EA2010 and how it applies, to be honest.

LeftBoobGoneRogue · 13/01/2026 23:53

FlayOtters · 13/01/2026 19:45

oh god give it a rest. or, better yet, organise your own bird walk and invite whoever you want. I honestly can't see how this affects you in any way. Don't want to go on the walk with that group of people? don't go. sorted.

@FlayOttersyou have completely missed the point or you’re being deliberately obtuse.

ErrolTheDragon · 14/01/2026 00:30

musicalfrog · 13/01/2026 23:14

Maybe if they are also offering a men's only option too.

I've seen our local wildlife trust do this also so I'm sure it can't be illegal.

Organisations have been breaking the law, as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling, for years and unfortunately some are continuing to do so.

Single sex activities/facilities are legal if there’s a good reason for them. But ones which purport to be single sex but then allow a subset of the other sex … that’s not on. I don’t know if you mean your wildlife trust was doing the former or the latter (like the rspb)

musicalfrog · 14/01/2026 05:05

Must admit I never looked at the small print. Hopefully it was the former! Which I can most definitely see a valid need for.

Pingponghavoc · 14/01/2026 07:14

MyAmpleSheep · 13/01/2026 23:08

I'm not sure that's correct, from a legal point of view. A women's only running group would probably fall under the rules for assocations; a single sex assocation is lawful.

The RSPB is offering a service to the public (I checked the website and this is open to the public); single sex public services are unlawful except in very tightly prescribed circumstances. I don't think this meets those circumstances.

A swimming pool can offer single sex sessions without being a single sex association?

I can't think of a reason for a women only walk apart from attracting membership, i suppose that could be legitimate under inclusion?

LeftieRightsHoarder · 14/01/2026 08:05

MyAmpleSheep · 13/01/2026 19:14

Why is a mixed sex birdwalk less effective than a single sex one? How do the birds know which is which, and why are they less visible if men are present?

Some women feel stressed around men, as a result of having been harassed or assaulted. Many just prefer other women’s company, and find this more comfortable. Men tend to dominate mixed social groups. And I wouldn’t want to arrive in a lonely spot at 6am and find male strangers there.
Charities need to increase people’s interest, and a women-only walk is a nice idea.
It’s odd that the RSPB offers something for women and withdraws it at the same time.

lottiegarbanzo · 14/01/2026 08:31

This is a shame because there really is a place for women-only bird-watching walks. The reason is based in male/female socialisation.

Men can be terrible know-it-alls in mixed groups and interests like bird-watching, that attract people with a collector mentality, who may lack well-developed warm, inclusive social skills and can view anything involving lists as competitive, can be natural homes for the worst sort of noisy, know-it-all behaviour.

A walk for women, where all the people talking are women, would feel very, very different and would provide an opportunity for learning and enjoyment that doesn’t otherwise exist.

For that reason the relevant group for the activity is the sex class of women as female people who were brought up as girls.

Unfortunately the tendency towards collector and competitive mentality goes hand-in-hand with a rights-based perspective, not with a warm, empathetic, insightful perspective on DEI - and this mentality will be normal amongst their staff.

Lack of empathy means rights tend to be looked at from the perspective of the thinker - or the nearest example they can muster of ‘what might this be like for me’. If ‘me’ is a confident, competitive, rules and rights-based birdwatcher, of either sex, that doesn’t get them very far.

senua · 14/01/2026 10:01

It's coming up time for The Big Garden Birdwatch, "the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers like you take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring."

We should all participate this year. I have a feeling that in my garden I will spot a condor eagle, a dozen penguins, a pair of spiny babblers and a partridge in a pear tree. I wonder how the RSPB will cope when people mis-identifying messes up their precious data.

RSPB

https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch?mac=bwmith0230&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=bgbw-2026&utm_content=ppc&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23350271479&gbraid=0AAAAADLmW3hTfktKXZTpzUgMA0jAOtPDQ&gclid=CjwKCAiAmp3LBhAkEiwAJM2JUJZ7WFAVIzZ-5kqvvEy6Tq98lEcEdtmGGpciIX_klqDKYCnu55IL6BoCYDUQAvD_BwE

MarieDeGournay · 14/01/2026 11:22

That's a very thoughtful and thought-provoking post, thank you lottiegarbanzo.

SpruceWilloow · 14/01/2026 12:24

Email sent.

chocolateflyingpenguin · 14/01/2026 14:11

I can't stand the RSPB, and this unnecessarily divisive stuff pulling focus is among the reasons why. It's a shame because I used to be a hardcore lifelong member, but they alienated me years ago with their shift towards a very much more corporate style, along with the various other grievances I have from my experiences with them, seeing the way they waste resources and poor treatment of volunteers and staff time and time again.

justasking111 · 14/01/2026 14:15

Well as long as there aren't compulsory showers at the end I really don't mind.

KateShugakIsALegend · 14/01/2026 14:30

Have cancelled.

Their justification was they are waiting for the EHRC guidance.

Not good enough.

lcakethereforeIam · 14/01/2026 15:10

I've got what's probably the same response. I've sent a follow up. I'll be very surprised if they reply.

justasking111 · 14/01/2026 15:19

Our rspb doesn't mention this, there's bird watchers having events and kid friendly events. So I shan't be throwing the baby out with the bath water

Another2Cats · 14/01/2026 15:48

Hmm, I just had a look at where that is taking place - Sandy, Beds (just off the A1). Next Tuesday 10am - midday.

That's not too far away from us at all. Now that the WI thing is over I wonder if I should see if my DH is interested in taking up birding?

It's in the morning as well so he can join in before he goes to work!

hohahagogo · 14/01/2026 15:53

How about just not having any single gender walks, no need and seems odd to even offer them

HoppityBun · 14/01/2026 16:03

hohahagogo · 14/01/2026 15:53

How about just not having any single gender walks, no need and seems odd to even offer them

The exact issue of the thread is sex. Not gender

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