'Carnage of concern and upset': the Guardian on the WI decision to stop men joining

[RoyalCorgi]

When did the Guardian get so stupid? Is there something in the water at King's Place?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/14/womens-institute-groups-close-after-transgender-ban

Ah yes, the "toxic, traditionalist" culture of making the Women's Institute for women only as opposed to a mixed-sex group. I was very disturbed to read that some venues have refused bookings because the WI has become woman-only. Apparently the venue did not feel comfortable renting the room because they are a trans-inclusive space. That's straightforwardly against the law! (Also the WI is trans inclusive as transmen can join, so this doesn't even make sense).

I was also astonished at this part of the article:

"Jules Mortimore of Wells Angels, a 125-member WI group in Tunbridge Wells that also plans to close, pointed out the ruling means transgender men could join WI groups.
“That is likely to be far more confronting and alarming for women than a trans woman,” she said."

This strikes me as pretty transphobic to transmen. What is 'alarming' about a transman? What on earth is wrong with a transman, a biological female, joining the WI? At it's core, it's just such depressing stereotypical thinking. Masculine, 'butchy' women aren't allowed in the WI, but men who wear dainty skirts and lipstick are because they are less 'confronting'.

The clue's in the name. Just leave them in peace.

At it's core, it's just such depressing stereotypical thinking. Masculine, 'butchy' women aren't allowed in the WI, but men who wear dainty skirts and lipstick are because they are less 'confronting'.

I completely agree WeeBisom. The WI likes to think of itself as progressive but it's the same old stereotypes and acquiesing to men's wants.

A lot of organisations and services worry they look outdated, stuffy, not moving with the times (e.g. M&S, BBC).
Modernisation, fine.
Pandering, breaking the law and not really understanding what you're getting into in your rush to remain relevant, not fine.

'Carnage'.... reminds me of that film titled something like 'the twelve disasters of Christmas' which after watching, my family skeptically re titled 'the twelve minor inconveniences of Christmas'.

"Carnage" 🤪🤪🤪 how do these people even get out of bed in the morning

What is 'alarming' about a transman? What on earth is wrong with a transman, a biological female, joining the WI?

Nothing, of course, but don't expect logic or anything resembling rational argument from these people.

It's incredibly unlikely that a woman who has decided to present herself to the world as a man is going to join the WI. Why would she? And as you point out, if she did, it's hard to see why the other members would find that alarming.

It amuses me that we're often told that trans people make up less than 1% of the population. So how many are excluded under the new rules? Are there hordes and hordes of WI members who are trans women and are now no longer able to attend meetings? It seems unlikely.

The "carnage" of twelve groups closing out of "thousands of local branches". Google tells me there are 6,300 local WI branches. With so many branches I wonder how many close down each year anyway.

@WeeBisom

I was very disturbed to read that some venues have refused bookings because the WI has become woman-only. Apparently the venue did not feel comfortable renting the room because they are a trans-inclusive space.

So apparently the Crossroads Women’s Centre is refusing bookings for the WI?

Crossroads Women’s Centre in Kentish Town is a disability-accessible, multi-racial community resource. We bring together women from different ages, backgrounds and communities to share experiences, learn from and support each other.

How terribly supportive of … erm … women?

I promise you it isn’t more “confronting” than a man cosplaying as a member of my sex.

All these women sound like idiots.

It’s not a very balanced article is it?

Crossroads Women’s Centre are laying themselves open to being sued for discriminating against those with GC views if they refuse a booking from the WI on grounds of not being 'inclusive'.

l have it on good authority that one of these groups slated to close is doing so because they can't get the volunteers to fill the committee roles.

Women of a certain age have a lot on their plate. No shit!

Is it literal carnage, or just carnage?🙄

Call it Gender Critical if you like - I prefer the term Gender Realist - it's also a 'protected characteristic' under the Equality Act - so I'd advise that venue to be jolly careful as they're open to being sued. Do they refuse to take bookings from religious or ethnic minority groups? Would these WI branches welcome the double rapist from Scotland who decided he was a woman AFTER he got caught and convicted? Wouldn't want to join that bunch anyway - leave the WI alone, set up your own group welcoming whoever you like and leave the WI for real women. My mother spent thirty years volunteering for the WI delivering meals-on-wheels - they used to do an awful lot of unsung yet essential work for the local Community. They don't need 'fixing'.

I do agree with them though that NFWI have handled this appallingly.

I think the article speaks for itself. They should have ordered their paragraphs much more carefully to hide away the pertinent information. The BBC could have advised - they're very good at that.

‘Carnage of concern and upset’: Women’s Institute groups close after transgender ban

>

At least 12 Women’s Institute (WI) groups are closing or considering closure after the organisation barred transgender women from membership. Members say more groups are likely to close, and that the federation’s decision has opened up a toxic, traditionalist culture that will deter younger women from joining.

Branches said they felt forced to shut after the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) confirmed that, from April, membership will be restricted to those registered female at birth. Several plan to relaunch as independent social groups.

>

The WI is one of the UK’s largest voluntary organisations, with thousands of local branches and about 180,000 members nationwide.

If it wasn't so sad that a women's organisation is being impacted - to whatever degree - in this way, I'd say it's just another rather entertaining example of the hyperbole inadvertently exposing the weakness of the point being made.

It's unclear whether these branches are upset a) because this means that Sheila who has been a member since she transitioned in the 1980s and makes great jam will have to leave or b) they have no TW members but are utterly appalled that they'd have to reject any who applied.

I rather suspect it's b).

Is carnage worse than 'literal genocide' or not as bad or about the same do you think?

It wouldn't be 'trans' without a hyper-hysterical, exaggerated performance now would it. 😂

carnage
noun [ U ]
uk
/ˈkɑː.nɪdʒ/ us
/ˈkɑːr.nɪdʒ/
Add to word list
the violent killing of large numbers of people, especially in war:
The Battle of the Somme was a scene of dreadful carnage.

So how many thousands of members of the WI have been killed?

Seven Hills WI in Sheffield will also close after the current board decided to step down and no other members came forward. Clementine Dexter, vice-president of Seven Hills WI, said the group received about 220 abusive online comments after posting that they were closing. “Out of 250 comments, there were just 30 that were supportive,” she said. “The rest were really abusive and awful."
I'm reading that as 30 out of 250 comments want trans members to be allowed to join, and 220 think it should be women-only? They'll probably open up a new branch when the dust has settled.

The 'trans-inclusive space' bit jumped out at me too. This is something that needs nipping in the bud. Venues should not be able to bully the public like this, it's surely illegal?

Exactly in the scheme of things it's absolutely fuck all.

There probably is something in the water at King’s place because as far as I remember they had an infestation of mice, or it might even have been rats.

They’ve been bonkers for years and not in a way that I support, which was old-fashioned left.

The WI were happy to throw my great aunts out about 40 years ago (long standing cake related situation).

Maybe they should have just claimed a special identity and claimed indemnity.