hich allows men into women’s changing rooms. Much of this pressure appears to have come from one specific company.
The group “UK ACTIVE” have produced trans inclusive guidelines which encourage front line staff in gyms and leisure centres to “assist trans people to access leisure centres”, but which actually deny women’s right to single-sex changing space and “assist” men in getting naked in front of women and children.
Fearful of censure, or complicit with the group’s aims, gyms and leisure centres have complied almost universally with these guidelines. Now if women want to change and shower at the gym, their safety, privacy and dignity are compromised. The cruel advice from UK Active is, “a trans person should be permitted to use whichever single-sex area they choose”.
Objections will not be tolerated:
The Orwellian direction to gyms from UK Active is that:
You should adopt a zero-tolerance policy on any transphobic behaviour from staff or facility users … be prepared to challenge transphobic language, attitudes and behaviours. Explain your and their requirements within the law to the person objecting and affirm that you will be supporting your trans facility users. In terms of education other facility users direct them to literature online, link them with a local LGBT association or perhaps even consider running workshops.
The idea that women will be policed, bullied and silenced if they don’t comply with accepting men in their changing rooms is nothing short of horrifying.
It's reminiscent of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre farrago, when former (male) boss Mridul Wadhwa gave his opinion that rape victims unwilling to be seen by men (trans women) should be challenged on their prejudices, and made to "reframe" their trauma. So many people – well, men – so keen to tell women what they're doing wrong. And, usually, it's about not letting men get what they want.
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