In Australia and around the world, legislation is being introduced that replaces sex with gender identity. Advocates insist that there is no conflict of interest. But governments are not collecting data on the impacts of this legislative change. We're worried about the impacts on women of men using women-only spaces, including but not limited to: changing rooms, fitting rooms, bathrooms, shelters, rape and domestic violence refuges, gyms, spas, sports, schools, accommodations, hospital wards, shortlists, prizes, quotas, political groups, prisons, clubs, events, festivals, dating apps, and language. If we can't collect data, we can at least collect stories. Please tell us how your use of women-only spaces has been impacted. All stories will be published anonymously. If you know of other women who have been impacted, please encourage them to tell their stories too.
This site is run from Australia, New Zealand members of the LGB Defence, and supported by LGB Alliance.
I live near popular shopping hub in Tasmania Australia, and their toilets have been changed to 'men' and an 'all gender' toilet which includes the family and disabled signs. The toilets don't even say woman! It is a clear erasure of women's spaces meanwhile men's spaces remain intact.
I am the founder & CEO of an app for women, where women are able to connect to find roommates, give & get freelance work, lesbian dating, and emotional support. Women are also able to use the app to privately discuss their activism, religious beliefs, mental health, physical health, pregnancy, menopause and much more. The app is ensuring women have a strong female support network in the palm of their hand and can be heard by women around the world.
Because I created this app, I have been called a bigot, transphobe & TERF. I have been sent death threats, rape threats and general violent abuse. I have been silenced by media, institutions and organizations who have declared they will let me speak if I acknowledge that “trans women are women”.
The place I go to have refuge from this abuse is the female app I created. I never thought I would need it as much as I do, but like all women I need to spend time with women. I need the solidarity and support.
In the real world, I need female-only bathrooms & changing rooms. I need to know that the recreational sport I play is fair & safe. I want to know that women in prisons are safe.
My creation of a women-only space has led to abuse. But the women-only space is what saves me.
Went to pick up some new bras since a local store was having a Buy One Get One Free sale & I had a gift card. Picture this scene: an obese, balding, hairy, greasy looking man, topless in the lingerie department, trying on bras right out on the sales floor. Leering at himself in the mirrors as he kneaded his flabby, bra covered moobs; all but groaning & drooling as he'd knead, dropping a hand to his crotch every few seconds to dig & pull at it before trying another bra. I'm 100% positive he was masturbating right there. Afraid to confront him myself, I reported it to the saleswoman who informed me that he comes in regularly to do this and she is not allowed to stop him or ask him to leave or she will be fired. I'll be ordering my intimate wear directly from the manufacturer from now on. I'll never be able to un-see that. I'm scarred for life. Can you imagine being a pre-teen girl picking out your first bras, and being exposed to that?
