a shelter for all women, including men

A sign has gone up at the women's shelter I use that says:

'_______ is privileged to welcome and celebrate a diverse range of women. We pride ourselves on providing a safe space for all women. Any behaviour that makes another woman feel unsafe or unwelcome will not be tolerated. This includes transphobic remarks and purposeful misgendering - such as calling someone a "He" when they have clearly identified themselves as "she".'

"Unsafe" is a trans thing. It's men's feels over women's reals.

Problem being, the risk-averse exit themselves, and lots of the women who do still go to the shelter have that issue of being used to risk, and/or being quite unwell enough to not notice much, and/or having a substance or two to fall back on to just charge through things.

#australia #womensshelter #safety #vulnerability

man on meth in australian women's shelter

I am writing to tell you about how there is a transwoman who is still allowed in to the women-only free lunch place, even though he has been involved in three incidents (not at the shelter) - one that police attended after a girl had to fight him off with a knife. This isn't firsthand information but I thought you might listen.

I don't know the legal situation but apparently their funding is contingent upon letting the T in? We have a shower there! And a laundry, food, and programs during the day. It says "women only" in the literature. My friends from when I was homeless go there.

I went to complain about a simple run-in I had with this transwoman but the staff didn't listen, and worse, they corrected my language and speech. The lady said her boss would call me back, but she didn't.

Word is, this person is banned from the shelter, but the staff who work there can't or won't refuse him. All the frail and low-IQ women are basically not coming to the shelter anymore. During my run-in with him he hassled the staff saying that he was being discriminated against. I have a lot of life experience and am not frail about run-ins, but this is different. A man on meth in a female-only space is very unsettling. I have only been back once since early 2018, despite needing to for simple reasons like having somewhere to go.

#australia #womensshelter #meth #safety #maleviolence #homelessness #privacy

triggered by men in women's spaces

I have always been pro-women's only spaces. My friend and I went to a public toilet recently and there was a man there. He was wearing make up and a dress and high heels (some people think this is what a woman is). My friend, who is a rape survivor, felt immediately fearful. It was a trigger for her to see a man in a place that is designated for women because we need our privacy. I felt very uncomfortable as well because he was looking at us and looked angry. He was tall and big and had a frightening look. I felt fear and invaded in my space. It brought back the same fear women feel when they are not feeling safe. I don't mean to be discriminatory and I don't think I am but for me, this was a man and he was in our space and we did not like it at all. We don't go and invade men's toilets. I believe women are entitled to their own space.

#australia #toilets #bathrooms #survivors #maleviolence #safety #feat