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 was once at a bar with only one bathroom, which was gender-neutral. Whilst I have seen these at my university, I was baffled it was in a bar. As a victim of sexual violence, whilst I was desperate to go to the bathroom, I was so scared of the gender-neutral nature of the space in a bar being potentially dangerous for sexual violence. Because of this, and the fact that it was late with nothing else open around me, I felt my only choice was to leave & Uber home.
I'm currently at risk of becoming homeless due to family violence (male husband & financial abuse). I have a 4.5 year old child and the prospect of moving into women's housing is very distressing, especially considering that up until a few months ago we had a materially secure lifestyle living in an affluent suburb of Melbourne.
Sacred Heart Mission is the organisation that provides housing for women in my circumstances. I noticed on their website that they are a "women-only facility", however their website states explicitly that their services are for "trans and cis" individuals, i.e., they welcome men.
This made my stomach drop to think that I may be needing shelter my daughter in a space that men can also access. I am also fearful of sharing personal space with men due to a history of multiple rapes, sexual assault and sexual harassment by males (men). My daughter is also fearful of men due to witnessing her mother be verbally abused by a male partner.
Men using women's spaces does impact women. I am one example of this.
New hospital rebuild has no female only toilets. Only unisex. This is sex discrimination. It means having no access to a female only space. It makes me feel uncomfortable and discriminated against. I am raising this issue further.
