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If this case fails, councils will be free to shut women’s spaces

(43 Posts)
LCommunity Fri 15-Aug-25 21:33:33

I’m the founder of L Community, a women-only lesbian network. Earlier this year I applied to convert a disused council-controlled Southwark railway arch into a female-only lesbian venue. It met every legal test under Schedule 3 of the Equality Act 2010 – single-sex only, necessary for privacy and dignity, no mixed-sex access.

I identified specific arches that would work, but said I would take any suitable building if an arch was not possible. An arch was simply the most affordable and practical starting point. Southwark Council still refused.

They’ve granted arches to LGBTQ+ groups, but in our case claimed they owned none – despite their own asset register listing hundreds. They also refused to carry out the Equality Impact Assessment they are legally required to do.

I’ve now exhausted their complaints process and have appointed solicitors to prepare for a judicial review. If it succeeds, the ruling will set a binding precedent forcing every local authority in the UK to apply Schedule 3 equally for women-only spaces. If we lose, it will signal that councils can block these spaces with no consequence.

This is the legal test case that will decide whether women’s spaces in the UK have real protection or only exist on paper. If moderators are happy, I’ll post updates here as the case progresses.

LCommunity Sat 16-Aug-25 11:45:45

Mt61

Very important that that these spaces are protected- well done to you, I hope you succeed 🤞

Thank you, I appreciate that. If these spaces are protected now, they will still exist for the next generation.

LCommunity Sat 16-Aug-25 11:46:21

Lathyrus3

Yes. We’ve been captured too😱

All women need to stop using the trans lobby rhetoric and reclaim our own🙂

I agree with you. In court, I have to use language that stops the other side from redefining the terms.

LCommunity Sat 16-Aug-25 11:47:12

GrannyGravy13

Will look on the internet Lcommunity.

Men in a dress are not and never will be women.

Thank you, that is much appreciated.

LCommunity Sat 16-Aug-25 11:49:44

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to comment and show support. It means a lot to know there are women who see the value in protecting these spaces.

I will post updates here as the case moves forward so you know exactly where things stand.

OldFrill Sat 16-Aug-25 11:51:22

LCommunity

OldFrill

"biological women" is that how women describe themselves now?

Totally agree that 'woman' should be enough, but in court you have to use precise terms so councils cannot twist the meaning.

I realise that the legal terminology is one thing but for women in general conversation (or on Gransnet) to call themselves "biological women" seems crass to me. We don't speak in legalese in general life. If someone's giving birth do we congratulate them on a biological girl or boy.

OldFrill Sat 16-Aug-25 11:52:37

Good luck with your fight LCommunity x

Maelil Sat 16-Aug-25 12:00:09

It wasn’t in their remit to do this.

Parsley3 Sat 16-Aug-25 13:01:02

OldFrill

"biological women" is that how women describe themselves now?

How about cis women? Has that term fallen out of favour now?
A person whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth is transgender so I would encourage trans people to claim the word and use it with pride instead of expecting us women to change how we call ourselves.

Parsley3 Sat 16-Aug-25 13:03:19

PS Good luck with your case, LCommunity.

boheminan Sat 16-Aug-25 13:14:10

I'm a proud woman and I fully support your case LCommunity. We are Women, we are Strong...Hear us roar.

Cressida Sat 16-Aug-25 13:34:31

This is probably a wacky thought but how about adding a (silent) 'b' making a biological woman a womban since a womb is what (most) biological women are born with and biological men aren't.

LCommunity Sun 17-Aug-25 16:41:04

Sheebee1

I’m cynical. Shame the Supreme Court were unable to see they should put an enforcement in place. Maybe it wasn’t taken further to enable councils etc to continue to support men as women.

Yes, exactly it’s frustrating. That’s why I’m taking this route – to make councils actually follow the law.

LCommunity Sun 17-Aug-25 16:58:19

Parsley3

PS Good luck with your case, LCommunity.

Thank you, I’ll keep posting updates so you can see how it goes.

LCommunity Sun 17-Aug-25 17:08:57

boheminan

I'm a proud woman and I fully support your case LCommunity. We are Women, we are Strong...Hear us roar.

Thank you, really appreciate your support.

Madgran77 Mon 18-Aug-25 13:21:23

Contact LGB Alliance for extra support? They have a lot of experience in this area

Doodledog Mon 18-Aug-25 21:20:53

The trans 'movement' was (and doubtless still is) a movement designed to remove women's rights. That is not to say that all transpeople want to do so, but we are always being told that transpeople have been around for many years, and it is only since Stonewall and the 'movement' that the cause has been used to deny women the right to meet without the presence of males.

The language has been corrupted to the point that even the most feminist of women feel obliged to qualify the word that describes us. Even apart from the Looking Glass world where we are 'people who menstruate' or 'birth-givers', everyday words such as woman and mother are meaningless when all men have to do is recite a mantra and they can count themselves in, often with legal reinforcement.

We've had a mindbending few years, but now the law has clarified things. There is, of course, a pushback from those who are not used to being told 'no' (particularly from members of the female sex) so we have to stand firm and resist it.

Good luck, LCommunity. Does your campaign need funds? If so, why not post a link, so those who want to can donate?

charley68 Mon 18-Aug-25 21:54:51

LCommunity I am very keen on your post, and fully support women's rights, and it is dreadful that you are having such trouble with your council in providing your group with a single sex space. It is unbelievable that the government is not insisting that councils obey the law.
I am keen on hearing updates from you.