Nottingham Women's Centre admits transwomen
June 1998
Introduction | Policy statement
Trans women enter Nottingham Womens Centre’s “Women Only” space
By Sharon Haworth (Secretary, Nottingham Transgender Network)
The first of June 1998 will be remembered by Cherrie Button and myself as a large leap towards the acceptance by Women that we are indeed the women we claim and know ourselves to be.
The centre until recently had found itself "Caught between a rock and a hard place" over our request to be admitted to the centre, with with some women arguing that if we were admitted, this would be an invasion of their "Women only Space" and that transwomen were "Men in dresses" and the dilemma that transwomen were entitled to apply for positions in the centre for which they could not refuse on sex discrimination rules and added to that Cherrie Button was the Community Development Worker for several groups that met within the centre’s walls. i.e Bi-womens group and the Lesbian Centre.
Transwomen had entered the centre many times before but no actual policy existed for protected admission and with the occasional "Bad Experience" caused by one or so transwomen who behaved in a provocative manner, gave valuable ammunition to the opposing groups.
The Centre Managment Committee decided after an intensive consultation process with the opposing/supporting groups and NTN that admission to the centre would be allowed as from the 1st June 1998. (see Statement below)
1st June 1998
Nottingham Women Centre opened doors as usual at 10am, Cherrie Button and myself met with the centre management committee and the voluntry workers and arrange for several training sessions for helping the centre deal with transgender issues. The Sudden influx of transwomen that the centre had feared might happen that morning, didn’t materialise; Cherrie and myself were not suprised. The morning went well with open discussions on issues that both NTN and the centre could work together on. Basically the atmosphere was very friendly and it seemed to myself that the question had to be asked "What was all the fuss about?"
The Centre provides:
| Women only space | Training and advice | Computer Training | Hireable Workshops | |||
| Welfare Rights | Womens Aid | Asian Womens Aid | Black Womens Group | |||
| Rape Crisis | Pregnacy Testing | Lesbian Centre | Black Lesbian Group | |||
| Bi-Womens Group | Lesbian Line | Drop In Creche | Womens Library |
The consultation process did highlight many problems that the centre itself has to come to terms with: political, self definition and the worst problem of all — Blatant Bigotry and Oppression of women by women.
Individual groups can still bar entry into there meetings, however at this time one group only has expressed their opposion to transwomen entering their group i.e The Lesbian Centre, it is thought that in time this group will eventually agree to admission. NTN will continue to press for admission.
NTN will continue to help and advise the centre about these and other issues and with hope we can help to start a healing process that will benefit all.
Sharon Haworth
June 1998
NOTTINGHAM WOMEN’S CENTRE30 Chaucer Street, Nottingham NG1 5LP 30 March 1998 Policy Statement on Access to the Nottingham Womens Centre By Transgender IndividualsNottingham Women’s Centre General Committee, after lengthy and detailed consultation, has unanimously decided to allow access to the centre by transgender women, that is:
This desision has been taken in line with our existing anti-oppressive and anti-discrimatory policies and practice. Nottingham Women’s Centre is a Centre for individuals indentifying as and living as women full-time. There is no access to:
Self-Indentifying groups with the Women’s Centre retain the right to define criteria for attendance at their group. However, we encourage groups to consideer the position of transgendered women in relation to their group. Bookable space in the Centre will be available to all women, including transgendered women. The Women’s Centre Equal Opportunities Policy is under review and will take account of the position of transgendered women. It is expected that all women will continue to behave in accordance with the Centre’s anti-discriminatory policies.
Procedures of ImplementationNottingham Women’s Centre will become accessible to transgender women from 1st June 1998 Prior to this date:
Nottingham Women’s Centre General Committee, 30 March 1998 |
