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No Women Allowed

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A strange thing happened yesterday. I was asked to take part in a lunchtime networking event in Norfolk where a well known local businessman was speaking. This in itself is not strange, however when I enquired whether it would be alright to bring along my PA, as I usually do to such events, I was told that this particular event was ‘male only’ and that if my PA happened to be a man that would be fine. My PA is very much not a man.

I responded that if that was the case, then the event wasn’t for me either. I can’t imagine a networking event where it would be necessary, let alone acceptable to exclude women. I didn’t enquire any further about the event or the reasons it was male only. I don’t think I want to know.

I have to admit that I was still shocked an hour or so later and wasn’t sure it had really happened, but the email evidence is there.

Comments

  1. Anonymous10 June 2015 at 15:15

    This is shocking! :O
    Please name and shame the event so that I know never to go there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul Grenyer10 June 2015 at 15:20

      Yes, it's shocking. I won't be naming and shaming though.

      Delete
  2. PhilHibbs10 June 2015 at 15:16

    I'd have said "ok" and turned up with her anyway, maybe inviting a local journalist to come along and witness what they did about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul Grenyer10 June 2015 at 15:20

      Phil, I suspect you have bigger balls than me!

      Delete
  3. Anonymous10 June 2015 at 17:15

    This is despicable - it's 2015!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous11 June 2015 at 15:58

    Errr, why is it OK to have women only groups but not male only?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul Grenyer11 June 2015 at 15:59

      I don't believe I said it was and I'm certainly not involved in any.

      Delete

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