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Comment by glouwbug | Hacker News Reader

Women's only gyms and hours exist already. If there's a need, and they feel safer this way, let them have it

> they feel safer this way,

What if somebody started a Whites-only gym because it made them feel safer?

Are there many assaults on uber passengers because they are white? Are there many assaults on uber passengers because they are women? There is your answer.

If Whites had, on average, 2.5 standard deviations lower upper-body strength than non-Whites, then maybe.

That's not why women ask for women-only gyms.

It's one of the relevant factors. It, and related facts, make it usually possible for a man to overpower a woman (and a predator self-selected for being somewhat above average in fighting ability might be confident of overpowering multiple women, or at least being able to get away in the worst case), which has implications for safety.

Women-only gyms are because women don't like being oogled whilst exercising.

Maybe some claim it's for safety but the fact they're often 24hr would decry that.

No one owes anyone moral consistency.

Your average woman subjects themselves to a spectrum of sexual harassment ranging from cat calling to approaches - or even worse - by just leaving the house. Imagine them in gyms in workout clothing, or night club dresses in locked vehicles. If the solution is to limit what they wear, we're part of the problem

The difference is the business structure. Women's only gyms are operated as private clubs, and must follow a very strict set of laws.

Uber is a public accommodation. It cannot discriminate based on sex. If someone wanted to start a private club where women joined to drive and be driven in a not-for-profit way, that would also be legal.

Honestly, thank you. I and many of my other friends have had this happen so much that we don't even react beyond an eyeroll, empty stare, or slight look of contempt for the perpetrator, when we tell each other the stories. I've had a ten minute drive in an unfamiliar city feel like an hour because a brief moment of conversation turned into a man repeatedly asking for my number, explicit details about where I live (not just the city, but the neighborhood, streets and even using phrases like "How can I find you if I visit?"), and my social media accounts. He did all of this despite clear, polite and repeated declinations towards his requests. He said things like "I'd like to be your friend" and further "I'd like to get to know you", and despite being firmly and clearly told, "No, thank you," each time he continued onward until the moment I stepped out of the vehicle. He was not subtle. It was very direct, and his tone sounded more and more frustrated as he persisted.

For anyone reading who has not previously considered it, please imagine what it feels like to be in a moving, locked vehicle you're not in control of, in an unfamiliar place, with someone who is much stronger and taller than you who's not respecting your verbal boundaries. What guarantee do you have it will stop there? What could happen if I truly upset him? How much more unpleasant could it become for me? Meanwhile, I'm paying for this. Even with the option, I'm still paying with the extra time I willingly choose to wait.

If people feel safer with white only gyms, can people have that?

Go and have yours. Like nobody stopping you

Civil Rights law

There are so many ways around that you really don't even need to bother with it, just don't be putting up "No Irish Need Apply" or such.

Hints: membership clubs, religious organizations (Gainz Я God)

Why does the same argument never work in reverse? When men want something for themselves then the same people say that that would be sexist.

We are all equal; it's just that some are more equal than others.

Considering that 90% of sexual abuse in Uber’s safety report was committed by men, it seems disingenuous to frame this as some unreasonably discriminatory “oh they just want to have their own space”.

For the same reason that white people wanting "White History Month" doesn't work.

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