Tennis club removed female from membership options to be 'more inclusive'

Tennis club removed female from membership options to be 'more inclusive'
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George McMillan

By George McMillan


Published: 23/03/2022

- 15:24

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:29

A member of Putney Lawn Tennis Club shared an image on Twitter of the club's website which would not allow her to select 'female' as her sex

A tennis club removed the option of selecting "female" as a sex on their website for members.

A member of Putney Lawn Tennis Club shared an image on Twitter of the club's website which would not allow her to select "female" as her sex.


Instead she had to select "female (including trans women)"

Other options available on the site were "male (including trans man)", "non-binary" and "other".

Julia Stephenson shared the image online and said "I am renewing my tennis club membership but am confused that my gender, ‘female’ is ‘no longer valid’. Putney Lawn Tennis Club has gone woke".

Julia posted what she claimed to be a response from the club after she complained about the change.

It read: "We have not removed female from our membership option, we have actually made the change to be more inclusive.

"Previously the only option was male or female but now we have expanded the options to be more inclusive.

"Sorry if this was a shock when you renewed your membership but hope you can understand why the change was implemented."

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Dominic Lipinski

Twitter users shared their disapproval of the club's decision with one person replying "Time to find a new club for sure!" others questioned what the policy on gendered changing rooms would be.

On the club's website they state: "Putney Lawn Tennis Club has an active and dynamic social scene which is renowned in the local area.

"We pride ourselves on core values of inclusivity and ensuring that the club remains a place where people always feel welcome."

The club responded to the backlash, explaining that it was a technical error that came about after they amended the options on their website in line with new NHS guidance.

They said "It has been brought to our attention that there was a glitch in the third-party digital platform (MemberMojo) we use for our annual membership renewals.

"This happened after we made some recent minor amendments to our membership wording to align with NHS guidelines, and we were unaware that the platform was also showing Female and Male categories as being invalid - something which is clearly untrue.

"We are disappointed that one of our Off-Peak Members chose to share it on social media before the glitch could be investigated and corrected.

"As result, this has led to many social media users with no connection to our club expressing unpleasant and negative views about the Club and its elected Committee.

"Putney Lawn Tennis Club is a successful and happy club which aims to be representative and inclusive for all people, and is a place where everyone is welcomed and respected."

Over the weekend Foreign Secretary said that it is “time to end” the questioning of Britain’s history and shut down “ludicrous debates” on pronouns.

Putney Lawn Tennis Club responded in a statement on their Facebook Page
Putney Lawn Tennis Club responded in a statement on their Facebook Page
Putney Lawn Tennis Club

Liz Truss, who is also the UK Government’s equalities minister, said the “constant self-questioning and introspection” needed to cease.

During the debate on culture, trans rights have come to the fore, with heated public rows over the ability for people to self-identify as a gender different to the one they were born with, and people declaring their preferred pronouns in written interactions.

The Foreign Secretary told the conference: “Now is the time to end the culture of self-doubt, the constant self-questioning and introspection, the ludicrous debates about language, statues and pronouns.

“Our history, warts and all, makes us what we are today.

“We live in a great country, a great democracy and we should be proud of it.”

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