Jacqueline Perlin
Assistant News Editor
In addition to the women’s only swim time, the York Federation of Students (YFS) is advocating for a women’s only gym time at York’s Tait Mackenzie Centre.
Darshika Selvasivam,vice-president campaigns and advocacy of the YFS, said the YFS is trying to garner support for the initiative by having students, both men and women, fill out availability forms that show what times people prefer to work out, so that the women’s only gym time can be scheduled accordingly to meet people’s needs.
The prospective gym time will be in addition to the women’s-only swim time, which is held on Fridays from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm
“[The initiative] has picked up very fast,” said Selvasivam, adding that over 200 availability forms have been filled out so far.
Selvasivam indicated that the fight to secure a women’s-only gym time would be a continuing effort.
“This is an ongoing process,” she said, noting students who are interested in the initiative can sign an availability form on the YFS website or in YFS offices around campus.
Women-only swim time, gym time
About the Author
Its funny how things turn themselves around. Years ago, they had men’s only clubs. A bastion for men to escape the world (and family maybe) and hang out with their male friends and peers. In a world of equality and inclusionism, these clubs were demonized and forced (often in court) to be more inclusive and open their doors to everyone. Fast forward 30 years and we now see the opposite. Women only clubs are everywhere, cuz women just need time to “escape the world (and family maybe) and hang out with their (fe) male friends and peers”
I expect male-only gym and swim time to be forthcoming. We all know how much female eyes wander when their libido picks up. I, as a man, should not be exposed to that.
You can be as sarcastic as you like, but the reality of Canada today is that there are a lot of girls who, because of religious reasons, can’t work out or swim in front of men – this is not just Muslim girls but also faithful Christian girls.
I do believe there should be some men’s only time as well, because I know guys who are uncomfortable, thinking women are judging them in the gym.
The important thing to note is that the women’s only gym time would be in a separate area in the gym. Men would have to expect the same treatment, not to take over the main gym for their exclusive use for some period of time.