The National Trust has sparked outrage after putting vegan tampons in the male toilets at one of their most iconic sites.
Male visitors at Sizergh Castle in the Lake District were left confused after seeing a large box of the complimentary sanitary products fixed to the wall next to the urinals.
The box featured the phrase: “Got your period? Don’t worry, we’ve got you”.
The free tampon dispenser was accompanied by a disposal bin with a male icon on display.
Male visitors at Sizergh Castle in the Lake District were left confused after seeing a large box of the complimentary sanitary products
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One pensioner admitted he was “confused” to find period products on display in the male toilets.
He told The Telegraph: “Entering the male-only designated toilet, I was confused. Pads and tampons were provided, plus a male disposal bin.
“There was a female-only toilet nearby, and both male and female facilities [were] clearly marked with a male figure and a female figure… not unisex facilities.
“I went outside and put my head outside the door. I wanted to check if I had used the wrong toilet. I was confused and it led to a great deal of discussion with my wife and friends as to why tampons and pads were put into the gents.
“I think it needs explaining as to what this policy means.”
The company claimed that the complimentary tampon boxes had been given the thumbs up from visitors and staff
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The tampons in the male toilets are supplied by Dame, a sustainable period product brand that says all its products are completely free from animal ingredients.
In September, the National Trust announced a partnership with Dame, which said would enable the charity “to deliver period dignity sensitively, sustainably and with a distinct aesthetic in keeping with our unique spaces”.
The company claimed that the complimentary tampon boxes had been given the thumbs up from visitors and staff alike, and bolstered the National Trust’s commitment to inclusivity.
Gender-critical campaigners have slammed the National Trust in response to the installation, claiming it has misread the latest guidance from the Supreme Court.
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Sex Matters CEO Maya Forstater said the member of staff who took the decision to put the tampons in the men’s toilets had “lost touch with reality and the law”.
She added that a move which encourages “people of one sex into a space reserved for the other sets the scene for unlawful harassment of the people who are meant to be there”.
Ms Forstater said: “If this National Trust site thinks its policy is progressive, it is deeply misguided. Authorising or approving people venturing into single-sex toilets for the opposite sex is not only against the law, but a violation of privacy and dignity.”
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that biological sex forms the legal definition of a woman.
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that biological sex forms the legal definition of a woman
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PAA National Trust spokesman said: “Due to the variety of places in our care, including listed historic buildings and remote car parks, and the needs of different visitors, we don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to toilets.
“We try to accommodate the needs of all visitors by offering a variety of facilities and hygiene products.
“We are committed to ensuring our policies and practices align with the recent Supreme Court judgment.
“We’re currently reviewing our existing policies to ensure compliance with the law and are awaiting the final EHRC guidance before finalising our approach.
“It remains a key priority for us to be an inclusive organisation where everyone who visits, volunteers and works feels welcome and respected at all times.”