Harvard limits gym use for muslim women - Page 2

Irvine511 · 03-05-2008, 11:58 PM

next thing you know, heterosexuals are going to demand separate showering facilities for homosexuals.

i think this is absurd. go running along the charles in your burka then.

meegannie · 03-06-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by indra
I don't see it as a big deal. According to the article the policy applies to only one relatively lightly used gym and it's for a very few hours a week.

A trial of six hours a week at the least often used gym doesn't seem like much of an inconvenience to me. I might actually go to a gym if it had a policy like this, if I weren't incredibly cheap. And incredibly lazy.

MrsSpringsteen · 03-06-2008, 07:04 AM

I see nothing wrong with it, we are all inconvenienced and/or accomodated in various ways on a daily basis. It's a gym, not a grocery store or an oxygen chamber. I can't feel all that sorry for Harvard students whining about something like this-get over it

As for the sexist angle well those are their religious beliefs and even though I think women are past that point there are also plenty of non-Muslim women who, as a matter of personal preference, don't feel comfortable working out with men.

Vincent Vega · 03-06-2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BonoVoxSupastar

No, this is true. Not the pool at least, but would Muslim women living this strict to their religion swim in public? I'm just curious, I've never heard either way.

We had this "problem" with some Turkish students who didn't want to take part in the swimming exercises in school. Then, one person designed a swimming suit for girls that covers arms and legs either, which was a good compromise for most. Just one or two times I've read of a pool guard refusing to let those girls swim because they felt the suit wasn't safe enough. But as far as I know this was solved.

Quote:

Originally posted by financeguy

Right. Well I may have misunderstood you in that case.

You would therefore disapprove of the legal situation in, for example, Ireland, where if I opened a bar or restaurant, designated smoking and non-smoking sections, obtained written confirmations from all patrons and staff that they did not object to encountering tobacco smoke in the establishment, I'd still be breaking the law, and would be subject to heavy fines and/or having my establishment shut down by officers of the state?

They should reconsider that law in my eyes.

Irvine511 · 03-06-2008, 09:04 AM

i'm a gay man. female breasts make me uncomfortable. when they are exposed to me, as they are at public swimming pools and on beaches in Europe, i get uncomfortable.

there should be special hours for me to go swimming where i'm not in danger of being exposed to naked female breasts.

vaz02 · 03-06-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Irvine511
i'm a gay man. female breasts make me uncomfortable. when they are exposed to me, as they are at public swimming pools and on beaches in Europe, i get uncomfortable.

there should be special hours for me to go swimming where i'm not in danger of being exposed to naked female breasts.

I totally agree. Everyone will want seperate rules and accomodation now ( i know i would ).

Vincent Vega · 03-06-2008, 09:16 AM

In the former GDR nudism was perfectly normal and many tourists on Rugia hence went around naked when at the beach.
Since the borders are open more and more west German tourists visited Rugia each year and demanded nudism to be abolished or strictly limited to certain parts of the beaches because the wouldn't accept to be around naked people.

Liesje · 03-06-2008, 10:25 AM

The facts that it's only a few hours a week and it's an intramural gym makes me think....who cares? Our intramural gym time is split up for various user groups, and we only have ONE gym. I don't like any of the groups/activities that have gym time....so I don't go, big deal. I don't care enough to whine like a baby and try to get the other activities canceled because they don't include me.

Maybe a better compromise would have been to open the gym for these women at a time it was previously closed, thus the others could not complain their time was being cut, but still....it's just a few hours.

Irvine511 · 03-06-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liesje
The facts that it's only a few hours a week and it's an intramural gym makes me think....who cares?

looking at the practicalities of the situation, i can see that this might be possible and might not inconvenience anyone. and then so be it.

but from an ideological standpoint, i think it's kind of crap.

i'm sure that someone might make a killing with a Muslim-style Curves. if there's a demand, by all means, go for it.

Liesje · 03-06-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Irvine511
looking at the practicalities of the situation, i can see that this might be possible and might not inconvenience anyone. and then so be it.

but from an ideological standpoint, i think it's kind of crap.

Actually I agree I just don't see how anyone can care enough at this point. If people start abusing it and claiming they need private gym time for this reason or that reason, then yes, adopt an all-or-nothing policy, but so many universities have countless intramural groups and gyms set aside for specific use at allotted times and they get by just fine... They should either accommodate various groups/activities within reason, or not accommodate anyone. Our school had a women's volleyball intramural using the gym and the guys were upset so they started their own league.

To me there's a difference in wanting to have your own group and being denied while others aren't, and simply thinking something is a dumb idea and it shouldn't happen b/c of what you think. I think football is kinda dumb and will say so when asked, but that doesn't mean the football intramural should lose their time slots in the gym.

Headache in a Suitcase · 03-06-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Irvine511
i'm a gay man. female breasts make me uncomfortable. when they are exposed to me, as they are at public swimming pools and on beaches in Europe, i get uncomfortable.

there should be special hours for me to go swimming where i'm not in danger of being exposed to naked female breasts.

where are these public swimming pools of which you speak...

Liesje · 03-06-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Irvine511
i'm a gay man. female breasts make me uncomfortable. when they are exposed to me, as they are at public swimming pools and on beaches in Europe, i get uncomfortable.

there should be special hours for me to go swimming where i'm not in danger of being exposed to naked female breasts.

Actually at our athletic facility you can't wear bikinis and that sort of thing in the athletic pool. I *think* women have to wear one-pieces but I'm not sure since I don't swim.

BrownEyedBoy · 03-06-2008, 10:49 AM

This only means that I can go to Harvard and come up with a new religion that says that if I don´t workout on my own it will affect my modesty so they must close a gym for a few hours just for me. It´s no biggie. Just a few hourse really.

Headache in a Suitcase · 03-06-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BrownEyedBoy
This only means that I can go to Harvard and come up with a new religion that says that if I don´t workout on my own it will affect my modesty so they must close a gym for a few hours just for me. It´s no biggie. Just a few hourse really.

you'd have to get in, first.

BrownEyedBoy · 03-06-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Headache in a Suitcase

you'd have to get in, first.

Right, then I would be able to properly propose a hypothetical situation. Silly me.

Vincent Vega · 03-06-2008, 01:18 PM

You have to remember: It's Harvard, so people must make an issue of that and must speak up how they feel about it.

Irvine511 · 03-06-2008, 01:44 PM

eh, fuggit.

verte76 · 03-06-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BonoVoxSupastar

Yeah but prayer facilities don't infringe on the times people can fly. They allow everyone to use the airport at the same time. The gym should have gone for a much better compromise.

Yeah.

Abomb-baby · 03-06-2008, 05:27 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Irvine511
i'm a gay man. female breasts make me uncomfortable. when they are exposed to me, as they are at public swimming pools and on beaches in Europe, i get uncomfortable.

there should be special hours for me to go swimming where i'm not in danger of being exposed to naked female breasts. [/QUOTE

Irvine I usually disagree with what you have to say, but I am actually in 100% agreement with you. Except I actually enjoy breasts!

Headache in a Suitcase · 03-06-2008, 05:48 PM

i blame manbearpig

03-05-2008, 11:58 PM	#21
Irvine511 Blue Crack Supplier Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 33,715 Local Time: 06:26 PM	next thing you know, heterosexuals are going to demand separate showering facilities for homosexuals. i think this is absurd. go running along the charles in your burka then. __________________

03-06-2008, 05:48 PM	#40
Headache in a Suitcase Blue Crack Distributor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: DC Posts: 69,244 Local Time: 06:26 PM	i blame manbearpig __________________

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03-06-2008, 07:04 AM	#23
MrsSpringsteen Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 28,206 Local Time: 06:26 PM	I see nothing wrong with it, we are all inconvenienced and/or accomodated in various ways on a daily basis. It's a gym, not a grocery store or an oxygen chamber. I can't feel all that sorry for Harvard students whining about something like this-get over it As for the sexist angle well those are their religious beliefs and even though I think women are past that point there are also plenty of non-Muslim women who, as a matter of personal preference, don't feel comfortable working out with men.

03-06-2008, 09:04 AM	#25
Irvine511 Blue Crack Supplier Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 33,715 Local Time: 06:26 PM	i'm a gay man. female breasts make me uncomfortable. when they are exposed to me, as they are at public swimming pools and on beaches in Europe, i get uncomfortable. there should be special hours for me to go swimming where i'm not in danger of being exposed to naked female breasts.

03-06-2008, 09:16 AM	#27
Vincent Vega Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin Posts: 6,739 Local Time: 12:26 AM	In the former GDR nudism was perfectly normal and many tourists on Rugia hence went around naked when at the beach. Since the borders are open more and more west German tourists visited Rugia each year and demanded nudism to be abolished or strictly limited to certain parts of the beaches because the wouldn't accept to be around naked people.

03-06-2008, 10:25 AM	#28
Liesje Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the dog house Posts: 19,563 Local Time: 06:26 PM	The facts that it's only a few hours a week and it's an intramural gym makes me think....who cares? Our intramural gym time is split up for various user groups, and we only have ONE gym. I don't like any of the groups/activities that have gym time....so I don't go, big deal. I don't care enough to whine like a baby and try to get the other activities canceled because they don't include me. Maybe a better compromise would have been to open the gym for these women at a time it was previously closed, thus the others could not complain their time was being cut, but still....it's just a few hours.

03-06-2008, 10:49 AM	#33
BrownEyedBoy Rock n' Roll Doggie Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: San Pedro Sula, Honduras Posts: 3,510 Local Time: 04:26 PM	This only means that I can go to Harvard and come up with a new religion that says that if I don´t workout on my own it will affect my modesty so they must close a gym for a few hours just for me. It´s no biggie. Just a few hourse really.

03-06-2008, 01:18 PM	#36
Vincent Vega Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin Posts: 6,739 Local Time: 12:26 AM	You have to remember: It's Harvard, so people must make an issue of that and must speak up how they feel about it.

03-06-2008, 01:44 PM	#37
Irvine511 Blue Crack Supplier Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 33,715 Local Time: 06:26 PM	eh, fuggit.

03-06-2008, 05:27 PM	#39
Abomb-baby The Fly Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 209 Local Time: 03:26 PM	[QUOTE]Originally posted by Irvine511 i'm a gay man. female breasts make me uncomfortable. when they are exposed to me, as they are at public swimming pools and on beaches in Europe, i get uncomfortable. there should be special hours for me to go swimming where i'm not in danger of being exposed to naked female breasts. [/QUOTE Irvine I usually disagree with what you have to say, but I am actually in 100% agreement with you. Except I actually enjoy breasts!