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Equality campaigner John Taylor in Race for Life sexism claim

8:19am Wednesday 11th August 2010 in


A VETERAN equality campaigner has launched a fresh attack on the continuing exclusion of male runners from York’s Race for Life.

Pensioner John Taylor, of Norton, has been lobbying Cancer Research UK to allow men to take part in its popular Race For Life events across the country, including the one on Knavesmire, since his eldest daughter died from cancer in 2001.

The former postman, who has previously won a landmark European Court ruling which forced the Government to give winter fuel payments to men at the same age as women, spoke today of his sadness that his race campaign had not yet succeeded.

He said the Jane Tomlinson Fund, which organised the recent York 10K, should be commended because it had male and female contestants, and he was saddened the same did not apply to the Race for Life.

Mr Taylor, pictured, believed keeping Race for Life a female-only event was misguided, discriminated against all males and breached Article 14 of The Human Rights Act, which gave people the right not to be discriminated against in any form.

“Opening the 240 Race for Life events to males, young and old, throughout the UK….would give them an opportunity to raise funds in memory of their loved ones.”

But Natasha Dickinson, head of Race for Life at Cancer Research UK, defended the policy. She said: “Our research shows that our Race for Life supporters would strongly prefer to keep it a female-only event, as it is a unique opportunity for women to come together in a non-competitive active event within an atmosphere of sisterhood.”

She said it was the only women-only event organised by the charity, and had many male supporters who volunteered their time to help out on the day and sponsor women taking part.

“We also encourage men to come along to support the women who are taking part and are continuing to improve the facilities to make Race for Life events day enjoyable for men and also ensure it is a family-friendly event.”

Comments(35)

Woody Mellor says...
9:34am Wed 11 Aug 10

Too right Mr Taylor. If it was the other way around there would be hell on.

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Aelfwin says...
9:38am Wed 11 Aug 10

I can only agree. This is the 21st century and equality is key in all things, the Race for Life seems to have a particularly childish and archaic attitude to things at times.

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Anonimouse2 says...
9:38am Wed 11 Aug 10

what a nutter!

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1speedisalluneed says...
10:10am Wed 11 Aug 10

Anonimouse2 wrote:
what a nutter!
Quite right, perhaps some ladies don't want to race alongside men? lets be honest for some competitors its the only time they put trainers on all year. Let the ladies have their event.

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Woody Mellor says...
10:14am Wed 11 Aug 10

1speedisalluneed wrote:
Anonimouse2 wrote:
what a nutter!
Quite right, perhaps some ladies don't want to race alongside men? lets be honest for some competitors its the only time they put trainers on all year. Let the ladies have their event.
So are you saying that you would not mind if there was a Men only event, therefore NO FEMALES ALLOWED, even if they wanted to do the run for a lost loved one?

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taken for a mug says...
10:19am Wed 11 Aug 10

I remember when women weren't allowed membership at Working Mens Clubs, but the rules had to change to allow women.....

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Fred the Shred says...
10:41am Wed 11 Aug 10

In the same way that the money spent on breast cancer far far exceeds that spent on testicular & prostrate cancers, in complete disproportion to their relative risks of harm.

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racheljspeight@hotmail.co.uk says...
10:49am Wed 11 Aug 10

I took part in the race for life with my RAW Team and it a fun day out for women and girls only, this should not change, many women take part in this event and have done for years because its time when women and girls can get together in a none competitive fundraising event to try and beat cancer. Maybe if we spent more time on fundraising and not trying to change this event we could beat cancer! it makes me very sad as I have lost close friends and family to cancer and Race for life is a time to be with other women. RAW Team Husbands, boyfriends and Dads came along on the day and showed their support which was fantastic and I would never like it to change. If it does can I play for Man city football team please as its men only!!!!

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Anonimouse2 says...
11:25am Wed 11 Aug 10

If men were allowed I don't think that half the women that run would bother - its always been women only if men are that bothered they could do their own!

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GoodDoc says...
11:30am Wed 11 Aug 10

An example of how gender discrimination has gone too far the other way. I think it's utterly shameful. As others have pointed out, there genuinely would be uproar if a similar event was male-only. Of course some women enjoy it being female-only, as a lot of men would enjoy male-only, but that doesn't make it right or fair.
.
As a means for people affected by cancer to raise money for charity, it is disgusting to restrict who takes part in such a sexist, counterproductive way..
.
So much for equality.

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AdmiralNN says...
11:40am Wed 11 Aug 10

It sounds unfair but really does it matter that much its a short run for women.
'
If you are that keen to mingle why not push to set up your own race for life and have it mixed.
'
But seriously, dont lose sleep over it.

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Hackney Lee says...
12:09pm Wed 11 Aug 10

Can't there just be a similar event for men only? Maybe there already is?

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acomb alien says...
12:42pm Wed 11 Aug 10

I can't believe it has taken this article to finally get me to comment. The press article "R U Taking The P event in Rowntree Park highlights men's cancer" in June surely shows that both Men and Women have the right to run either together or split by gender to fight Cancer, and it shouldn't be a matter of who is paid more to research into this. it should be that TOGETHER we can FUND RAISE to get more reseach to make that breakthrough. So stop griping about the right to run, and focus your energy on FUNDING the FIGHT

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1speedisalluneed says...
12:44pm Wed 11 Aug 10

Hackney Lee wrote:
Can't there just be a similar event for men only? Maybe there already is?
There was a men only event for Prostate Cancer just a few weeks ago but it was nowhere near as large as the RFL. Let the women enjoy the day and if cancer has affected you or loved ones go down and cheer the ladies on. They are always keen for volunteers to assist on the day. Why John Taylor feels he needs to campaign on this subject baffles me, would the "pensioner" join in if he got the entry rules changed? I doubt it.

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KLF says...
12:58pm Wed 11 Aug 10

There are two charities that run men only 5k events to raise funds and awareness for male cancers. R U taking the P is mentioned above and I think the other is 'Keep your eye on the ball' (or some other somewhat naff name). Perhaps Mr Taylor would like to campaign to allow women to run in these too! It's a shame that these events and don't get more publicity and perhaps the interests of equality would be better served by that and my more men taking part in them.

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kpeanut says...
5:30pm Wed 11 Aug 10

Surely there are greater 'inequalities' to fight than this?
1) If men want to raise funds for cancer awareness, they can.
2) If men want to run to raise money for cancer charities, they can.
3) The organisers of RfL want to keep it female-only because that's what's made it so successful, and what their participants want.
4) If men want to run in a male and female mixed race and raise funds for cancer charities, what's stopping them from printing off a sponsorship form, and getting fundraising? It surely doesn't have to be a race organised by a cancer charity, does it? There are lots of local races - just look for them.
In the meantime, the huge success of RfL brings to mind the saying 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

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SIMON says...
6:22pm Wed 11 Aug 10

racheljspeight@hotma
il.co.uk wrote:
I took part in the race for life with my RAW Team and it a fun day out for women and girls only, this should not change, many women take part in this event and have done for years because its time when women and girls can get together in a none competitive fundraising event to try and beat cancer. Maybe if we spent more time on fundraising and not trying to change this event we could beat cancer! it makes me very sad as I have lost close friends and family to cancer and Race for life is a time to be with other women. RAW Team Husbands, boyfriends and Dads came along on the day and showed their support which was fantastic and I would never like it to change. If it does can I play for Man city football team please as its men only!!!!
If it does can I play for Man city football team please as its men only!!!!

Just about the most ridiculous comparison in this context you can imagine

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chunk01 says...
8:49pm Wed 11 Aug 10

Lots of wasted fundraising energy here that should be channelled into raising even more money for charities like Cancer Research UK who raise millions of pounds each year to fund research into all forms of cancer.

I work in an environment where equality is top of the agenda. This has nothing to do with equality and everything to people from any gender doing whatever they can in any way they can to rasie money into cancer research.

There are events for men only, there are mixed events so why seek to ruin what is a fantastic fun day with such a good aim in mind.

I was one of may men volunteering at he event and I strongly believe this event is one of the best at raising funds for research that Cancer Research UK do.

Get out and raise money instead of annoying those wanting to do their bit to help those magnificent people involved in seeking out a cure.

Get back into your boxes wherever there maybe and let the new, open minded generation do what they can however they can to raise money for good causes.

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taken for a mug says...
10:41pm Wed 11 Aug 10

It's ok people raising money in these sort of events but how much of it, as a percentage, actually goes to charity??

I suspect very little....

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GoodDoc says...
11:43pm Wed 11 Aug 10

I don't see how opening this event to men would harm it. No one is suggesting scrap it - just maximise the potential funds raised by allowing *anyone* affected by cancer to take part. It's a great event without a doubt, but I just think it's odd to be exclusive when it comes to charity fundraising. Men-only events would be just as bad.

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Lizzie Browning says...
2:41pm Fri 13 Aug 10

What a fuss about nothing! There are men only events in the offing; a testicular cancer version of Race for Life.
But there are also countless 5k, 10k, half-marathons and marathons up and down the country which allow both sexes. Hundreds of them. This is just one event, the women see as 'theirs', which raises a huge amount of money and does nobody any harm.
I speak to countless men about running and none of them perceive RFL as being sexist. One can take political correctness way too far, what next, women to be allowed into Premier League football teams?
What a lot of nonsense.

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Yorkiebear says...
3:16pm Fri 13 Aug 10

taken for a mug wrote:
It's ok people raising money in these sort of events but how much of it, as a percentage, actually goes to charity?? I suspect very little....
100 % of the sponsorship money from my 5k efforts in June (Mens race) went to Yorkshire Cancer Research. I know this as a fact.

Sponsorship for my 10k is still coming in from the efforts on the 1st August. Not enough but never mind, next year 1. better times. 2. better sponsorship now I know what I can do.

But the runs are about raising awareness of cancers and other deseases and that is what they do, no matter who runs. I look forward to seeing this man on the next mens run which I hope is a well organised as the last one, but with more men taking part. Its only 5k for goodness sake! If I can do it at 53 then lots of other men could take up the challenge.

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1speedisalluneed says...
3:19pm Fri 13 Aug 10

" I look forward to seeing this man on the next mens run" I wouldn't hold your breath. Too busy being hard done by.

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moneyforwhat says...
4:25pm Fri 13 Aug 10

oh dear...hasn't it made it all rather shabby. I don't see that it being all women is so very important in the greater sense, but do agree if something isn't broken don't fix it. Cancer has no boundaries, gender or status counts for nothing. So instead of twittering on about things let people just get on with raising money for something they care passionately about. Sometimes it is nice to just have one gender...I don't think I would like to be on a mixed hospital ward for example

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Lizzie Browning says...
6:18pm Fri 13 Aug 10

You also aren't telling me that the odd bloke hasn't dressed up and had a go! Which is also great! The RfL is a fun event, that just happens to be for women - there are so many 5ks about, nobody is excluded. This miserable beggar should organise his own event rather than attack others who are raising money for a cause he claims is close to his heart.

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geminijohn says...
6:24pm Fri 13 Aug 10

Just two questions:

1) What would the reaction be if CRUK launched a "Racist Race for Life"?

2) Should CRUK continue to deny males the opportunity to participate in a 5K event, in all the 240 locations throughout the UK, where Race for Life events were held this year???

Before answering, please remember, "all those female participants should be commended" - but any of those could, be afflicted - "or sadly die from the terrible disease". I sincerely, hope not...

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Cold_as_Christmas says...
2:55pm Sat 14 Aug 10

Mr Taylor has a point, like it or not.
Working Men's clubs were forced to allow female members and in the City of York we have female only swimming sessions without corresponding male only sessions.
In 1997 the best part of 100 women were parachuted into safe Labour seats where only females were allowed onto the shortlist. What happened to merit & ability?
Mrs Thatcher attended St Hilda's College Oxford, where only female students are admitted, Cambridge have Newnham & Lucy Cavendish, again, all female. I challenge you to find me an all male higher education institution in the UK. We even have little girls joining the Cubs instead of the Brownies, is nothing sacred?
I believe in true equality & the RFL is just another example of inequality.
Don't give me 'nonsense' Lizzie Browning, I'm talking about discrimination and if anyone is that good at football regardless of gender I'm certain they would be at least entertained by Man City.
PS: Why don't female athletes campaign to run the 110 metres high hurdles, now that would be real equality!

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geminijohn says...
7:31pm Sat 14 Aug 10

Hi Cold_as_Christmas,

I suggest you contact The Equality & Human Rights Commission - also, have a read ot this...

http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/england/brist
ol/4639892.stm

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6ame says...
9:47am Sun 15 Aug 10

I made a video about this, it's called "Race For Life - How Feminists Do Charity", here's a link, which I hope isn't spamming, as it's completely related to the topic at hand: http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=f5JsWMDrb
YU

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geminijohn says...
12:30pm Tue 17 Aug 10

Hi Lizzie Browning,

When The Bic C affects both sexes without discrimination, I had to state the following, in support of Cold as xmas...

1) There was 240 Race for Life (female only events throughout the UK) this year...

2) CRUK was not satisfied with the annual 5K RFL on the Knavesmire - they also held a 10K Race for Life - so the discrimination increased there.

3) The 5K Run for Moore (male only) was created in 2006 - after the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) wrote to Cancer Research UK's Head of Legal...

4) Last year, there was only one (1) 5K (male only) held on Blackheath Common, London. So, we have discrimination there of 240 - 1 !!!

5) The objective is to have 240 events for Run for Moore - in the same 240 locations where Race for Life is held (including on the Knavesmire)...

6) I have been aware of the 5K (male only) event for Prostrate Cancer, ever since the first report in The Press - headed: "New charity race organised just for men"... I very nearly 'phoned the organiser' to stress it could be, like Race for Life - discriminating against females - like RFL is against males... I see no valid reason why the run for Prostrate Cancer is restricted to males only, when many females have suffered and will, sadly, continue to suffer from the loss of their hubby, or male relative...

Perhaps this may stir you to attempt to take part in next years for Prostrate Cancer?

The link below will give you more info re Bobby Moore's Run for Moore...

Best wishes...

http://www.cancerres
earchuk.org/runformo
ore/

PS: I am stating this on the anniversary of my eldest daughter's death from Ovarian Cancer in 2001 - leaving her hubby, two daughters & son...

Why could not her hubby and son participate in a 5K event on the Knavesmire - like females do in a 5K or 10K ?

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mystic_genius says...
4:38pm Tue 17 Aug 10

Lizzie Browning wrote:
SIMON wrote:
racheljspeight@hotma il.co.uk wrote: I took part in the race for life with my RAW Team and it a fun day out for women and girls only, this should not change, many women take part in this event and have done for years because its time when women and girls can get together in a none competitive fundraising event to try and beat cancer. Maybe if we spent more time on fundraising and not trying to change this event we could beat cancer! it makes me very sad as I have lost close friends and family to cancer and Race for life is a time to be with other women. RAW Team Husbands, boyfriends and Dads came along on the day and showed their support which was fantastic and I would never like it to change. If it does can I play for Man city football team please as its men only!!!!
If it does can I play for Man city football team please as its men only!!!! Just about the most ridiculous comparison in this context you can imagine
It is a ridiculous comparison, silly boy, that is the point! By likening men having to be admitted to RfL, she is comparing it to something as daft as girlies turning out for Man City! Absurdum. Its philosophical argument - using the silly as comparison to prove a point. Educayshun - don't you just love it... ;-)
To be fair, I'm sure with Man City's billions, if a woman were good enough to make the first team, I'm certain a few FA back-handers would be done to allow it. But the fact is (as a generalisation) men are much more athletic than women, therefore women are likely to feature in any professional sport where spectators want to see the best athletes.
`
As those have said above, raising money should be the important thing, to prevent/cure this illness in the first place. If that means men have to race with women, so be it.

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Lizzie Browning says...
7:14pm Tue 17 Aug 10

geminijohn wrote:
Hi Lizzie Browning,

When The Bic C affects both sexes without discrimination, I had to state the following, in support of Cold as xmas...

1) There was 240 Race for Life (female only events throughout the UK) this year...

2) CRUK was not satisfied with the annual 5K RFL on the Knavesmire - they also held a 10K Race for Life - so the discrimination increased there.

3) The 5K Run for Moore (male only) was created in 2006 - after the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) wrote to Cancer Research UK's Head of Legal...

4) Last year, there was only one (1) 5K (male only) held on Blackheath Common, London. So, we have discrimination there of 240 - 1 !!!

5) The objective is to have 240 events for Run for Moore - in the same 240 locations where Race for Life is held (including on the Knavesmire)...

6) I have been aware of the 5K (male only) event for Prostrate Cancer, ever since the first report in The Press - headed: "New charity race organised just for men"... I very nearly 'phoned the organiser' to stress it could be, like Race for Life - discriminating against females - like RFL is against males... I see no valid reason why the run for Prostrate Cancer is restricted to males only, when many females have suffered and will, sadly, continue to suffer from the loss of their hubby, or male relative...

Perhaps this may stir you to attempt to take part in next years for Prostrate Cancer?

The link below will give you more info re Bobby Moore's Run for Moore...

Best wishes...

http://www.cancerres

earchuk.org/runformo

ore/

PS: I am stating this on the anniversary of my eldest daughter's death from Ovarian Cancer in 2001 - leaving her hubby, two daughters & son...

Why could not her hubby and son participate in a 5K event on the Knavesmire - like females do in a 5K or 10K ?
I think the story of your daughter is awfully tragic, I have girls of my own and can only imagine your sorrow. You have my full sympathy there.
We all have tragic stories concerning loved ones and this damned awful disease. But surely that is reason for us all to come together through sport and raise money, rather than be divided and causing issues where there shouldn't be any.
I've recently raised about £2000 through running for a certain charity, a cause which effects my family directly and I have to say that one thing that has kept this (slightly lardy) person going over all those miles is the goodwill I have received as I've gone round the country. THAT is why I am prickly when I perceive anyone trying to spoil this amazing goodwill. I repeat, there are plenty of 5ks out there, enough for us all to raise money. For the record I have never done any RfL events.
Should you doubt my honesty and my fundraising, contact me via the Press and I will provide details. But I'd expect a donation!
Now go forth and raise cash - life is precious, too precious for silliness like this.

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Lizzie Browning says...
7:32pm Tue 17 Aug 10

Oh and thanks for the invitation to the prostate cancer run - my father has that disease. Were I excluded from the race through gender, I wouldn't give it a second thought however; there are plenty of races out there and as before, I'd merely open a JustGiving web account and direct donations that way. Or be old fashioned and write names on a bit of paper and collect the cash!
I'm not having a personal dig at you Mr Taylor, but I disagree with your campaign, which I think is against the spirit of fundraising. As an individual and also a charity runner, I think I have that right. Lets agree to disagree.

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6ame says...
8:39am Wed 18 Aug 10

"I suggest you join in, raise some money and stop making a fool of yourself."

No, Lizzie, that's not in any way having a personal dig at Mr Taylor

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geminijohn says...
9:17am Wed 18 Aug 10

Hi Lizzie Browning,
You state:
....................
....................
............
We all have tragic stories concerning loved ones and this damned awful disease. But surely that is reason for us all to come together through sport and raise money, rather than be divided and causing issues where there shouldn't be any...
....................
....................
..............

If you read my previous post again - you will, hopefully, agree that Cancer Research UK's 5K Race for Life (female only) is not a very good example of....
" us all coming together through sport to raise money"....when males are excluded!!!

What is wrong in endeavouring to get the "5K Run for Moore events" held in all the 240 locations, throughout the UK, where the 240 (female only) 5K Race for Life events are held. Did you note my statistic re the discrimination against males being 240 - 1 ?

Do you agree there should be a 5K Run for Moore event held on the Knavesmire (male only) against the background of CRUK not being satisfied with the annual Race for Life - they also had a 10K Race for life this year?

My very best wishes to your father and yourself - I sincerely trust there is a positive conclusion...

Best wishes - have a nice day...
geminijohn...

PS: There are not enough 5K events out there - we need, at least, another 239 5K Run for Moore events throughout the UK -what is wrong with that?

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