I'm all for men having their own spaces and women having their own spaces - however if the current push has been toward equality and equity and inclusivity for all, why are these exclusive spaces being encouraged. If you want inclusivity you should include everyone, and learn to deal with the environment it creates. If not, accept that there will be spaces for and not for certain persons. What we seem to be seeing is a movement that wants as much inclusivity as possible for women as well as the right to exclude men whenever they want. Which sounds rather privileged.
I would not say cinema in general has ever been an excluding space for women. Not sure men and women sharing a cinema as they have done without problems and at their own discretion since the advent of moving pictures equates at all with the dynamic of bosses and employees. Nor that women and men's social reality reflects that dynamic either. (If anything, the general view among married or attached men is that their wives or female partners are actually the "boss". And if it isn't said, it's certainly known). I've been to cinemas where everyone shuts up and watches the movie... I've been to cinemas where people yell at the screen like idiots, or cheer and clap or give a running commentary - men and women alike. Never have I been to one where women watch movies like obedient employees unable to express thoughts while men watch them like bosses. Never have I seen or been to one where women were not "equally" able to enjoy the entertainment!
Sure, by all means women should have a get together if they want and watch movies so they can talk without worrying what a man thinks or says? I have no issue with it. What I do have an issue with is how divisive identity politics actually is. Rather than bringing people together, it appears to be causing more hate and division between races and genders than ever before (the current debacle at Evergreen State College springs to mind). It is not the way forward.
