Background:
The Complainant alleged gender discrimination regarding her eligibility for membership in the Respondent association, claiming exclusion based on her student status and part-time work, contrary to the Equal Status Act 2000. She attempted to apply in August and September 2023 but encountered obstacles, unclear criteria, and responses that she deemed dismissive and gendered, including instructions to speak with her tutor. The association's membership, predominantly male, had requirements that the complainant argued indirectly discriminated against women, particularly the expectation of full-time work, which disproportionately impacts female photographers balancing education or caregiving. In evidence, the Complainant detailed her difficulties in navigating the membership process and asserted that she felt humiliated and excluded, particularly as she was told she couldn’t apply