Sex segregated workplace holiday event that I don't want to do

"The women" at my plant have decided that they want to have a potluck and blind holiday gift exchange. Only the women would bring food and gifts. Since I am female, I am being pressured into doing this. Although I don't want to spoil anyone's fun, I don't really want to participate nor feel that it should be expected just because I am female. Most of the other women work in one area, doing mostly one job that men do not do at our plant. The two other women, besides me, who do not work with these women did work with them previously and are excited about the event. I never have done their job nor worked with them anymore than I work with anyone else at that plant. I guess that I feel that if they are going to have an event like that it should either include everyone, male and female, or be off the premise with people choosing to attend or not. I don't think that it is good to encourage gender based segregation for this event. I don't think anyone would be amused if there was a race based segregated event where members of one race were pressured to participate where members of other races were not allowed to participate. Am I being a spoil sport or do I have a valid concern?

You don't need to give an excuse. Just simply say, "Thank you for thinking of me, but I won't be there." With a smile, of course.

You are not obilgated to socialize with co-workers if you don't want to.

Don't want to go? Simply tell them "thank you, but I won't be attending" and leave it at that.

I've never been one to socialize with coworkers (generally speaking). These are people I am forced to work with. They are not people I personally chose to spend 8 hours of my day with. I've gotten a bunch of shit at past jobs because I wouldn't go out with "the girls' or "the office" to week-night drinking sessions. Fuck that. They're not my friends, they're the people I work with, and I'm not going to spend MORE time with them than necessary AND not get paid for it AND (most importantly) do something that I don't want to do, don't feel like doing, or won't have a good time while doing it.

Just say "no thanks".

I can plan to take my break at a different time, but there is only one break room and we aren't allowed to go off the premise. I should tell that I won't be involved because they will notice if I am not there.

There always seems to be someone who names themselves social director for work events. I'm constantly being asked to contribute to so-and-so's baby shower or whos'its birthday or whatever the event of the week is. I always politely decline. Like your place of work , we have only one breakroom and it annoys the hell out of me that it is so often filled up with people celebrating someone's personal shit.

I have friends and I have co-workers but very few people fit into both categories and those who do, I give gifts or celebrate with at a different location. It feels like blackmail to be pressured into participating in this stuff and I won't do it anymore. I don't really care if anyone thinks I'm cheap or unfriendly (no one does, as far as I know - I get along well with all my co-workers) - as I said, they're my co-workers, not my friends.

"I'd like to do it, but only if everyone is included, not just the women". Spell it out. You don't have to be nasty, just state the facts. Or... if you don't want to do it period, then say so.