The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published new statutory guidance on May 21st regarding single-sex spaces such as changing rooms and toilets which passed its parliamentary scrutiny stage on July 9th, despite 167 MPs signing an early day motion opposing the guidance. This follows the Supreme Court ruling in 2025 that the protected characteristic of sex refers to what one is assigned to at birth.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published new statutory guidance on May 21st regarding single-sex spaces such as changing rooms and toilets which passed its parliamentary scrutiny stage on July 9th, despite 167 MPs signing an early day motion opposing the guidance. This follows the Supreme Court ruling in 2025 that the protected characteristic of sex refers to what one is assigned to at birth.
This guidance stands to erode the basic human rights of trans people, limiting access to essential services such as toilets. This is despite there being no evidence of trans people posing any greater risk in these spaces. Not only is this guidance disproportionate, but risks discriminating against trans people on the basis of gender reassignment, which is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010. It also risks discriminating against cis people with non-traditional gender expression such as masculine women or feminine men. However, this guidance is not the law, so organisations and public bodies can decide whether to implement it and how to moderate it themselves.
We stand in solidarity with trans people at this difficult time and vow to work to ensure trans people are safe, respected, and can access essential spaces on campus. It may feel like a time to withdraw and worry, but it is more important than ever to be visible, active, and authentically you. Furthermore, this guidance does not apply to individuals, only organisations, meaning you as an individual do not have to follow it. However, it is important to keep yourself safe at this difficult time. On campus, there are gender neutral facilities in the library and Boilerhouse cafe, among others. While not perfect, they provide a place for you to use the bathroom in these uncertain times should you prefer to use them. We are also not going to stop standing up for your rights, with work happening behind the scenes to ensure equitable access rights to these spaces, be they in sport, toilets, or otherwise.
It is important as many as possible of us stand up and fight for our rights. We will be running a campaign this academic year to help you to get organised, learn about how to effectively get your voice heard, and give you experience and confidence to do so. Keep an eye on the RHUL SU and LGBT+ Community Officer Instagram pages for updates on how you can get involved!
If you are distressed by the current events or a victim of a hate crime or discrimination, there is support available to you.
Helplines:
Mindline Trans+ 0300 330 5468
Switchboard 0800 0119 100
Gendered Intelligence 0800 640 8046
Mermaids 0808 801 0400
Surrey Mental Health Crisis Line 0800 915 4644
On campus services:
- You can use the RH Be Heard service to report any incidents of discrimination on campus.
- If you need support, you can contact the RHUL Counselling and Mental Health teams.
- You can join the LGBT+ Society to be part of a queer community.
- You can email me at lgbt.community@royalholloway.su if you don’t know where to turn and I can signpost you to some services.
Police:
- You can go to Surrey Police’s hate crime reporting website to report anonymously any issues you face.
- Surrey Police have dedicated LGBT+ Liaison Officers who can be contacted on 01483 630474 or by email at LGBT@surrey.pnn.police.uk.
- You can contact the local Runnymede Police beat at this website or their Facebook page for local support and updates of ongoing incidents.
This may be a tough time for our community, but we will get through this together, as we always have done.
Yours in solidarity,
Derwen Fay – RHUL LGBT+ Community Officer
(She/they)