(UK) Trans women to be banned from public female-only spaces

[Jessica_Rose]

Trans women to be banned from public female-only spaces

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trans-women-to-be-banned-from-public-female-only-spaces/ar-AA1K8D04?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6d62d0a67994456bf396e5d294699e98&ei=27

Story by Gwyn Wright (8 Aug 2025)

Public bodies will be told to ban transgender women from female-only spaces such as lavatories and changing rooms under new guidance to be published by the the Equality and Human Rights Commission, according to reports.

The new guidance from the EHRC, the human rights watchdog, will apply to any organisation that provides a service to the public, including schools, hospitals, prisons, gyms and shops. Organisations will also be allowed to check birth certificates to ensure that the new rules are followed.

Private companies and charities will be covered if they are providing a public service, such as caring for the elderly on behalf of a council.

The new rules will also allow bodies to prevent transgender women from taking part in women's sports, and state that women have a right to feel uncomfortable if a biological man undresses in front of them.

The watchdog promised to issue new guidance in light of the Supreme Court's ruling earlier this year that the definition of women under the Equality Act lies in biological sex, not preferred gender identity.

Draft guidance published after the ruling stated that the words "women" and "sex" must mean biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act.

Many public bodies, including the NHS and the Civil Service, have so far refrained from banning transgender women from female-only spaces until the guidance is issued.

[Sephirah]

Riding on Trump's coat tails. Which has been kind of the thrust of the Labour government since they got in office.

They were so different when they were in opposition. Starmer's approval ratings are about on par with Trump's, at this point.

The EHRC, for those who don't know, is sponsored by the Cabinet Office. They are beholden to the government of the day. It isn't a watchdog. It's a lapdog.

[ChrissyRyan]

So I would have to use a men's bathroom against my choice?  Really?

That is not right. 

[Jen T.]

One giant leap backwards. 🤬

[Tills]

As an update to the News story, this is now set to be challenged.

https://goodlawproject.org/update/update-our-challenge-against-the-ehrcs-interim-guidance/ehrc-challenge-the-fight-goes-on/

The challenge to the ruling has been accepted i.e. it will be heard. The hearing will be in November.

The High Court will hear a judicial review brought against the Equality and Human Rights Commission's guidance on trans people's use of toilets at work and in services in November 2025.

The challenge is brought by two trans persons and one person who is intersex along with the Good Law Project. The Claimants allege that the Commission's "Interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment", published shortly after the Supreme Court's decision in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, misstates the law and encourages employers and service providers to breach their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

In a hearing in the High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Swift gave directions for the claim to proceed to a rolled-up hearing in November 2025.

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