Good Law Project blasts 'harmful' code of practice that 'segregates' trans peoplehttps://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/16/good-law-project-ehrc-code-trans-people-bathrooms/ 🔗Poppy-Jay St. Palmer (16 July 2026)
The impending code of practice is not legally binding, but it "strongly encourages" businesses, service providers and associations to offer only single-sex services based on biological sex, as per the Equality Act 2010.
"It is set to have a devastating impact on trans people's lives," the Good Law Project said in a statement shared on 15 July.
"The code says that offering single-sex services only according to 'biological sex' is likely to indirectly discriminate against trans people," the statement continued.
"But instead of saying that organisations can provide trans-inclusive services, the guidance treats trans people like a third sex, suggesting they have to use separate 'third' spaces and services, rather than the ordinary ones provided for men and women."
The Good Law Project then went on to highlight that forcing trans people to use third spaces will create "stigma" and "risks outing them".
"A trans woman who goes to the pub with the rest of her female friends would have to explain why she can't go into the women's toilets with them," the statement said. "And third services or spaces are often not up to scratch – denying trans people access to vital services and pushing them out of public life. This will cause serious harm."
The non-profit called the approach "exclusionary" and said that other groups will be affected too, like cis women, who will face increased gender policing, and disabled people, who will have less access to accessible toilets if they double as "third" spaces.
