trans

Trans people in the UK could be banned from single-sex spaces based on their appearance, according to a leaked document.⁠

⁠On 19 November, The Times reported that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) drafted new guidance for ministers nearly three months ago, aimed at “preserv[ing] the dignity and safety of women.” The guidance has not yet been published by Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities.⁠

⁠A copy obtained by The Times revealed that “places such as hospital wards, gyms and leisure centres” may question trans women over their use of single-sex services based on “how they look, their behaviour or concerns raised by others.”⁠

⁠If there is uncertainty about an individual’s gender identity, they could be prohibited from accessing these services once those in charge have taken into account “relevant factors.”⁠

In response to the leak, Trans+Solidarity Alliance founder Jude Guaitamacchi called on the government to reject the guidance.

“These leaks reveal that not only does the EHRC’s proposed code of practice seek to require trans exclusion, it instructs service providers to police this based on appearance and gender stereotypes,” Guaitamacchi said, per The Independent.

“This is a misogynist’s charter, plain and simple, and the government must reject it.”

A spokesperson for the TransActual organisation echoed similar sentiments in a separate statement.

“Astonishingly, the UK’s ‘human rights watchdog’ is attempting to mandate that staff at cinemas, hospitals, bars and cafes must try and judge whether users are trans or not based on appearance alone. This is a license to discriminate based on looks, plain and simple,” they said.

“We’ve seen this before – people trying to make our society into a place that is only safe for ‘normal’ ladies. Not just loos. But sports centres, changing rooms and more.

“We offer our solidarity to the many cis women who have been targeted and harassed for their appearance by ‘gender critical activists’ who believed they were trans, and who would be put even further at risk by these rules.”

Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister also addressed the “big implications” the new guidance can have on individuals during an interview with Times Radio.

“These are massive issues and I think that the public, now looking at the draft guidance from the EHRC, will recognise that when you drill down into examples of how this might be applied, it has big implications for individuals, it has big implications and public services,” he said.

The leaked guidance follows an April 2025 Supreme Court ruling that defined “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act as referring to biological sex, a decision that allows organisations to restrict trans women’s access to single-sex services.⁠

As of this writing, the UK government has not announced when the new guidance will be published.

However, on 20 November, Phillipson told reporters that she was going through it “thoroughly and carefully.”

“I have responsibilities to make sure that’s done properly, and we’re taking the time to get this right,” she added, per The Guardian.

Anne has launched its new groundbreaking health and wellbeing toolkit for the UK’s trans community.

Over the last few years, the LGBTQIA+ community – particularly trans and non-binary people – have become the target of conservative political figures and hateful bigots.

From the 47th president of the United States introducing harmful executive orders that restrict gender-affirming care and ban trans people from participating in sports, to the UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex, the existence of trans and non-binary people is being continually questioned, undermined and threatened.

Amid the rise of anti-trans sentiment and hateful misinformation worldwide, UK-based not-for-profit health care provider Anne has launched its new Accessing Gender Affirming Care Toolkit.

The community-built resource grants UK-based trans people and allies the ability to better navigate the “increasingly challenging healthcare system against a backdrop of rising social and political hostility.”  

The groundbreaking toolkit includes an overview of gender-affirming healthcare pathways in England — across both NHS and private routes for trans adults — plus core legal protections and context on systemic challenges like long waiting times, inconsistent GP support, regional disparities, and the mental health consequences of delayed care.

It also includes advice for individuals self-medicating, information on moving between private and NHS pathways, and a detailed, extensive directory of trans+ service providers.

In a statement, Anne co-founder Lizzie Jordan opened up about the importance of the new Accessing Gender Affirming Care Toolkit and why it’s needed more than ever.

“We created this toolkit because trans+ people deserve to access healthcare with confidence and dignity. The reality is that Ann shouldn’t need to exist –  but whilst barriers persist, we’re committed to equipping our community with every resource they need to advocate for themselves and get their needs met,” Jordan said.

“This toolkit is about empowerment. It’s about giving trans+ people the knowledge and tools to navigate a system that too often works against them. We will continue building resources like this because we believe trans+ people don’t just deserve to survive – they deserve to thrive.

“By bringing together information that is often fragmented, inaccessible, or inconsistent, the Anne Toolkit provides a trusted point of clarity and source of support during this time of uncertainty. It has the potential to transform daily life for trans people across the UK by informing trans+ people of their rights, offering step-by-step guides to navigating commonly encountered medical roadblocks and educating trans+ patients with accessible resources.”  

Anne co-founder Susie Green echoed similar sentiments, adding that the first-of-its-kind resource gives trans people “the practical tools they need to advocate for themselves with confidence.”

“As someone who has spent decades advocating for trans+ rights, I’ve seen firsthand how the lack of clear, accessible information can leave people feeling powerless and alone,” Green said. “This toolkit is our way of saying: you have rights, you have options, and you deserve to be supported every step of the way.”

The Accessing Gender-Affirming Care Toolkit is now available for free at www.anne.health/toolkits.

David Robinson / Geograph

PA Media

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