Britain sets out rules for single-sex spaces following landmark sex definition ruling
New Guidance on Single-Sex Spaces and Legal Definition of Sex
Background and Context
LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday published long-awaited guidance on applying equality law to single-sex spaces following a landmark 2025 ruling on the legal definition of sex, a move likely to intensify debate over transgender rights.
Scope of the Guidance
The guidance sets out when organisations can lawfully exclude transgender people from women-only and men-only spaces - including toilets, changing rooms, hospital wards, refuges and sports - after the Supreme Court affirmed in April last year that "sex" refers to biological sex.
Implications of the Supreme Court Ruling
That ruling means that a transgender woman is legally considered male, and a transgender man is considered female.
Government and Official Statements
Women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson said in a statement that the code of practice would help ensure "organisations across Great Britain have clear guidance regarding its implementation, protecting people's rights across our country."
Parliamentary Process and Next Steps
The guidance, prepared by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has been laid before parliament for a 40-day scrutiny period. If there is no objection, it will replace the existing 2011 code.
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; editing by William James)
