Sex matters in life and in law.
It shouldn’t take courage to say so.

Good ideas that address complex issues are not handed down to us on stone tablets. Good ideas need time, space and the application of intelligence to be formed.

Reading University VC speaks up for academic freedom

On 25 April 2022 Dr Holly Lawford-Smith, of the University of Melbourne, gave a seminar at Reading University’s school of law. She analysed Australia’s recent legislation banning conversion therapy, and questioned the rationale for including gender identity alongside sexual orientation. “We champion freedom of expression but…”...

No ban on talk therapy for gender-distressed children in Queen’s Speech

It has been confirmed in the Queen’s Speech that the government intends to pursue a limited ban on “conversion therapy” aimed at practices intended to change sexual orientation but not to include in this therapy to resolve gender distress. But the “ban” campaign continues...

Let your MP know the facts

MPs are coming under intense pressure to support the campaign to “ban conversion therapy”. It is important that they hear the facts: There is no evidence that abusive conversion practice is happening in the UK that is not already illegal. Gender distress and sexual...

Send our guidance to your child's school

Send our guidance to your school

Sex Matters and Transgender Trend have published new guidance on the Equality Act for schools in England. It is designed to help schools set clear, fair policies in relation to girls and boys, including pupils experiencing gender distress. It includes guidance on: admissions protection...

People deserve respect, but ideas do not. We need to be able to speak the truth about sex to protect everybody's rights, and hold institutions to account.

Maya Forstater, Sex Matters Co-Founder

For rights to be respected in a democratic society it must be possible to debate them, exercise them and advocate for their implementation.

Rebecca Bull, Sex Matters Co-Founder

The law can't change the material reality of sex. Pretending it can causes real harms, and liabilities.

Naomi Cunningham, Sex Matters Co-Founder

The words male and female have a very clear biological meaning, not up for postmodern deconstruction. They do not refer to social categories, but to human anatomy.

Emma Hilton, Sex Matters Co-Founder

Clarity about sex is crucial for safeguarding everybody’s human rights.

We are campaigning to establish that sex matters in rules, laws, policies, language and culture. We aim to:

1

Establish clarity on single sex services
2

Enable people to speak up
3

Make debate possible

What we do

We lobby for clarity on sex in law and institutions.
We publish research, guidance and analysis.
We support and mobilise people to speak up.
We hold organisations accountable.

Our principles

Reality

There are two sexes: female and male. People shouldn’t be afraid to say this.
Clarity

Organisations and governments should be clear about the sexes and where sex matters.
Human rights

Everybody’s human rights matter, including private life, freedom of beliefs and speech.
Democracy

A cohesive society depends on open debate and evidence-based policy making.

Latest updates

Attorney-general clarifies the law for schools

In an interview with The Times, Suella Braverman said schools should treat children according to their sex, not their self-identified...

27th May 2022
Reading University VC speaks up for academic freedom

On 25 April 2022 Dr Holly Lawford-Smith, of the University of Melbourne, gave a seminar at Reading University’s school...

23rd May 2022
Is Scotland going to turn the UK into an identity-laundering haven?

As part of Sex Matters’ response to the Scottish Parliament consultation on GRA reform we raised security concerns. This...

18th May 2022
Has your MP fallen for a simple slogan?

Was your MP one of the ones who posed with a sign about banning conversion therapy? It is worth...

16th May 2022