Let’s go to Parliament!
It’s time to make the Equality Act clear.
On Wednesday 11th September, we will be going to the UK Parliament to lobby MPs to stand up for single-sex services and make the Equality Act clear. Will you join us?
The new government has said it will protect single-sex services for women, but it hasn’t said how.
The current approach isn’t working. Service providers and employers are afraid to uphold clear rules. Women are being forced to undress in front of trans-identified males in their workplaces and leisure facilities, are being searched by trans-identified male police officers, and cannot be confident that “same-sex” healthcare provision or support after domestic abuse or rape will be genuinely female-only.
Confusion in the law is causing serious real-world harm, including lesbians being denied freedom of association without the presence of trans-identifying men, males sharing accommodation with girls on overnight trips, and men and boys entering women and girls’ sporting competitions.
Parliament must act to protect women’s rights to dignity, safety and privacy.
Together with the Women’s Rights Network and other groups, we will be taking supporters into Parliament to meet their MPs. We want to make sure the call to stand up for single-sex services is heard loud and clear in Westminster, by MPs of every party.
Will you come with us to Westminster to lobby your MP in person?
During the general-election campaign, thousands took action — writing to candidates, asking tough questions, putting up posters and spreading the word on social media. Now, we are taking the message to MPs in Parliament. We want to get as many people as possible to speak to their MP on the same day to make a real impact. Both men and women are welcome.
What is a lobby day?
A lobby day is when people go to Parliament together to speak to their MPs. You write to your MP in advance to tell them you are coming and ask for a meeting.
What will happen on the day?
We will meet in a room in Parliament from where you can go to meet your MP, or “green card” them if they have not responded to your email in advance.
“Green carding” is where people collect and fill in a green card to let their MP know that a constituent is in Parliament, requesting a meeting. It is a short form which you fill in with your name, address, email and the issue you want to speak to your MP about. If an MP is present in Parliament, the convention is that if they receive a green card, they should meet their constituent.
Our team will be there to support you with advice for your meeting, briefings about where to go and what to do, and materials to give your MP.
We’ve also arranged tours of the Houses of Parliament, a photo in Parliament Square and a get-together afterwards (details to be confirmed closer to the date).
You’ll need to make your way to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster by 1pm on Wednesday, 11th September. We’ll share exact timings and meeting points closer to the date.
Next steps
You don’t need to be an expert to join in — you simply need to use our form to tell us you’re coming and email your MP.
Follow these steps:
- Make sure you’re free on the afternoon of Wednesday 11th September 2024 and are available to travel into central London by 1pm.
- If you don’t already know it, look up your MP’s name.
- Complete the form below to let us know you are coming, and to send an email to your MP to request a meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday 11th September 2024 – you can edit this to personalise it.
- Sex Matters will get a copy of the email, so we’ll know you have contacted your MP.
- If your MP responds agreeing to meet, you’ll need to reply to them to accept. Please forward any responses you receive from your MP to [email protected].
- Ahead of the day, we’ll email everyone who is attending and provide a detailed briefing on the key issues we want to raise, including tips on how to have a successful meeting with your MP and what to expect during your visit to Parliament.
If you can attend the lobby day on Wednesday 11th September, please complete the form to let us know that you expect to be there, and to request a meeting with your MP.
The deadline for completing the form is 5pm on Wednesday 4th September.