Where sex matters | Single-sex services
Single-sex services
Single-sex services are critical for inclusion. Vulnerable women in particular rely on specialist women’s services such as refuges and rape-crisis centres. Everyday services such as changing rooms and hospital wards provide dignity and privacy for all.
The UK Equality Act 2010 sets out many everyday situations where it is lawful to provide single-sex services. These include:
Circumstances where a person of one sex might reasonably object to the presence of a person of the opposite sex
Equality Act – Schedule 3, paragraph 27 (6)
Shared single-sex spaces are often the most practical way to provide lots of people with everyday privacy and dignity in places such as gyms, hospitals, dormitories and changing rooms and washrooms in schools, workplaces and other public places. Specialist single-sex services such as women’s refuges and rape-crisis centres are crucial services.
What is the problem?
Rules and expectations about single-sex services have become confused and organisations are afraid to communicate them clearly. Some people think they are based on “gender identity”. Some think they are based on “gender expression” (clothing and appearance). Some think there are no rules at all.
This is not fair on anyone. Being forced to undress, wash, share sleeping accommodation or have personal care with a person of the opposite sex without your consent is degrading. Single-sex services should be clear.
Updates
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Sex Matters set to challenge City’s unlawful ponds policy
The City of London Corporation has decided to continue with its “trans inclusive” approach to admissions to the men’s...
9th June 2026
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Fighting bigotry in service provision
Most of the high-profile gender-critical belief-discrimination cases to date have related to workplaces. But gender-critical belief discrimination is unlawful...
29th May 2026
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Sex is not “special category” data
The new Code of practice for services, public functions and associations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC),...
22nd May 2026
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What is in the new guidance?
The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated Code of practice for services, public functions and associations has finally been...
21st May 2026
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What would good guidance look like?
Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities, has promised to present the new Code of practice for services,...
19th May 2026
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Hampstead ponds update
We have received an order in our case against the City of London on the Hampstead ponds. The case...
15th May 2026
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EHRC code of practice expected in May
The Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, has said that the government intends to lay the updated draft...
15th May 2026
Other resources
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Ministers must not delay single-sex guidance
The Supreme Court ruling has made the law abundantly clear: sex-based rights must be protected, and Labour must not obscure that, says this Times editorial.
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Do retailers need to provide single-sex toilets and changing rooms?
Patrick Overall explains the two key issues to consider for retailers whose policies don’t comply with the law after the Supreme Court judgement in April 2025 and who are worried about how to make changes without alienating users.
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For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers
before Lord Reed, President Lord Hodge, Deputy President Lord Lloyd-Jones Lady Rose Lady Simler
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Why the Scottish Express is referring to Dr Beth Upton as a “man” in Fife nurse tribunal
Editor Ben Borland explains that rather than referring to the transgender doctor as “she“ or constructing sentences so that he is only ever referred to as “Dr Upton”, the Express has accepted the biological reality at the heart of this intriguing case.
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Witness statement of Maya Forstater in Sandie Peggie v NHS Fife and Dr Elizabeth Upton
Maya Forstater's statement for this Scottish Employment Tribunal in February 2025.
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YouGov / Sex Matters survey results, December 2024
Results of fieldwork on 18th–19th December 2024. Published by YouGov.
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Statement of case for the Scottish Ministers and the Lord Advocate
Statement of Case for the Scottish Ministers and Lord Advocate to the Supreme Court regarding the For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent) hearing.
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Gaslighting Scottish Rape Victims in the Name of ‘Trans Inclusion’
For three years, Edinburgh’s rape-crisis centre was run by a male CEO who lectured sex-assault victims and staff about their ‘prejudice’ against the male body. How was this allowed to happen? asks Joan Smith.
Publications
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Letter to the Minister for Women and Equalities about the EHRC guidance
Sex Matters wrote to Bridget Phillipson MP to raise our concerns about the fact that the new code of practice for service providers produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission includes a new section on “asking about sex”, which includes legally incorrect advice.
22nd May 2026
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EHRC code of practice: what you need to know
A two-page briefing on the Equality and Human Rights Commission's draft code of practice for services, public functions and associations.
15th May 2026
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Toilets, showers and changing rooms: what the law says (Easy Read)
An easy-read version of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s interim update for employers and service providers.
14th April 2026
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One year later
The Supreme Court made the law clear. So why are we still waiting for the rights of women and girls to be respected?
9th April 2026
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Sex Matters poll results March 2026
JL Partners asked a nationally representative sample of 1,500 UK adults thirteen questions about single-sex toilets and changing rooms, online between 28th February and 1st March 2026.
9th March 2026
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Skeleton argument for appeal in R (Sex Matters) v City of London
Sex Matters is appealing the judgment refusing our application for a judicial review of City of London Corporation in its management of Kenwood Ladies’ Pond.
20th February 2026
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A simple statement of the law on single-sex services and workplace facilities
The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s interim update of 25th April 2025.
20th February 2026
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Letter to the Prime Minister on single-sex services
On the fiftieth anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act, we wrote to Keir Starmer to ask for the civil service’s model policy on “gender identity and intersex” to be withdrawn.
29th December 2025