Publications
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Support, advice and guidance for parents
Starting points for parents looking for support, advice and information (mainly focused on the UK) on how to help gender-questioning, gender-distressed and trans-identifying children.
21st November 2024
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Sex and the Data Bill – briefing for Parliamentarians
The second reading of the Data (Use and Access) Bill in the House of Lords is on Tuesday 19th November 2024. This two-page briefing gives a brief analysis of a problem with the government’s data verification services framework, the results this might cause, and our proposed solution. Large-print version...
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Sex and the Data Bill – beware of building digital identities on sand
The government's new data verification services framework has a critical flaw: government data itself is not trustworthy when it comes to the core personal characteristic of sex.
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Written intervention to the Supreme Court on the definition of sex
Sex Matters, represented by Ben Cooper KC and David Welsh, is intervening in the appeal in the case of For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers, which will be heard by the Supreme Court on 26th and 27th November 2024. We argue that “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 should...
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Briefing on our intervention to the Supreme Court on the definition of sex
This six-page briefing looks at our key arguments why “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 should be construed as referring to biological sex. Sex Matters, represented by Ben Cooper KC and David Welsh, is intervening in the appeal in the case of For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers, which...
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Response to EHRC strategy
We respond to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s draft strategic plan for 2025 to 2028 to thank the EHRC for its work, and its chair for her courage, and call on it to continue to work on the issue of sex-based rights, and to apply the equality and...
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Amending the Equality Act 2010 to protect women’s rights – technical briefing for MPs
A one-page overview followed by detailed analysis of the underlying legal issues and a simple legislative solution. Large-print version of this briefing.
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Schools model policy – editable
Our whole-school model policy on sex-based rules and record-keeping, formatted as a Word document for schools to adapt. See also the glossy PDF version. Read more about why this policy is needed.
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Sex-based rules and record-keeping – a whole-school model policy
See also the editable version in Word, for schools to adapt. Read more about why this policy is needed. This model policy specifies how a school records, communicates and uses data on the sex of all pupils, and any rules that treat girls and boys differently but fairly. It...
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Stand up for single-sex services – why it’s time to make the Equality Act clear
Women and girls depend on female-only services, spaces, sports and associations for privacy, dignity, fairness and safety. The Equality Act 2010 allows for single-sex provision and protects against sex discrimination and harassment. It is time for the government to step in and make the Equality Act 2010 clear so...
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The problem of male inclusion in women’s sport
A three-page briefing explaining what’s going on in Olympic boxing and the background information you need. Large-print version of this briefing. See also our one-page briefing on sport and DSDs (disorders of sex development).
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Briefing on sport and DSDs (disorders of sex development)
A one-page briefing on male sporting advantage and why DSDs matter in sport. Large-print version of this briefing. See also our three-page briefing explaining what’s going on in Olympic boxing and the background information you need.
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Puberty blockers FAQs
Briefing for MPs and peers, July 2024. A two-page summary of the most frequently asked questions about puberty-suppressing drugs. Large-print version. See also our more detailed briefing for MPs on puberty blockers.
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Puberty blockers – a briefing for MPs
We explain the background to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s decision to end the use of puberty blockers for gender distress, based on the recommendations of the Cass Review. Large-print version of this briefing. See also our two-page Puberty blockers FAQs for MPs.
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Letter to the Prime Minister: five tests for legislation to ban conversion practices
Alongside other organisations, we wrote to Keir Starmer to ask him to commit to five tests that must be satisfied before going forward with any legislation on “conversion therapy”.
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Briefing on new poll on sex and gender
The law on sex and gender: what policies do the public want? Results of Sex Matters poll.
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Applying for a gender-recognition certificate: the facts
Is the process “intrusive, outdated and humiliating”? This briefing examines the evidence.
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NHS Constitution 10-year review: response to the consultation
As part of the 2024 10-year review of the NHS Constitution, new provisions have been proposed on sex and gender. We explain these and give our responses to the consultation.
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Letter to Gavin Stephens, National Police Chiefs’ Council
From Sex Matters, Women’s Rights Network and LGB Alliance. “We will not take part in a consultation process designed to whitewash the development of another abusive guidance document.“
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Make the Equality Act clear – PPC briefing
Briefing for prospective parliamentary candidates, 3rd June 2024, after the Conservative party announced it would include this in its election manifesto. What does it mean, and why does it matter? Large-print version of this briefing.
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Action guide – stand up for single-sex services
We want to make sure that every candidate seeking to be an MP hears that people want them to STAND UP FOR SINGLE-SEX SERVICES. Every voice counts – our campaign action guide has a poster to print out, ideas for what to say to canvassers who come to your...
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Learning from the Jo Phoenix case
What universities and their regulators need to know and do
What happened at the Open University was not an isolated problem, and it was not just about Phoenix. This briefing tells the story of the case based on the findings of the employment tribunal, and sets out lessons for the university... -
Academic mobbing – what university management needs to know
Ian Pace, Professor of Music, Culture and Society at City, University of London, writes for Sex Matters on the phenomenon of workplace mobbing, drawing on studies of dissent under totalitarian regimes and the phenomenon of groupthink. He explores why mobbing seems to be on the rise in universities, with...
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Gender-distressed youth and suicide risk – factsheet
The possibility of suicide can be a concern for parents with a child experiencing distress about their sex, and for the professionals working with that family, as well as for officials and politicians setting policy. This factsheet summarises research and addresses myths, misunderstandings and scaremongering.
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Who can play women’s football in England?
Briefing for parliamentarians from Sex Matters, April 2024. Includes details of current FA and FIFA policies on the inclusion of trans-identifying males.
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Counsel’s opinion in the matter of King’s College London academic promotions criteria
KCL’s promotion policy discriminates on the basis of gender-critical beliefs, and will also be likely to contravene the new law on academic freedom due to come into force in August 2024.
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Digital verification services
– how the government can solve the problem about sex (or else sleepwalk into chaos)
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The Cass Review – initial analysis
The Cass Review of gender-identity services for children and young people has published its final report and recommendations. Sex Matters says: This is a breakthrough. It’s a huge step forward, with multiple implications that will be hugely consequential.
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Response to Department for Education consultation on national minimum standards for further education residential accommodation
Aims to align the standards with the position on residential accommodation being consulted on in the draft "Gender Questioning Children: non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges in England".
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Input to the report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls
For the UN General Assembly on violence against women and girls in sport. Sent with Fair Play For Women's report How 'inclusion' in sport is harming women and girls.
