Analysis
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Lesbians without liberty
With a foreword by Joanna Cherry, this document investigates how the UK denies freedom of association to women who love women.
Discriminating against people because of their sexual orientation is a violation of their fundamental human rights. Alongside comments from many lesbians, we explain how the law needs to... -
Freedom of belief matters
Sex Matters’ response to a call for input by the United Nations’ Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
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Sex and gender in schools: what government guidance needs to say
Sex Matters analyses what the Department for Education’s guidance should say, and sets out ten principles against which it should be judged.
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Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and the UK
This paper, prepared by Sex Matters, considers whether the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (GRR Bill) is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, examines the bill’s potential adverse effects and sets out considerations for a challenge under Section 33 or Section 35 of the Scotland Act.
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Gender-questioning teenagers: puberty blockers and hormone treatment vs placebo
This technical paper adds to the literature on the treatment of gender dysphoria by using data from comparable studies on teenagers’ mental health to assess whether puberty blockers and hormone treatment are better than placebo at alleviating distress.
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The need for a joined-up approach to children with gender dysphoria
Sex Matters’ response to NHS England’s interim service specification. We call on the NHS, the DfE, Ofsted and the EHRC to develop a shared conception of what are reasonable requests for social accommodation, based on a common understanding of the Equality Act and on safeguarding.
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Why Sex Matters is calling for clarification of the Equality Act 2010
Sex Matters has launched a petition calling on the government to clarify that in the Equality Act 2010, “sex” means biological sex, and is not modified by the Gender Recognition Act 2004. This would protect the rights of people of both sexes, as well as people who identify as...
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Why sex matters for human rights – our organisational framework
Sex Matters’ mission is to promote clarity on sex in law and policy in order to protect everybody’s human rights. This document sets out the key human rights that are relevant, and why and how our work is guided by the promotion of human rights. (Also see our short guide...
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How can the Equal Treatment Bench Book be made fit for purpose?
The Bench Book is produced by the Judicial College for judges and magistrates in England and Wales as a guide to the needs and characteristics of the diversity of people who may come into contact with the courts. We explain why it’s not fit for purpose, and what needs...
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Why single-sex services matter: privacy, dignity, safety and choice (full report)
Full report (133 pages): see also 30-minute read and key findings. Over the past few years many single-sex services and spaces have been changed to mixed sex, but few of the people who use them have been asked how they feel about this. Our report amplifies those voices.
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Why single-sex services matter: privacy, dignity, safety and choice (key findings)
Key findings: see also full report (133 pages) and 30-minute read. Over the past few years many single-sex services and spaces have been changed to mixed sex, but few of the people who use them have been asked how they feel about this. Our report amplifies those voices.
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Why single-sex services matter: privacy, dignity, safety and choice (30-minute read)
30-minute read: see also full report (133 pages) and key findings. Over the past few years many single-sex services and spaces have been changed to mixed sex, but few of the people who use them have been asked how they feel about this. Our report amplifies those voices.
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Briefing for conversion therapy debate
The Government has decided to introduce a law banning “gay conversion therapy’”, but following consultation decided not to introduce a law criminalising therapy in relation to “gender identity”. On Monday 13th June 2022 there will be a Westminster Hall debate where the issue will be raised again.
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Briefing: “Conversion” therapy or just therapy?
There has been a media report that a young patient has complained to the General Medical Council about Dr Az Hakeem, accusing him of “conversion therapy”. This is Sex Matters’ brief analysis.
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Response to Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
Sex Matters’ response to the government consultation, submitted on 9th May 2022. The rules for obtaining a GRC should not differ across the UK. There are serious implications to removing the medical diagnosis, reducing the qualifying period, and reducing the minimum age, and giving secrecy provisions.
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Why ban talking therapy?
How a campaign to criminalise the most effective treatment for gender-distressed children made it from the margins to the mainstream: we look at the history of conversion therapy.