Guidance
Here are all the Sex Matters publications, webinars and resource pages that give advice or guidance.
Use the Resources menu to see these filtered by users – employers, employees, MPs, parents, service providers and teachers.
For other types of publications, see our Reports – which include research, analysis, policy recommendations, and surveys done by Sex Matters – and Submissions, which include our letters and consultation responses.
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Media handbook on sex and gender
This handbook explains when and why it is right for journalists and editors to talk about people’s sex, and the problems that result if they fail to do so. It prioritises truth, accuracy and maintaining public trust, and within those constraints, minimising possible offence. August 2023: We have updated...
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Resources 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.
12th July 2023
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Make the Equality Act clear: resources for MPs
Links to the Westminster Hall debate on 12th June 2023, a single-sheet briefing for MPs, and other resources summarising the issues and answering frequently asked questions.
12th June 2023
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Sex in the Equality Act: the Westminster Hall debate – webinar
Helen Joyce talked to academic Michael Foran and barrister Naomi Cunningham on 8th June 2023 about the upcoming Westminster Hall debate on clarifying the Equality Act Among the questions discussed: Background To learn more about the details of our proposal and the thinking behind it, you can re-watch our...
1st June 2023
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Why social transition in schools is not possible and government guidance should say so clearly
It is not possible to treat any child as if they are a member of the opposite sex in a school environment. A clear analysis of the steps involved in social transition reveals that to do so inevitably exposes the child to unacceptable safeguarding risks and infringes other pupils’...
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Teenagers and gender distress: what parents need to know – webinar
Helen Joyce talked with researcher Matilda Gosling and psychotherapist Stella O’Malley on Tuesday 16th May about how parents can discuss gender-identity ideology with their children in a compassionate and evidence-based way. Watch the recording About the speakers Stella O’Malley is a psychotherapist, author and the founder and director of...
9th May 2023
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Teenagers and gender identity: the evidence base – part 3
by Matilda Gosling Part 3: How parents can support their children This paper is the final part of a series summarising the evidence base on teenagers and gender identity for parents. This part of the paper looks at practical ways in which parents of gender-questioning teenagers may be able to...
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Sex and gender identity: keep your pupils safe and comply with the law – guidance for schools in Wales
Our schools guidance, produced together with Transgender Trend, has been revised for schools in Wales. It draws on guidance from the Welsh Government, relevant legislation from the UK government, the interim report of the Cass Review, EHRC guidance, and others. The model policy is now available...
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Child gender medicine: the evidence – webinar
At this Sex Matters webinar, our director of advocacy, Helen Joyce, talked with sociologist Michael Biggs and social-science researcher Matilda Gosling about current practice in child gender medicine, and the poor quality of the research it is based on, on 23rd February 2023. Watch the recording About the speakers...
14th February 2023
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Sex and gender: model policy for schools
First published as part of our guidance for schools, this model policy is now in an unbranded Word document to make it easier to adapt for your school.
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Teenagers and gender identity: the evidence base – part 2
by Matilda Gosling Part 2: Treatment and outcomes This paper is the second of a three-part series summarising the evidence base on teenagers and gender identity for parents. This part examines medical treatment for gender distress in teenagers – namely puberty blockers and hormone treatment – and associated mental and...
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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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Your rights at work
The Equality Act 2010 protects people in England, Scotland and Wales from being discriminated against at work because they have gender-critical beliefs.
10th November 2022
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Toilets Matter: a Sex Matters webinar
Maya Forstater and Helen Joyce of Sex Matters were joined by journalist Rose George, author of The Big Necessity, on 18th November 2022 in the run-up to World Toilet Day. Watch the recording About the webinar World Toilet Day is a chance to focus on an issue that is...
8th November 2022
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Toilets matter – a short guide to law and good practice
For any organisation that provides toilets for customers, visitors, staff or students – this guide will help you think through your choices, identify risks of discrimination and harassment, and provide clarity to users.
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Teenagers and gender identity: the evidence base – part 1
by Matilda Gosling and Stella O’Malley Introduction and Part 1: Why might teenagers question their gender? A paper aimed at parents and those who simply want to understand more about gender identity in adolescence. This paper is the first of a three-part series summarising the evidence base on teenagers and...