For MPs
Here are all the Sex Matters briefings for MPs. You may also want to look at our updates, publications and external resources on the legal system.
To be added to our MPs mailing list or to request information, email Laura Pascal, our head of public affairs, at [email protected]
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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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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. 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. 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. 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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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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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?
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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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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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Health and Equality Acts (Amendment) Bill – briefing
This private member’s bill‘s second reading is on the House of Commons agenda for the morning of Friday 15th March 2024. This single-page briefing explains why it’s important.
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Conversion therapy and the Cooper report – parliamentary briefing
See also our more detailed parliamentary briefing on conversion therapy.
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Conversion therapy: understanding the GALOP survey – parliamentary briefing
See also our more detailed parliamentary briefing on conversion therapy.
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Parliamentary briefing: conversion therapy
A detailed briefing on the issues. See also our short briefings on conversion therapy and the Cooper report and understanding the Galop survey.
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Briefing on report Women’s services: a sector silenced
For the Westminster meeting on 17th January 2024, a briefing on our report on the effects of gender-identity beliefs on the women's sector.
Read the report.
Read the summary. -
Sex and the law in December 2023 – a briefing
Briefing from Sex Matters for a meeting of the Women and Equalities Committee on 13th December 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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Why Sex Matters is calling for clarification of the Equality Act 2010 – a briefing
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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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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Gender-neutral drafting and the MOMA bill – briefing
Why was the word ‘woman’ taken out of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances (MOMA) Bill?