Single sex services
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Attorney-general clarifies the law for schools
In an interview with The Times, Suella Braverman said schools should treat children according to their sex, not their self-identified gender. Sex Matters welcomes Braverman’s comments, which align with Sex Matters’ guidance. The Department for Education is currently drawing up new guidance for schools. Suella Braverman said: Under-18s cannot get...
27th May 2022
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Yes, sex DOES matter in changing rooms
Following our blog post, more than 1,500 customers wrote to Monsoon to tell them why female-only changing rooms are important. Here’s one letter: “Dear Monsoon,What on earth are you thinking? Please get a sense of proportion here. The vast majority of your customers are female and will not take...
13th May 2022
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Self-ID: tell the Scottish Parliament your views!
When the Gender Recognition Act came into force in 2004, it was a single regime for the UK. The Scottish Executive at the time considered whether Scotland should have separate legislation, but rejected this approach due to “cross-border anomalies”. In 2019 the UK government stepped back from its plan...
3rd May 2022
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Statutory Codes of Practice under review
On 27th April 2022, at a seminar on single-sex services and the Equality Act 2010, at Matrix Chambers, Equality and Human Rights Commissioner Akua Reindorf shared news that the EHRC is reviewing the statutory Codes of Practice. This responds to concern that the new guidance on single and separate...
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![“We make it really clear to all women when they access [the service] that there is the potential for trans women to be in that group and that that’s just how it is.” Service provider cited in the research supporting the Survivors' Network letter](https://sex-matters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Survivors-Network-letter.png)
Single-sex services: the Survivors’ Network response
On 4th April 2022 the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued new guidance on the law on single and separate-sex services, making clear that services for women don’t have to include trans-identifying males. This has been widely welcomed by leaders of women’s organisations in discussions we have been having,...
27th April 2022
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Analysis of the open letter to the Equality and Human Rights Commission from the Survivors’ Network
On 4th April 2022 the EHRC issued new guidance on the law on single-sex and separate-sex services, which was widely welcomed by women’s organisations. But Survivors’ Network (supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse in Sussex) published an open letter criticising the new guidance. This briefing considers its contents.
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Send our new guidance to a school you know
Schools are calling out for clear guidance on sex and gender to answer questions such as what should they do when they face demands to socially transition children or to keep the secrets of a child who identifies as trans.
25th April 2022
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Sex matters in changing rooms
A story was reported in the media last week about Charlie, a “non-binary teenager”, being excluded from the fitting rooms of the women’s clothing retailer Monsoon in Birmingham. According to the report, Charlie (for avoidance of doubt, a young man) was told to leave the cubicle and then the...
20th April 2022
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Girlguiding settles gender-critical case
Girlguiding UK has released a statement saying it has settled its legal case with Katie Alcock. Katie Alcock and fellow guide leader Helen Watts were expelled from Girlguiding after an investigation into their social-media activity when they raised safeguarding concerns about Girlguiding’s policy of admitting male children and adults...
19th April 2022
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A letter to the Fawcett Society
Dear Fawcett Society Your response to the EHRC guide for separate and single-sex service providers is dismaying. You say “there are occasions where services, in particular those for trauma survivors, should be able to make the decision” . Which services do...
6th April 2022
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Statement on EHRC guidance
Sex Matters welcomes new guidance on single-sex services and calls on EHRC to revise the statutory codes of practice.
4th April 2022
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Separate and single-sex service providers: a guide on the Equality Act sex and gender reassignment exceptions
Advice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, released on 4th April 2022. Read our statement about it.
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Launch of #RespectMySex campaign
Together with Heather Binning of the Women’s Rights Network and Caroline ffiske of Women Uniting, on Saturday 2nd April Maya Forstater, the executive director of Sex Matters, launched the “Respect My Sex if You Want My X” campaign.
3rd April 2022
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What happens when we talk about single-sex services and the law
On 24th March, Sex Matters Director Rebecca Bull presented at the A Woman’s Place is in Manchester event, on single-sex services and the law, in a session chaired by Sex Matters Director Dr Emma Hilton. She spoke alongside Cathy Devine, Judith Green and Maggy Moyo. Here is Rebecca’s presentation,...
28th March 2022
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By and for women
Aurora New Dawn runs services supporting victims of male violence. This research supports Aurora’s commitment to the use of ‘by and for women’ support.
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Human-rights campaigners call for new statutory guidance on single-sex services
Over the past week the Women’s Aid Federation and the Women’s Resource Centre have released strong statements defending single-sex services. They follow the example of nia, which was the first women’s refuge provider to openly and proudly defend single-sex services. Sex Matters supports and applauds the leadership taken by the...
24th March 2022