Let’s go to Parliament! 

On Wednesday 11th September, we will be going to the UK Parliament to lobby MPs to stand up for single-sex services and make the Equality Act clear.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to join us – we will be in touch by email.  

Sign up for the lobby day has now closed, but if you had thought about coming, please email your MP and ask for a meeting at their regular surgery in your constituency.

Why are we going to Parliament?

The new government has said it will protect single-sex services for women, but it hasn’t said how. 

The current approach isn’t working. Service providers and employers are afraid to uphold clear rules. Women are being forced to undress in front of trans-identified males in their workplaces and leisure facilities, are being searched by trans-identified male police officers, and cannot be confident that “same-sex” healthcare provision or support after domestic abuse or rape will be genuinely female-only. 

Confusion in the law is causing serious real-world harm, including lesbians being denied freedom of association without the presence of trans-identifying men, males sharing accommodation with girls on overnight trips, and men and boys entering women and girls’ sporting competitions. 

Parliament must act to protect women’s rights to dignity, safety and privacy.

Together with the Women’s Rights Network and other groups, we will be taking supporters into Parliament to meet their MPs. We want to make sure the call to stand up for single-sex services is heard loud and clear in Westminster, by MPs of every party. 

We are going to Westminster to lobby MPs in person

During the general-election campaign, thousands took action — writing to candidates, asking tough questions, putting up posters and spreading the word on social media. Now, we are taking the message to MPs in Parliament. We want to get as many people as possible to speak to their MP on the same day to make a real impact. Both men and women are welcome. 

What is a lobby day?

A lobby day is when people go to Parliament together to speak to their MPs. You write to your MP in advance to tell them you are coming and ask for a meeting.

What will happen on the day?

We will meet in a room in Parliament from where you can go to meet your MP, or “green card” them if they have not responded to your email in advance. 

“Green carding” is where people collect and fill in a green card to let their MP know that a constituent is in Parliament, requesting a meeting. It is a short form which you fill in with your name, address, email and the issue you want to speak to your MP about. If an MP is present in Parliament, the convention is that if they receive a green card, they should meet their constituent.

Our team will be there to support you with advice for your meeting, briefings about where to go and what to do, and materials to give your MP. 

We’ve also arranged tours of the Houses of Parliament, a photo in Parliament Square and a get-together afterwards (details to be confirmed closer to the date).

You’ll need to make your way to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster by 1pm on Wednesday, 11th September. We’ll share exact timings and meeting points closer to the date.

Next steps

1. Sex Matters will have had a copy of the email you sent to your MP using our form, so we’ll know you have contacted them.
2. If your MP responds agreeing to meet, you’ll need to reply to them to accept.
3. Please forward any responses you receive from your MP to [email protected]. 
4. Ahead of the day, we’ll email everyone who is attending and provide a detailed briefing on the key issues we want to raise, including tips on how to have a successful meeting with your MP and what to expect during your visit to Parliament.

If you signed up to attend the lobby day on Wednesday 11th September, please check your inbox for emails from Sex Matters.

The deadline for completing the form was 5pm on Wednesday 4th September.