Standing with our Trans Community
Website statement on the EHRC Guidance on single sex spaces. Issued 5th June 2026
Pride Month is a time to celebrate how far we've come — but it's also a moment to be honest about the challenges that remain. The recent EHRC guidance, following last year's Supreme Court ruling on the definition of "sex" in the Equality Act, represents a painful backwards step for our trans brothers and sisters, arriving at a time when our community should be moving forward together.
The updated guidance means organisations can lawfully restrict trans people from single-sex spaces based on biological sex — affecting everyday moments that most of us take for granted. Trans people retain legal protections against discrimination, but the practical impact on their safety, dignity, and ability to simply exist in public life is real, and we won't minimise it.
Proud Watford believes in a place without prejudice — for every member of our community, without exception. That means speaking up when the law falls short of that vision.
We're encouraging everyone in our community to write to our local MP, Matt Turmaine, to make their feelings known in their own words. Respectful, personal letters from constituents carry real weight.
You can reach him at: matt.turmaine.mp@parliament.uk
The EHRC code is still subject to parliamentary review. There is still time for voices to be heard.
A brief summary of where things stand
In April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the word "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex. This means that, under the Act, trans women are not legally recognised as women and trans men are not legally recognised as men — even those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate.
In response, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) updated its Code of Practice in May 2026, giving organisations guidance on how to apply the ruling in practice. Under the updated code, service providers — including hospitals, gyms, leisure centres, and workplaces — can lawfully restrict trans people from using single-sex spaces that don't correspond to their biological sex. Where they do so, they are advised to provide a third or gender-neutral alternative.
Importantly, gender reassignment remains a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Trans people cannot simply be discriminated against or treated with hostility — the law still affords them protections. However, the practical effect of the guidance on everyday life is significant, and the EHRC's own equality impact assessment acknowledges that the impacts on trans people are likely to be negative.
The code is not yet law. It was laid before Parliament on 21st May 2026 and is subject to a 40-day review period. Parliament has the opportunity to disapprove it. If it does not, the government will set a date for it to come into force.
It is also worth noting that the EHRC is a UK body. The European Court of Human Rights — a separate institution, based in Strasbourg — continues to uphold that gender identity is a fundamental aspect of a person's private life, deserving of legal respect and protection. The direction of travel in the UK runs counter to the broader European human rights framework.
Note: This summary reflects the position as of June 2026. As this is a fast-moving area of law, we recommend following the national news and organisations highlighted in our LGBTQIA resource hub for continuing information.