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EHSU Statement on the EHRC Code of Practice

On the 21st of May the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) released its finalised Code of Practice on the use of single sex spaces. This code of practice was updated following the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers (For Women Scotland) [2025] which ruled that, regarding the Equalities Act (2010), a person's sex is defined by their sex assigned at birth.  

Edge Hill Students’ Union recognises that this is a deeply upsetting and troubling issue for many of our students and wish to re-assure them that we will continue to support our trans and gender non-conforming students to the best of our abilities. The Students’ Union building will continue to act as a safe space for all students, and our bathrooms have always been, and will continue to be, gender neutral for all students.  

While the SU are taking time to review the updated guidance, we wish to reassure you that this guidance does not replace equality protection, and being transgender remains a protected characteristic for which it is illegal to be discriminated against. This guidance does not give anyone permission to discriminate, exclude, or erode the dignity of trans people. These protections remain in force, and they matter now more than ever. We will share further information on the rights of trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students, including clear guidance on what the guidance does and does not mean in practice, as soon as we are able.  

If you would like to make your voice heard before this code of practice passes into law, you can send a letter or an email to your MP demanding they support and sign EDM 240 to reject the EHRC code of practice. To find out who your local MP is and how to contact them go onto the government website. Just put in your postcode, find your MP and send them an email, a letter, or a DM on socials. If your MP has signed their support to EDM 240 - please send a letter showing your appreciation of this.

 

The MP for the West Lancashire area is Ashley Dalton, who can be contacted on: ashley.dalton.mp@parliament.uk 

 

In the meantime, if you are affected by this news and need support, you can contact the EHSU Trans Students’ officer Xen Appleby at transtudentsofficer@edgehill.ac.uk for any support, or you can join the LGBTQ+ society (@ehsu_lgbtq.society). You can also contact the following organisations which are here to help:  

  • Gendered Intelligence Support Line on 0800 640 8046, via WhatsApp on 07592 650 496 or by email via supportline@genderedintelligence.co.uk. 

  • Switchboard LGBTQIA+ helpline: phone, email or chat at switchboard.lgbt (Every day, 10am-10pm) on 08000 119100. 

  • Mermaids: support for trans young people at mermaidsuk.org.uk (Monday – Friday, 1pm – 8:30pm) on 0808 801 0400. 

  • Galop: support for LGBTQ+ victims of abuse and violence at galop.org.uk  

  • Trans Legal Clinic: trans-led legal clinic providing free, high-quality legal help to trans and non-binary people across the UK at: https://www.translegalclinic.com/