Lords Attempt to Delay Labor’s Trans Guidance on Single-Sex Spaces
LONDON – A cross-party group of peers is actively working to delay the implementation of Labour’s guidance on single-sex spaces,raising concerns about its potential impact on equality and sparking a fierce debate over women’s rights and transgender inclusion. The group, which includes prominent figures like Lord Cashman, co-founder of Stonewall, and Baroness Chakrabarti, is pushing for greater scrutiny of draft statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights commission (EHRC) before it is presented to Parliament.
The effort, detailed in a document circulating among peers, aims to ensure the guidance is “credible, authoritative and committed to upholding equality for all communities.” The document calls for ministers to undertake “thorough consultation and legal due diligence” before laying the draft guidance before Parliament, warning that failure to do so could result in a “harmful” document vulnerable to legal challenge. Peers are encouraged to question ministers on the consultation process, legal reviews, and equality impact assessments, as well as raise concerns about the “balance and credibility” of future EHRC appointments.
The group also includes Baroness Thornton, former Labour health minister; Baroness Alexander, former Scottish Labour leader; Baroness Barker (Lib Dem); Baroness Ramsey and Baroness Donaghy.
The proposed EHRC Code of Practice, exceeding 300 pages in length, seeks to clarify the application of the Equality Act regarding single-sex services and spaces. The debate centers on interpretations of the Act, particularly concerning the rights of transgender individuals and the protection of women and girls.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho, who labelled the effort “outrageous” and accused the peers of prioritizing “dither and delay” over the protection of women and girls. “Bridget Phillipson needs to get on with the day job and publish the EHRC guidance instantly,” Coutinho stated.
Maya Forstater, chief executive of the charity Sex Matters, described the peers’ actions as “devastating” and a “wicked attempt” to prioritize the wishes of “trans identifying men” over the “privacy, dignity and safety of women and girls.” Forstater emphasized the Supreme Court’s rulings on the Equality Act, stating that “women’s rights depend on recognising that everyone is either male or female, and no one can change sex.” She called on the government to “stamp on this disgraceful behavior” and confirm the Code of Practice.
A government spokesman confirmed the draft guidance is under consideration and will be laid before Parliament if approved, acknowledging the need to follow the correct process given its length.
The EHRC has been contacted for comment.
This controversy underscores the ongoing and deeply divisive national conversation surrounding transgender rights,single-sex spaces,and the interpretation of equality legislation. the EHRC guidance is intended to provide clarity on these complex issues, but its development and implementation are proving to be highly contested.
