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From Wednesday 5 August, updated Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance comes into effect, following last year's Supreme Court ruling on the legal definitions of sex under the Equality Act.
When the Equality and Human Rights Commissions updated guidance takes effect, the key takeaway from the guidance is that it reflects the Supreme Court’s ruling that “sex”, “man” and “woman” under the Equality Act refer to sex at birth. While this has been the legal position since the Supreme Court ruling, the Code seeks to support with understanding the law and must be taken into account by courts and tribunals when considering legal challenges.
We want to speak to our trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students directly, about what this doesn't change: you belong at UCL. We know that the Supreme Court ruling and this updated EHRC guidance has left many of you feeling scared. This is not the environment we want for our community and we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a trans inclusive environment and will continue to support and further the rights of trans students at UCL and advocate for your safety, wellbeing and place in our community.
Gender reassignment remains a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Harassment, discrimination or victimisation on the basis of any protected characteristic, remains unlawful. Nothing about this updated guidance gives anyone licence to treat our trans and non-binary community with anything less than respect and dignity.
Our Trans* Students' Network and LGBTQ+ Network are there for community, events, and peer support, run by and for students who understand what you're going through. They are free to join, and you can get involved at any point during the year. If you're joining UCL for the first time this year or returning in September, we want you to know exactly what kind of union is here to support you. We’ll be running welcome events in the first few weeks of the new term where you can meet your community.
If cost is a barrier to feeling comfortable in your gender expression, our Gender Expression Fund is open all year. If you're facing discrimination or harassment, or just need help navigating UCL's processes, our Advice Service offers free, confidential, independent support. We fully believe that you should be able to self-identify, and we will keep celebrating and uplifting our gender-diverse student community through everything we run.
One of the practical questions on people's minds is facilities, which follow guidance set out by UCL. “Following the Supreme Court ruling, UCL undertook a survey of its facilities to ensure that we have a mix of facilities across our estate so that everyone in our community can be assured that they can work and study here with dignity. We have compiled a full list of facilities across our estate. We will keep this list under review and continue to augment the provision of facilities as part of an ongoing estates improvement programme.” Read UCL’s latest statement.
Our paramount concern is ensuring that all our students feel safe from discrimination and harassment. We know these changes have caused real anxiety for trans and non-binary students, staff, and allies. We share that concern, and we will keep advocating for any changes to be implemented with dignity for everyone, and to guard against this guidance being used to exclude or police anyone's gender beyond what the law requires.
We will continue to challenge unacceptable behaviour and gender-based discrimination. If you ever feel unsafe, or something doesn’t feel right at any of our venues, events or activities, please reach out to us. We are here to help you.
We will continue to show up for our trans students through our events, campaigns, and student networks. We’re here to represent you and if you have feedback or ideas, please get in contact by emailing [email protected].
Your sabbatical team; Christian, Audrey, Vivian, Sarah, Rawleka, Anam.
You can also find additional support through these external organisations:
- Switchboard LGBTQIA+ helpline: phone, email or chat at switchboard.lgbt
- Mermaids: support for trans young people at mermaidsuk.org.uk
- MindOut: LGBTQ+ counselling at mindout.org.uk