Sex matters in life and in law. It shouldn’t take courage to say so.

Sex Matters set to challenge City’s unlawful ponds policy

The City of London Corporation has decided to continue with its “trans inclusive” approach to admissions to the men’s and women’s ponds on Hampstead Heath. Chris Hayward, policy chair of the City of London, said that the decision would bring “certainty” and a “clear...

Housing men in women’s prisons is cruel and unlawful

In 2021, in the case of FDJ v Secretary of State for Justice, a female prisoner challenged the Ministry of Justice’s policy of housing some men who identify as women in women’s prisons. In particular, she challenged the lawfulness of allocating male prisoners who...

Sex matters in sport

Sport and physical recreation are one of the most obvious places where women and girls need dedicated provision and investment to ensure opportunity, fairness and safety. This is because men are, on average, taller, faster, and stronger than women. Female participation lags behind male...

Fighting bigotry in service provision

Most of the high-profile gender-critical belief-discrimination cases to date have related to workplaces. But gender-critical belief discrimination is unlawful in services, too – and now that Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities, has finally published the updated Code of practice for services,...

Sex is not “special category” data

The new Code of practice for services, public functions and associations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which was laid before Parliament on 21st May, is largely helpful and clear about how the protected characteristics of sex and gender reassignment interact with...

Maya Forstater, Fiona McAnena, Helen Joyce

EHRC guidance finally here!

The new code of practice explained in our weekly podcast.

What is in the new guidance?

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated Code of practice for services, public functions and associations has finally been agreed by the Minister for Women and Equalities and laid before Parliament. It is being agreed under the “negative procedure”which means that it is expected...

Will the government solve the sex-data problem in this Parliament?

As part of the King’s Speech on 13th May the government said that it will introduce a Digital Access to Services Bill during this Parliament in order to introduce a free, voluntary form of digital ID to modernise how citizens interact with public services....

Latest campaign

Keep the women’s pond for women

We are challenging the City of London Corporation on its unlawful policy of allowing men into the women’s bathing pond, showers and changing rooms at Hampstead Heath.

Find out more

Practical tools and guidance

For service providers, employees and service users

Toilets, showers and changing rooms: what the law says (Easy Read)

An easy-read version of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s interim update for employers and service providers.

14th April 2026
A simple statement of the law on single-sex services and workplace facilities

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s interim update of 25th April 2025.

20th February 2026
Providing single-sex services with confidence

A guide for service providers – how to be confident in understanding and using the Equality Act to respect...

10th October 2025
Gender-critical belief discrimination – briefing

What “gender critical” beliefs are; how employees and others are protected from belief discrimination; and how employers should deal...

10th October 2025
Changing rooms and toilets

How can you be sure that shared toilets or changing rooms that have a sign saying “women” are genuinely...

4th July 2025
Workplace toilets and changing rooms

We explain the legislation on workplace toilets, changing rooms and washing facilities; whose job it is to make sure...

3rd July 2025

Our principles

Reality

There are two sexes: female and male. People shouldn’t be afraid to say this.
Clarity

Organisations and governments should be clear about the sexes and where sex matters.
Human rights

Everybody’s human rights matter, including private life, freedom of beliefs and speech.
Democracy

A cohesive society depends on open debate and evidence-based policy making.