Galop is working with the wider LGBT+ sector to review the judgment in the Good Law Project vs Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) legal case. 

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Good Law Project was challenging the interim guidance released by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) after last year’s Supreme Court ruling on the definition of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act. The interim guidance was published in April, then withdrawn in October. 

The Government is currently reviewing the full EHRC Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations. They can choose to accept the Code of Practice, or require the EHRC to amend it.  

Galop believes that the EHRC’s proposed Code of Practice on the Supreme Court ruling risks leaving LGBT+ victims and survivors with less access to support, and more vulnerable to abuse. You can read more about our response to the consultation here.  

In Galop’s frontline services, we’ve seen increases in the number of trans+ people coming to us for support since the Supreme Court ruling and subsequent EHRC proposals.  

We hear from trans+ clients who are too scared to use toilets in public places. Many of these clients risk their health by deliberately dehydrating themselves to completely avoid using toilets. We’ve also had cases of cisgender women who have been harassed, discriminated against, and refused entry to female toilets, based on other people’s perception of their gender.  

Trans rights and women’s rights are not irreconcilable – we believe that through meaningful engagement with trans and LGBT+ charities, communities and businesses, recommendations can be made to support and further the rights and protections of everyone.  We urge the Government, the Minister for Women and Equalities and the EHRC to ensure their decisions afford trans people safety, dignity, and equal rights.