The Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Councillor Bella Sankey has issued a statement following the publication the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s guidance on single sex spaces.
Councillor Sankey said: “The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance published last week creates confusion and concern, impacting the rights and dignity of trans people.
“The guidance creates a deeply confusing picture which sees trans people being told in the same breath that they may not be able to use facilities aligned with either their sex at birth or their gender. This creates crippling uncertainty and insecurity for affected individuals and it is deeply unfair.
“Trans and non-binary residents of our city have told us that the chilling effect is already being felt with some trans people avoiding accessing services including hospitals and healthcare, to avoid challenge and discrimination.
“The guidance also leaves service providers and businesses without the clarity they require. And, it risks women and men who don’t conform to traditional gender stereotypes being questioned and denied access to facilities they are entitled to.
“This guidance must be withdrawn and parliament must urgently act and legislate to clarify that trans people have the right to participate in everyday life in an inclusive way.
“Our Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex (TNBI) residents and visitors make a huge contribution to the life and character of our city. Brighton & Hove would not be who we are without them.
“As a council, we remain firmly committed to being a place where our LGBTQIA+ colleagues – including our trans and non-binary staff – feel valued, respected and safe at work.
“That will remain our clear position because we believe everyone deserves dignity, equality and equity under the law.”