Next steps to stop the bathroom ban
The UK’s national human rights institution, the EHRC, has been proposing a radical new interpretation of Britain’s Equality Act. Their draft Code of Practice seeks to mandate trans exclusion from everyday spaces, services and associations regardless of proportionality - devastating trans people’s ability to participate in public life. At Trans+ Solidarity Alliance we have been working hard to ensure trans voices are heard by decision-makers. We think what the EHRC is doing is dangerous, we don’t think it respects human rights, and politicians control what happens next.
A bathroom ban is not right for Britain, we must act to stop it.
Our Mass Lobby last month was a huge step in getting trans+ voices heard by our representatives. Meaningful conversations were had, records were broken and a powerful impression was certainly left on Parliament. Sadly, the fight is far from over.
Since then, the EHRC has closed their consultation on their proposals with over 50,000 responses. Every single person who told them how much their bathroom ban proposals would devastate trans+ lives did something that matters. They cannot say we didn’t warn them.
Now it’s time to continue the fight. We may not even see the new code until it’s too late. We need to see what the EHRC produces next, and the draft code needs proper scrutiny and an opportunity for MPs to have a say - this is not a deal to be done behind closed doors.
Wherever your MP stands - this is about fundamental human rights AND parliamentary sovereignty.
What now? 👀
We’re worried about what happens next. Unless the EHRC or Government choose to do otherwise, the first time MPs and the public get to see the new Code of Practice will be when it already has Ministerial approval.
After Ministerial approval, it will be set to automatically take effect 40 days later unless MPs or Lords pass a motion to stop it in its tracks. No scrutiny, no debate, no vote.
We think we should all get to see what the EHRC sends to the Government. More importantly, we think that the final draft should go through proper legislative scrutiny, and should be debated in parliament.
This is not a deal to be done behind closed doors. Fundamental rights are at stake, and decisions like this should not be made in this undemocratic way.
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We must keep pressure on politicians to act 📈
We were in Parliament again this week, talking to MPs about this issue. Letting them hear the real stories of trans people from around the country about the impact the draft Code of Practice would have on them.
We have produced a briefing document for MPs, found HERE, and one for Lords HERE. We have shared it with many parliamentarians, but we need your help: Will you share it with your own MP along with a message from you?
How you can keep making a differenceâš¡
We need you to tell politicians that this is an emergency, and the time to act is now. Wherever they stand, our fundamental human rights and parliamentary sovereignty is at stake.
You may have already written or spoken to your MP, but we’d like you to tell them this: don’t take away our rights behind closed doors. The code must be published when sent to the Government, ministers must be told anything similar to the current draft is unacceptable, and the final draft must receive proper scrutiny, debate and a democratic vote.
Use our briefing document as a guide, and send them a copy urging them to read it.
Ask them to stand up against secret decisions about fundamental rights.
Template to email your MP
We have made a template to help, but you should tell them why this matters to you as an individual - the
more personalised your letter is, the more likely you are to be heard.
Dear <insert MP name>,
I’m writing to you as I am concerned about the EHRC’s updated Code of Practice which I understand will not be possible for you as an MP or me as a member of the public to see until it has already been given ministerial approval, behind closed doors.
The draft Code of Practice if implemented will devastate the lives of trans+ people in the UK [insert your own concerns, use the briefing document to help with ideas]. With over 50,000 responses to the EHRC’s consultation on this and with the rights of a whole community on the line I think it’s important for you as my elected MP to stand up for human rights, parliamentary scrutiny, democracy and accountability.
I would urge you to:
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Read through the briefing document prepared by the Trans+ Solidarity Alliance, which I have attached to this email.
<Download the file here and attach it to your email> -
Write to Bridget Phillipson and Keir Starmer on the many concerns about the code outlined in the briefing document and the impact on <me / my family / my friends>
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Call for publication when the EHRC delivers the final draft
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Stand for Parliamentary sovereignty and demand the code is brought forward for proper scrutiny, debate and a democratic vote
As my MP, I trust you do not believe that major decisions on the fundamental human rights of UK citizens should take place behind closed doors.
With kind regards,
<insert name>
<insert postal address>
(Change/delete any <yellow text> )