Quakers concerned over impact of new UK trans guidance on inclusion and rights
Guidance around trans issues from the UK's human rights commission must uphold the rights and dignity of all, including trans and non-binary people, Quakers in Britain have said.
Quakers in Britain committed to making Quaker communities a welcoming environment for trans and non-binary people at their Yearly Meeting in 2021.
When the Supreme Court made their judgement in April, Quakers in Britain spoke out to reassure Quakers that it did not change their unwavering commitment to building a welcoming and loving community for all.
The UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission issued interim guidance following the Supreme Court ruling in April that the definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010 should be interpreted as 'biological' sex only.
Responding to the EHRC's consultation process on that guidance, Quakers urged them to make it clearer how organisations which wish to be trans inclusive can operate.
Draft guidance could lead to suspicion and policing
They warned that the draft guidance could lead to suspicion and policing of people's gender expression - including cisgender people - and risks harassment and distress for all.
Quakers reiterated their belief that trans people should not be expected to answer questions which would not be asked of cisgender people.
In the rush for clarity, contested and technical terms like 'biological sex' are used in a way that increases confusion and binary thinking, Quakers wrote.
"We acknowledge that the EHRC must work with the legal definitions provided by the Supreme Court, but we urge you to remember our collective mission of ensuring that we can uphold the rights and dignity of all," they added.
The EHRC were consulting on guidance changes for services, public functions and associations made following the UK Supreme Court ruling on 16 April 2025 in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Government.