Anyone else work at a Uni?

I think that’s why everywhere is waiting for the EHRC full guidance coming out. Then they can publish that word for word and shrug their shoulders when certain groups have a hissy fit and just say “sorry but don’t blame us, we’re forced to do this as it’s the law”

Is it KC?

they (over)fed the beast that they now won't be able to placate

Thats being going on everywhere, pandering woke idiots…..what a mess

Haven't read this yet but just on face value....what kind of a headline is that?

"Universities begin to update policies which were unlawful after supreme court judgement" is what we should be seeing.Its not Warwick banning trans students is it? They're completely with the law.

I do have some sympathy for the people having to compose something to send...but not much

Yeah, I alternate between feeling sorry for the senior managers who have to deal with this and remembering that they (over)fed the beast that they now won't be able to placate.

Think of the most captured Scottish university you can, I work in that one. Weeks ago I heard that a general email to staff was going to come out from the central university about the ruling - the context in which I heard this was that the senior person speaking had been arguing the mail should also go to students. Since then, crickets.

I do have some sympathy for the people having to compose something to send...but not much.

Do we know what the OfS is saying, exactly?

OP which uni are you at? If you don’t mind me asking…

University forced to grovel and retract updated policy after saying it will uphold the law:

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/warwick-proposes-banning-trans-people-preferred-toilets

According to the racists at the local UCU branch, banning males from women's toilets is the same thing as banning women of colour from them.

Wow. That’s a punchy response. Mine has issued a statement saying that the judgment did not change the law (even though our trans policy says trans people should use the toilets that match their gender ID) and they are waiting for the EHRC guidance. So pretty standard. Actually I was impressed at how measured and neutral it was. We are still members of the Stonewall scheme even though we are being asked to scrimp and save in every little thing. Cutting ties with Stonewall would be low-hanging fruit.

That said, we do have gender neutral toilets which have floor to ceiling cubicles but communal basins - I don’t think those are compliant with the workplace regulations. Thankfully my building is all single sex facilities.

😯😯

We have had an update…

We have an equality duty and to protect people we will carry on allowing staff, students and visitors to use the toilets they identify with. If anyone is so gauche as to want single sex toilets they aren’t one of us and can use the mixed -gender toilets.

I have read it a few times and it still doesn’t make sense but staff and students commenting seem happy.

Advance HE have issued this AHE-Supreme-Court-update-May-2025.pdf
Sensible/helpful in parts..infuriating in others but might be a useful reference to have at hand as it does focus on the need to uphold the law including in Equality Data monitoring etc

If I had an answer to that question, I’d be very grateful …

Oh dammit @wacademia - I've supported the 1752 group in the past. Why oh why do the handmaidens undermine their own sex?

Then what does make a woman different from a man? Why do those categories exist at all?

I'd be willing to bet we will never see an answer to that from a TRA in my lifetime.

We offer a mix of single-sex, accessible, and gender-neutral options

When someone writes this it's clear they haven't understood. All single-sex spaces are gender-neutral. Sex and gender are not the same thing.

Why don’t you ask your employer what this means and what policies and regulations they are referring to?

Have namechanged for this!

This is on the homepage

" Under the Equality Act 2010, all individuals are protected from discrimination based on characteristics such as sex, gender reassignment (affirmation), and disability. We recognise that as a result of the recent Supreme Court ruling much has been discussed about toilet and changing facilities, which can be a source of concern for some.
We want to reassure all students and staff that access to toilets and changing spaces at XXX University continues as normal. Our facilities remain inclusive and compliant with the Equality Act 2010 and recent legal guidance. We offer a mix of single-sex, accessible, and gender-neutral options to meet the needs of our diverse community.
There are no immediate changes to our policies or facilities. We remain committed to maintaining a respectful and supportive environment for everyone on campus.
Some of you have already been in contact and we want to assure that we are listening and working in the background. We will be engaging with more of you in time to understand people's thoughts and concerns further.
If you have questions or need support regarding access to facilities, we encourage you to reach out to our People Services Team or Student Support Services. "

I wonder what is "gender reassignment (affirmation)" pretty sure that's not the wording in the Equality Act.

What does "Access to toilets and changing spaces ...continues as normal" mean, I also wonder.

Of course it is. Class and disability are the biggest barriers out there.

Oh dear, that article … “To put it bluntly: the absence of LGBTQ+ representation in official communications sends a damaging message about the validity of these communities’ experiences.”

My employer sends plenty of communications about this community, on all the holy days, during Pride month, and on many other occasions. And what does “validity” even mean in this context? People aren’t train tickets …

My sense is that compared to other sectors, academia is very welcoming to LGBTQ people. (Not if they are gender critical.) LGBTQ people are not marginalised in academia but, if anything, over-represented. That does not mean that they don’t face other challenges or discrimination outside our sector. Personally, I think class is a bigger barrier to career success in academe, though.

Yes @WineNoMore20 that comment is excellent (more than can be said for the article)

You were not rude @Unluckyjim I genuinely know how awful the environment is in universities right now

My institution has convened a working group of senior leaders to discuss- I’ve participated in a forum- which wholly focussed on the impact of the ruling on Trans Women- the question was asked-“would we be so slow to address a ruling that impacted upon any other protected group?’
errmmm . Women??’https://wonkhe.com/blogs/the-implications-for-uk-universities-of-trumps-attacks-on-edi/

thought this comment on the article was a very well articulated