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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Single sex spaces

332 replies

piloswi · 08/08/2025 15:02

I’m confused with single sex spaces and trans people and what people want.

My understanding is everyone must use the single sex space of their biological sex (I might be wrong). This is only spoken about in terms of trans women now having to use men’s toilets, etc. But this means trans men must use women’s toilets. So someone who looks like a man but biologically isn’t but mostly (imo) you can’t really tell with trans men whereas you often can with trans women.

Is this what the majority want? Surely if people are worried about ‘predatory men’ pretending to be a trans woman to use single sex spaces then they could equally claim to be a trans man as you can’t really ask them to prove it can you?

I guess I’m just wondering if I’m missing the point the point? Are the majority happy with this? I’ve seen posts of people being very happy with the ruling but only have spoken about trans women.

I don’t want this to be a trans bashing thread. Just would like to know what people would like to see as their ideal for single sex spaces while still respecting people

OP posts:
Brainworm · 08/08/2025 15:15

The ruling indicates that when a provision is designated a single sex provision, it should only be accessed by people whose biological sex matches the designation.

It does not follow that males with trans identities must use single sex provision for men. It is unlikely that it would be legally compliant to provide only single sex provision as this would discriminate against people with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

Helleofabore · 08/08/2025 15:13

piloswi · 08/08/2025 15:10

So is the ruling that all trans people use men’s single sex spaces?

Show quote history

No.

The ruling was that all people use the single sex spaces of the sex they belong to except in rare instances where they might cause distress by being in that space. Then they should be able to access alternative provisions.

This seems fair and proportionate.

RoyalCorgi · 08/08/2025 15:11

OP, the issue is really down to the Equality Act 2010, which makes it illegal to discriminate against people on the grounds of sex. It has exceptions to that, known as the single-sex exceptions, which means there are circumstances in which you CAN discriminate against people on the grounds of sex, eg changing rooms, sports, prisons, toilets, gay dating clubs etc.

"Sex" in the Equality Act means "biological sex" because, well, it has to, for consistency and clarity. If you want to change the Equality Act so that it says "single-sex spaces are allowed for one sex only, with the exception that women who identify as men should use the men's toilets", then feel free to lobby parliament to make it happen. Good luck with finding an argument that will persuade people.

Original poster
piloswi · 08/08/2025 15:10

Brainworm · 08/08/2025 15:06

A balanced solution is single sex provision and mixed sex provision so people who, for whatever reason, don’t want to use provision for their sex, have an alternative. This is also a legally sound option as it caters for the protected characteristics of sex and gender reassignment.

The supreme court ruling made it clear that it is lawful to exclude females with trans identities who pass as male to be excluded from female only provision - for reasons that shouldn’t need explaining. This too seems reasonable and proportionate.

So is the ruling that all trans people use men’s single sex spaces?

OP posts:
Brainworm · 08/08/2025 15:06

A balanced solution is single sex provision and mixed sex provision so people who, for whatever reason, don’t want to use provision for their sex, have an alternative. This is also a legally sound option as it caters for the protected characteristics of sex and gender reassignment.

The supreme court ruling made it clear that it is lawful to exclude females with trans identities who pass as male to be excluded from female only provision - for reasons that shouldn’t need explaining. This too seems reasonable and proportionate.

dementedpixie · 08/08/2025 15:06

I'm not sure i care which toilet a trans man would use. I would settle for trans women using facilties that arent intended for females so that women can have a their own spaces away from men, however they identify.

Screamingabdabz · 08/08/2025 15:03

I would happily share my toilet with a trans man. Because they are biologically female like me. Easy pee-sy.