Sex Matters are asking you to email your MP this weekend

I think the cherry on the garbled cake is the link to a Hansard debate about 'Support for Trans People'.

That's what I took from it.

What about the trans people?!?! <wails>

Clearly not wanting to respect the judgment then. 🙄

This is the response I got from my MP, LD

Thank you for taking the time to contact me about women’s rights and the implications of the For Women Scotland v The Lord Advocate and Scottish Ministers judgment.

I appreciate you writing to me so thoughtfully on this deeply important and often sensitive topic. I understand your concerns about how the Equality Act is being interpreted and how that impacts single-sex spaces, services and opportunities. I also recognise your frustration at the lack of clarity that has, for too long, left service providers uncertain about what is lawful, and women and girls feeling that their dignity, privacy or safety may not always be properly protected.

The Liberal Democrats respect the ruling of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland, as we do all judgments of the Supreme Court. I therefore feel that, as a priority, the Government must now provide further guidance and clarity on what this judgment means in practice. This guidance must ensure, as the ruling itself makes clear, that everyone’s rights and dignity are upheld, including those of women and trans people. The Liberal Democrats will keep pressing for this clarity from ministers.

However, I do recognise that the reporting and political debate around this judgment have unfortunately caused confusion and concern and in some cases inflamed an already toxic public conversation. I believe we must move beyond that toxicity. What people deserve – women, trans people, and everyone affected — is calm, good-faith dialogue about ensuring safety, dignity and fairness for all.

With regard to the forthcoming EHRC Code of Practice, we need to wait and see the final version before reaching definitive conclusions. Ultimately, the detail really matters, so we will scrutinise the guidance properly when it is published. However, the Liberal Democrats are clear: existing rights must be protected, including those of trans people and women.

This news has already caused understandable distress and uncertainty among many trans people. The Government must provide clear reassurance that any guidance will protect the dignity, safety and rights of all and ensure that trans people are not prevented from participating in parts of public life because there are no facilities they can safely use. We also need clarity for those responsible for implementing this guidance, including many charities, small businesses and local organisations.

The Liberal Democrats responded to the EHRC consultation. Our submission made clear that we believe the interim Code of Practice has not yet found that positive way forward. We raised a number of concerns about how these policies would protect trans people from discrimination and harassment, uphold their right to privacy and support inclusion in public spaces.

^In Parliament, my colleague Lisa Smart MP, the Liberal Democrat Women and Equalities Spokesperson, asked a question to the Government’s Women and Equalities Unit ministers on 3 September, calling for proper parliamentary scrutiny of the final guidance once published. You can read the exchange on Parliament’s website: hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-09-03/debates/5DB3D139-40F1-4D5D-90EA-DF7D63224900/SupportForTransPeople#contribution-EBBA0AAB-0F2C-45E1-8704-D75CF617F8B9^

Lisa also wrote, along with other Liberal Democrat MPs, to the Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson MP, on 8 September. That letter raised concerns that the interim EHRC guidance has left too many trans people anxious and excluded, and urged the Government to ensure the final version is debated and subject to a free vote in Parliament to help build trust and fairness in how these issues are resolved.

Thank you again for contacting me. I believe that women’s rights, and the rights of all individuals, must be treated with seriousness, respect, and compassion. We will only move forward constructively by rejecting division and engaging with one another in good faith. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch again if you have any further concerns.

I think it was a mail merge, it was addressed 'Dear [my initial]' and I wasn't that thoughtful 😃

I have acceded to the wishes of the thread, and fired off the SM email this morning, so even as I speak, it is winging its way to the 'Evil Terf Bigots' folder! 😀

I got a response from mine already, and he seems up to date with the issue. I'm really encouraged.

I'll digest it further after work.

Done, it's very quick and easy with their link.

Mine was very TWAW a few years ago, he's since come round. There's always hope (even if it's just them following the crowd). We need to get our voices heard (just like the TRAs have done)

Done, though without much hope of getting through to my MP.

Done, and got DH to send it too.

Done. I’ve written to my MP before about the data issue and got a ‘blah blah blah’ response so I’m expecting more of the same.

Done. Mine does at least usually acknowledge, and sometimes reply, to these things. I am fairly certain he's not one of the handmaidens though, or doesn't identify as a handmaiden, since he's pissed off TRAs in the past.

Done

I agree......but at most all that would need to be offered is a single gender neutral facility if one really wanted to be 'inclusive'.

I dont think the concern is about costs of changing or creating additional toilets.

Employers are terrified of the TRAs.

They are terrified there are going to be law suits, accusations of transphobia, mental health distress.

So even though on one level it is about reasonable, easy adjustment, that isn't they real problem.

The TRAs are in charge, and no one thinks women are important enought to take a stand for, even if the highest court in the land has told them that legally they should.

Done! Thank you for the link; it ties in nicely with my last two emails that I recently sent my MP (Peter Kyle).

It's still worth sending an email. The more of us who do, the fewer votes they can assume are theirs. Eventually that does focus minds.

I don't see that there's any obligation to provide a gender neutral option at all. You just need to provide men's, women's and disabled. Nothing says there has to be a gender neutral option.

@Shortshriftandlethal agree
@NeatRoseOtter Many facilities that have incorrect labelling at present were originally male or female only facilities and the only thing that the business changed is the label. Which is why there are now gender neutral loos signed with with or without urinals. So just change the label back!

There are a few buildings which will have built unisex facilities in the past few years which are not university self-contained toilets - because they were taking Stonewall sourced advice. Perhaps these could be given longer to comply with the law.

What was particularly galling from looking at the businesses that signed the letter was that many will have no toilet facilities and not need them. For example mobile hairdressers. This was not a good faith letter.

Done.
If anyone remembers 'plebgate' that's my guy.

I've messaged her m about womens rights before.
IIRC got a 'I'm not arsed' vibe from his reply - but he DID respond which is something.

Also done. Time to call the government to account for openly colluding with trans extremists trying to breach the law.