Edinburgh Uni imposes ‘reckless’ trans policy on single-sex spaces

A new Edinburgh University policy allows men who self-identify as female to use women’s toilets and facilities.

The University of Edinburgh’s Trans Policy (Students) document states that “all students can use the toilet facilities that align with their gender identity”. Women’s rights campaigners have criticised it as illegal and dangerous.

It has been revealed that the Staff Pride Network was the only staff body involved in the review of the policy.

‘Unacceptable’

The policy claimed that pronouns are ‘integral’ to self-identification, listing “he/him”, “she/her”, “they/them”, and “he/she/they/ze” as options.

The University said: “National sporting governing bodies may restrict participation of trans people in certain national and international competitions, but these do not restrict participation in our own sports clubs and programmes.”

An equality impact assessment did not anticipate any “material negative impacts” of the new policy, but claimed there might be a “perceived” negative impact on women with safety concerns over gender-neutral spaces.

But MSP Tess White responded: “It is simply unacceptable that female staff and students at the University of Edinburgh do not have guaranteed single-sex facilities available to them. This is just the latest example of the SNP’s reckless gender self-ID policy being embedded in Scotland’s institutions, at the expense of the legal rights and safety of women.”

‘Ignoring the law’

Fiona McAnena, Director of Campaigns at women’s group Sex Matters, asked: “What will it take for organisations to take seriously their legal responsibility to provide safety and dignity to female staff, and students in this case, through the provision of separate-sex facilities?”

“Women and men have separate toilets and changing rooms for good reason. The leadership of Edinburgh University should stop listening to activists and fulfil its legal obligations.”

McAnena warned that Edinburgh University was “putting itself at risk” by ignoring the legal requirement for single-sex facilities to be provided in workplaces, emphasising: “Nothing in the Equality Act changes that fact.”

Equality watchdog

Last month, the Equality and Human Rights Commission reminded Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray of its role in enforcing Equality Act compliance across Britain in relation to the provision of single-sex services and spaces.

The intervention followed the case of experienced nurse Sandie Peggie who was reprimanded, investigated, and suspended for months after she objected to sharing NHS Fife’s female changing rooms with Dr Upton, a man who purports to be a woman.

Fife’s HR department – in the name of ‘inclusivity’ and respecting someone’s self-declared gender identity – defended the right of the male-bodied doctor to be present while Mrs Peggie and other female members of staff changed for work.

In May 2024, Sandie Peggie brought an action before an employment tribunal against NHS Fife and Dr Upton for sexual harassment and discrimination over her recognition of biological reality. The case is set to resume in July.