Universities ignoring the legal definition of a woman means female students will have to share toilets and changing rooms with biological males, senior staff have warned.
Just a week before the start of the academic year, numerous top universities across the UK are yet to revise their policies on trans woman after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of a woman.
Wishing to remain anonymous for fear of being “vilified” by colleagues, women at University College London have divulged that the institution has continued to allow trans women to use female facilities.
The whistleblowers claim the University has not made any changes because it says it is waiting for further clarity on the ruling’s practical implications.
One said: “Bear in mind how many female students we have and will have from religious and cultural backgrounds.
“Their parents have no idea that their daughters could be forced to share toilets and changing rooms with men.”
The University of Edinburgh is amongst those yet to publish a revised policy after the Supreme Court’s ruling
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PA
Another said: “It undermines women’s dignity and privacy.”
In April, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that “woman” and “man” refer to biological women and men in the Equality Act, and “the concept of sex is binary”.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) then gave interim guidance which said “trans women should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities”.
A statement was released by UCL at the time which said it would give more information once guidance was provided.
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Whistleblowers at University College London have divulged that the institution has continued to allow trans women to use female facilities
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GETTY
However, the female whistleblowers say the institution’s approach has been hijacked by its LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group, who described the ruling as “regrettable” on an official UCL page.
Another academic said: “It’s quite mind-blowing. None of these statements say that this might be a massive relief for women.
“They’re not acknowledging the impact on more than half of the UCL population.
“I feel unseen, unheard. They are delegating women’s rights.”
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that ‘woman’ and ‘man’ refer to biological women and men in the Equality Act
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PA
Guidance from the University said: “On campus, trans students can use ‘men only’ or ‘women only’ changing rooms or toilets according to which one they feel most comfortable in, or that they feel is most appropriate for them.”
Both UCL and Bath claimed they were committed to fostering an “inclusive” community, but are waiting for updated guidance from the EHRC.
The University of Edinburgh said: “Our police is thoughtfully worded.
“We will continue to approach the Supreme Court judgement in a considered way, carefully and appropriately balancing everyone’s rights.”
A UCL spokesperson said: “We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community where staff and students can engage in open discussion in a climate of mutual respect and tolerance.
“We recognise that issues around sex and gender identity are deeply personal and often complex. Following the recent Supreme Court ruling, we are reviewing our policies carefully and awaiting updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
“A facilities audit is also underway to ensure our estate meets the needs of our community, and any guidance that may need to change is clearly marked ‘under review’.”
