Commit to not amending the Equality Act's definition of sex
138,886 people signed this petition to the UK Parliament after it opened on 15 November 2022; it closed on 15 May 2023. The Government responded on 25 January 2023. MPs debated it in Westminster Hall on 12 June 2023.
The petition
The petition's creator is not named in the Petitions site's published record. Quoted in full from the UK Parliament petitions site.
Commit to not amending the Equality Act's definition of sex
It has been reported that the Government may amend the Equality Act to "make it clear that sex means biological sex rather than gender." The Government has previously committed to not remove legal protections for trans people, an already marginalised group, but this change would do so.
Currently, the Act protects trans people from discrimination on the basis of both sex and “gender reassignment”, regardless of whether they have undergone medical transition or hold a Gender Recognition Certificate. It can allow trans people to access single-sex spaces such as DV shelters, bathrooms and hospital wards.
The proposed change would remove a legal protection for trans people and encourage discrimination. We ask the Government to refuse this change to the Equality Act 2010.
The Government's response
The Government published its response on 25 January 2023; the petitions site lists the Cabinet Office as responsible. Its summary:
This Government believes in individual liberty. There are processes with appropriate checks to allow for those who wish to legally change their gender. Changes to the Equality Act are not necessary.
The response in full:
The Equality Act 2010 provides protection against discrimination, harassment and victimisation across a number of grounds, including sex. We are committed to upholding Britain’s long-standing record of protecting the rights of individuals against unlawful discrimination.
The Government is also committed to maintaining the safeguards that allow organisations to provide single-sex services. It is important that the principle of being able to operate spaces reserved for women and girls is maintained, in line with the Equality Act. Government is committed to tackling harassment and abusive behaviours by all individuals, and ensuring single-sex spaces are safe for those using them.
The Act makes it clear that providers have the right to restrict use of spaces on the basis of sex and gender reassignment where this is justified.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have published guidance on the existing legislation which provides much needed clarity to those offering single-sex spaces.
Finally, this Government believes in the principle of individual liberty and in the humanity and dignity of every person. There are processes in place, with the right checks and balances, to allow for those who wish to legally change their gender to do so. We have listened to the responses in the Gender Recognition Act consultation and have taken steps to modernise the way that individuals can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate as a result, reducing the cost and moving the process online. Everyone that decides to transition, deserves our respect, support and compassion.
Cabinet Office
Where the signatures came from
Signatures came from 650 constituencies on the boundaries used until the 2024 general election. The largest number, 1,445, came from Brighton, Pavilion.
137,404 of the signatures were from the UK and 1,482 from elsewhere, by the location signers gave.
| Constituency | Signatures |
|---|---|
| Brighton, Pavilion | 1,445 |
| Hackney North and Stoke Newington | 1,422 |
| Bethnal Green and Bow | 1,349 |
| Lewisham, Deptford | 1,256 |
| Hackney South and Shoreditch | 1,221 |
| Bristol West | 1,204 |
| Camberwell and Peckham | 1,140 |
| Manchester Central | 1,027 |
| Islington North | 894 |
| Tottenham | 887 |
| Region | Signatures |
|---|---|
| London | 30,241 |
| South East | 20,179 |
| North West | 13,295 |
| South West | 12,775 |
| Scotland | 11,901 |
| East of England | 11,230 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 10,310 |
| West Midlands | 7,760 |
| East Midlands | 7,466 |
| Wales | 5,300 |
| North East | 4,396 |
| Northern Ireland | 1,447 |
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated the petition in Westminster Hall on 12 June 2023. Read the debate in Hansard. House of Commons Library debate pack.
Source and receipt
- https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/627984.jsonUK Parliament Petitions API · read 2026-10-15 · SHA-256
3c50e079723070db… - The petition on petition.parliament.uk
The petition's words are its creator's and the response is the Government's; this site quotes both and gives no view on either. Signature counts can still change while a petition is open. To report an error, send a correction request.