
ALT On the 6th May, it was announced that new legislation will be brought forward that requires separate male and female toilets in all new public buildings in England. According to the legislation, separate unisex toilets will only be provided if there is space. Galop has been supporting LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse for decades. In our frontline services, we regularly hear from trans+ clients who are too scared to use public toilets for fear of being attacked. Many of these clients risk their health by deliberately dehydrating themselves to avoid public toilets completely.

ALT We’ve also seen an increase in cis women who have been harassed, discriminated against and refused entry to female toilets, based on other people’s perception of their gender. The Government’s plans will exacerbate this informal policing of gender non-conforming people and women in single-sex spaces. These upcoming changes to building regulations are part of a wider Government rhetoric which seeks to reduce the rights and freedoms of trans+ people, and attempts to conflate trans+ people as perpetrators of abuse and violence towards women and girls.

ALT This narrative not only reduces the freedom and safety of trans+ people and puts the wider LGBT+ community at risk of abuse and violence, but also fails to address the root causes of violence against women and girls. We urge all businesses and public buildings to offer gender neutral toilets so everyone, including trans+ people, has a space they can use without fear. It’s vital the Government stops framing trans rights and women’s rights as being in opposition, and instead makes it a priority to ensure that every person is afforded equal protection from abuse and violence.

ALT On Saturday 10th February, a trans teenage girl was stabbed 14 times in an attempted murder that police are treating as a transphobic hate crime. This news will deeply impact trans+ people’s sense of safety, as well as the safety of the wider LGBT+ community. The vilification and dehumanisation of trans+ people by the British media, the Government, and the Prime Minster is contributing to the widespread abuse and violence that the trans+ community are experiencing. This must stop. The Government’s priority should be on tackling the rising levels of violence trans+ people are facing on a daily basis.

ALT In Galop’s services, we’re seeing increasing numbers of young trans+ and non-binary people being subjected to bullying, abuse and violence. Our thoughts are with the victim as she recovers from this violent attack, and every other trans+ person who feels unsafe. If you’re struggling with this news, we're here for you. You can call the National LGBT+ Abuse and Violence Helpline on 0800 999 5428, email [email protected] or chat to us via webchat at galop.org.uk. We're run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, so you'll speaking to someone who understands.

















