On 21st of May, 2026, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), laid its updated code of practice before parliament. The changes to the Code, born out of the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling in the For Women Scotland case (which ruled that under the Equality Act 2010, the term ‘sex’ refers to an individual’s sex assigned at birth) came into effect on the 5th of August. The updated Code includes practical guidance for services, public functions and associations on how to apply last year’s supreme court ruling to single-sex services and spaces.
We understand that the implications of the updated Code are deeply worrying for our trans, intersex and non-binary students. We stand in solidarity with you and wish to reaffirm LSESU’s longstanding advocacy for trans inclusion and support for trans, intersex and non-binary identities.
What does the updated code of practice actually mean for trans people’s access to facilities and services?
Many UK public bodies, including LSESU, are working hard to understand what implementation of this Code may look like in practice.
What we do know is that this code of practice says that public bodies may choose to exclude trans people from their single-sex services, that if a trans person does access a service, then it may no longer be described as single sex, and that they must provide trans people with appropriate services. In line with the revised Code, service providers may be asked to enforce single-sex rules that exclude trans people from public life.
LSESU’s position
We understand that this news is alarming to many of our trans, intersex and non-binary community.
LSESU has consistently stood for trans inclusion and has engaged with the university on the Code’s impact on the wider LSE community, including last summer’s Listening and Engagement exercise. Student perspectives in these focus groups overwhelmingly favoured trans inclusion at LSE and LSESU. We firmly stand by our belief that trans and non-binary people are exactly who they say they are and should not face exclusion or potential policing based on their identity.
We want to reassure all students that the safety and welfare of our members remain our top priority, and that LSESU is a safe space for you, whoever you are.
What is LSESU doing about the new code of practice?
Over the last academic year we have been working with our trans and LGBTQ+ student community, alongside LSE’s trade unions, to keep this issue on the agenda at LSE. The School has published a webpage with background on the Code and they have provided a roadmap for facilities access and policy implementation. LSESU will remain unequivocal in our advocacy for trans and non-binary students throughout every stage of this process, as we continue to champion students’ wish for inclusion.
Support
The legal provisions related to those who hold the protected characteristic of gender reassignment have not changed: harassment, discrimination or victimisation on the basis of any protected characteristic remain unlawful.
Trans and non-binary students are valued and respected members of our community, LSESU will not tolerate any harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment.
If you, or someone you know, has been negatively impacted, or has concerns about the new Code, the following avenues of support are available:
For support outside LSE and LSESU, you can contact the following organisations:
Trans-specific support:
LGBTQ+-specific support:
Ardour Kelshiker-Williams, Welfare and Liberation officer, LSESU