The UK’s Supreme Court has ruled that “man”, “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to sex, not self-ID or paperwork (gender-recognition certificates). This agreed with our legal interpretation. We have published new guidance and are in the process of updating our publications to reflect the judgment. We are also working to provide answers to the questions we're hearing from supporters and the media. We will publish these as soon as possible.

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Digital ID can’t be gender self-ID

We all have a right to have the fact of our sex correctly and reliably recorded.

The government’s Data Bill must get sex right.

Latest updates

Phone held in male hand has text "Trust me – FEMALE"

What’s the problem?

As the Sullivan Review has shown, many public bodies, including the Home Office, the NHS and the police, have replaced accurate data on sex with self-declared gender identity.

The government is now passing a Data Bill that will create a new system to allow people to prove their identity and facts about themselves using apps and online services with a government “trustmark”.

Unless the data problem is solved, the government will be putting a false and unreliable “proof” of sex in everyone’s pocket. Read our report.

What’s wrong with the data sources?

HM Passport Office

… HM Passport Office allows people to change their recorded sex with as little as a statement from themselves and one other person.

The DVLA

… allows people to change their recorded sex by making a declaration that they “solemnly and sincerely declare” they wish to live in the opposite gender.

The NHS

… allows people to change their registered sex on request. It then gives them a new NHS number.

Why does this matter?

The digital identity system will allow apps and services to provide reusable, government-assured verification of the “fact” that people are male or female, to let them apply for jobs or access services that are single-sex. Why does this matter?

Health and social care

Keeping people safe depends on knowing what sex they are. Medical diagnoses and drug prescriptions vary according to what kind of body you have, not what gender identity might be in your head.

Sport and leisure

Fairness and safety for women and girls depends on protecting the female category in sport, from elite level down to leisure activities. Showers and changing-rooms must also be women-only.

Women’s services

From hostels to refuges to rape crisis centres, networks of services for vulnerable people need to be able to communicate whether they are for women only or both sexes, and recognise and record the sex of the people they serve.

Take action now

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