What Just Happened to the T?

On today's show we take a deep dive into the upcoming EHRC guidance. What it is, what it means, where it gets it wrong, and what you can do about it. The team are joined by Jaquie.Jaquie is a well-known figure in the Bristol LGBTQ+ community and runs Queer Tango, creating inclusive, community-led spaces based on consent, respect and safety. She’s coming to this interview with real experience of managing shared spaces in practice, so her perspective is grounded in what actually works for people on the ground, not just theory or legal interpretation.The interview focused on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) proposal for updated guidance on single-sex spaces following the Supreme Court ruling on “biological sex” under the Equality Act. The guidance suggests that, in some situations, access to facilities like toilets or changing rooms may be based on sex at birth, while also saying people should not be left without access. This has become highly controversial, particularly for trans people, because it raises questions about how organisations are expected to apply these rules in everyday settings.Jaquie’s key point is that, while the proposal may appear clear in legal terms, it is very difficult to apply safely and fairly in real life. Many venues don’t have alternative facilities, there is no clear or lawful way to identify someone’s sex at birth, and enforcing this kind of policy risks confrontation, misidentification and exclusion—not just for trans people, but for anyone who doesn’t fit gender expectations. From a community perspective, the concern is that the guidance could create confusion and unintended harm, while placing a heavy burden on staff and volunteers without giving them workable solutions.