Two-thirds support trans people using bathrooms matching gender identity
A young transgender woman looking in a bathroom mirror. (Gender Spectrum Collection/Broadly)
A survey conducted by the City of London has found that two-thirds of people support trans people using bathrooms that match their gender identity.
The City of London Corporation, which governs inside London’s Square Mile, undertook an online public survey on trans inclusion in public services in 2018.
Majority support for trans people using bathrooms that match gender identity
The results, published on Thursday (April 17), reveal that an overwhelming majority of respondents support trans people’s right to use facilities that match their gender identity.
68 percent of respondents said that people should be able to access services that match their gender identity, in line with the Equality Act 2010, while 26 percent disagreed.
65 percent of respondents said people should be able to use services matching their gender identity without providing ‘proof’. (PinkNews)
65 percent of respondents said that service users should not be asked to provide ‘proof’ of their gender identity at single-gender services and facilities, allowing service users to self-identify their gender. 29 percent were opposed.
The report also notes that the survey received a number of responses containing “offensive, abusive and vulgar views (…) from respondents with no clear link to the City of London.”
The abusive messages follow media coverage in the national press criticising the survey.
A Sunday Times article about the survey in July 2018 incorrectly claimed that the review “could give trans women the ability to use ladies’ public toilets for the first time.”
In January, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) ruled that the article was misleading, as trans people are not currently banned from using the bathrooms of their preferred gender.
City of London will push ahead with inclusive gender identity policy
The City Corporation says it is now looking to adopt a Gender Identity Policy to ensure it has “a clear and consistent approach to gender identity” in its service delivery.
Edward Lord, chair of the City’s establishment committee, said: “These results show that the overwhelming majority of people want to ensure public services do not discriminate against trans people.
“We all have a responsibility to respect all communities and ensure that equality and basic human rights are upheld.
“Our vision is to build and support a strong, sustainable and cohesive society in the capital and beyond.”
A non-binary femme in a gender neutral bathroom. (Gender Spectrum Collection/Broadly)
Lord, who is non-binary, added: “We aspire to be a leader in equality and inclusion, serving a wide range of communities including Londoners, UK and international visitors, City residents and workers, businesses and our own staff.
“We will use this survey to inform our own policy on gender identity to help make sure our own services and workplaces are fully inclusive.”
