Britain sets out rules for single-sex spaces following landmark sex definition ruling

LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday ​published long-awaited ‌guidance on applying equality law to ⁠single-sex spaces following a landmark 2025 ⁠ruling on the ​legal definition of sex, a move likely to intensify debate over transgender rights.

The guidance sets out ​when ‌organisations can lawfully exclude transgender people from women-only and men-only spaces - including toilets, changing rooms, hospital wards, refuges and sports - after the ​Supreme Court affirmed in April last ‌year that "sex" refers to biological sex.

That ruling means that a transgender woman ‌is legally considered male, and a transgender man is considered female.

Women and equalities minister Bridget ​Phillipson said in a statement that the code of ‌practice would help ensure "organisations across Great Britain have clear guidance regarding its implementation, protecting people's ⁠rights ⁠across our country."

The guidance, prepared ‌by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has been laid ​before ​parliament for a 40-day scrutiny period. ‌If there is no objection, it will replace the existing 2011 code. (Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; editing by William James)