Standing up for trans rights at your local council

First published on 2nd July 2025.

Introduction

Transphobia is on the rise across the UK, including in mainstream politics. This is not an accident but rather the result of a prolonged campaign by extremists, funded by dark money, to manipulate media and politics in the UK to roll back trans rights, in part as a way to open the door for a broader attack on equality and an inclusive society. But we can all do something about it by standing up for trans rights and challenging this extremism head on.

(If you're interested in learning more about this right-wing influence campaign, which has included getting transphobes appointed to write government reports, such as the Cass Review of trans healthcare, and to lead important public bodies, like the Equality and Human Rights Commission, then we recommend the links at the bottom of this article)

Why you should do something

There are already various excellent groups trying to fight back at a national level, such as the Good Law Project and Trans Actual. Their work is incredibly important and deserves your support, if you can give it.

But this battle for an equal and inclusive society will be won not just in the courts or in parliament but in society as a whole. And that's where all of us have the power to do something meaningful locally.

Local government, in the form of local councils (at every level), has a huge amount of influence which is often overlooked. Right now right-wing extremists and transphobic pressure groups are looking for every opportunity they can to use misinformation and bullying to get local government to legitimise and normalise trans-exclusionary policies.

Reform UK and Tory councils are already taking down LGBT+ Pride flags and trying to police toilets on the grounds of "protecting our women", the same argument they often use to demonise immigrants and minority ethnic groups.

Those in local government who don't agree with this agenda are often keeping their heads down and trying to avoid controversy. When only one side, the far-right, is being vocal and lobbying them on an issue, then it is easy to give that pressure group what it wants. It's only when people from the other side of politics push back that local councils can have the courage to stand up for trans rights and for equality in general.

And, because local government usually no more than two dozen key players amongst both staff and elected councillors, even one single person, with persistence, can have a huge influence on decision-making. You could be that person, and we want to help you to do it.

What you can do

There are three main ways local government can be influenced: questions, motions and petitions. Let's quickly run through each of them.

Questions:

Any councillor or member of the public is entitled to ask a question of the leadership at a full council meeting, and councils publish rules on how to ask a question on their websites.

By asking a council to oppose gender-based harassment of people using public toilets or to affirm their support for equality and inclusion you send a message that this is an issue that local people care about and you can push the council's leadership to nail their colours to the mast.

In most cases local leaders are broadly supportive of LGBT+ rights (because that's what the majority of the British public is) so getting them to affirm that in public can help send a message that your local area is trans-inclusive, and if local leaders are anti-trans then forcing them to admit so publicly is a great wake-up call for others who don't share their views and can encourage them to rally to do something about it.

We have example questions below.

Motions

Every council will have a procedure by which any councillor can propose a formal motion for debate at full council. Usually this requires just two councillors. Any motion passed by full council becomes the official policy of the council, but even a motion which isn't passed will be an opportunity for councillors and members of the public to speak out for trans rights and to educate councillors who have a poor understanding of the issue.

If you're a councillor then you can propose a motion yourself, but even if you're not a councillor all you need to do is to find one or two sympathetic councillors in your area and ask them to propose a motion using one of the templates below.

Petitions

Councils are usually required to have a public petition scheme which sets out rules for how they will handle petitions. Normally any petition which gets a certain number of signatures is required to be debated at a council meeting of some kind. The number of signatures required is often very small (it could be as few as 50 in some cases), but councils only rarely receive petitions so this can be a great way to raise the issue of trans rights.

If you can find enough people to sign a petition then it can work like a super-charged version of a public question, requiring a public discussion by councillors and requiring a formal response to the petitioners. Any of our example questions or motions could be turned into a petition, and even if the council leadership doesn't agree to the petition's requests they will usually agree to at least meet with the petitioners, which can be a great chance to explain the issue and influence senior councillors and staff.

Example Questions

You can ask any or all of these questions at an upcoming council meeting. Just check the council's website for their calendar of upcoming meetings, find the next full meeting and then look up the rules/process for submitting a question. Please feel free to adapt and localise any of these questions as you see fit.

Question 1:

In recent months, we have witnessed a concerning rise in transphobic rhetoric and actions across the UK. Trans people, particularly trans women and non-binary individuals, are being increasingly subjected to surveillance, harassment, and exclusion when accessing public spaces - especially toilets and changing facilities. Some organisations are now attempting to restrict access to single-sex changing rooms based on “biological sex”.

These actions not only breach the spirit and letter of the Equality Act 2010, but also risk normalising discrimination in our communities.

Will the council leadership, therefore, confirm that [local council name] will adopt a clear and enforceable policy/commitment that protects the rights of trans and non-binary people when accessing toilets and changing facilities, and ensure that this policy is replicated in the actions taken by its contractors?

A policy should include ensuring that [local council name] issues strict instructions against gender-policing in council toilets and changing rooms, and require council staff to not:

a. interrogate any person using these facilities regarding their gender, who is not otherwise causing a nuisance
b. Ask individuals to produce documentation to “prove” their gender
c. Ask individuals to partially or fully undress to prove their gender
d. Search, touch or otherwise manhandle individuals with the intent of determining their gender
e. Carry out internet, records or database searches with the intent of identifying an individual’s gender with regard to the use of these facilities
f. Remove individuals from these facilities or call the Police to do so, solely on the grounds of their perceived gender
g. Advise anyone or adopt any policy of advising anyone to use the disabled toilets solely on the grounds of their perceived gender.

These commitments are not only a legal obligation under the Equality Act, but a moral imperative to ensure that [local area name] remains safe, welcoming and inclusive for all.

Question 2:

Given the concerning rise in transphobic rhetoric and actions across the UK, will the Council ensure that policy on respecting the rights of trans and non-binary people is consistent across all Council establishments, properties and facilities?

Specifically, will the Council:

Promptly update the gender recorded for residents when requested to do so;
Manage the data related to such changes as Sensitive in the context of data protection regulations;
Treat trans people for all purposes in the gender they present in, understanding trans people may not have updated their identity records?

Question 3:

In the spirit of involving, collaborating, and empowering residents, will [local council name] commit to engaging directly with trans affirming & trans-led organisations on the drafting and implementation of any new policies arising directly from a Statutory Code of Practice issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission?

Example Motions

Different councils have different rules on motions for debate at a full council meeting, but usually only one or two councillors are needed to submit a motion.

If you're a councillor yourself you've got a headstart on bringing a motion to full council, but if you're not then all you need to do is try speaking to local councillors (ideally through an in-person meeting or on the phone if possible) to find ones willing to submit the motion for you.

Some councils have word-limits on the length of motions, so feel free to edit these down as needed. The important thing to do is to make sure the motion always a) notes important background context, b) expresses what the council believes on the topic, and c) resolves the council to do/commit to something.

If the motion is set to be debated at the council meeting then make sure that you try to get supportive members of the public to attend the meeting to show support for it and try to get people to register in advance as public speakers to ask the council to support the motion.

Motion to protect the rights of trans people in accessing gender based toilets and facilities

Council notes that:

A. The Supreme Court, in the case of For Women Scotland v the Scottish Ministers, ruled that the terms “man”, “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to ‘biological sex’, and that the Scottish Government’s effort to increase women’s representation on public boards therefore did not entail representation by trans women with a Gender Recognition Certificate as it had intended.
B. Interim guidance published, and then retracted, by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has suggested that trans women should not be permitted to use women’s facilities, and trans men should not be permitted to use men’s facilities, in workplaces and services open to the public.
C. The Supreme Court judgement, and following interim guidance from the EHRC, has caused great anxiety, uncertainty, and fear for the trans community, as well as confusion for organisations.
D. Law requiring respect for trans rights has not changed, for instance the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 on protected characteristics and associated case law, and the Supreme Court reaffirmed that trans people’s rights must be respected under the law.

Council believes:

I. Public facilities such as changing rooms and toilets should be open to and inclusive of everyone, regardless of whether their gender identity matches that assigned at birth or not.
II. Everyone should be safe and free to be themselves, without fear of hostility or violence, and the erosion of trans rights threatens everyone’s rights.
III. The trans community in [local area name] deserve clarity and reassurance on how their rights will be protected.
IV. Everyone should be allowed to peacefully use public facilities without being harassed, intimidated or interrogated.

Council resolves to:

Affirm that all gender segregated facilities provided by the council, such as toilets and changing facilities are provided on the basis of gender identity, not biological sex at birth, and are intended for use by all those of the corresponding gender identity regardless of whether that gender identity matches their sex as assigned at birth
Commit to protecting the rights of trans and non-binary people when accessing toilets and changing facilities, and require council contractors to act in a way consistent with this commitment when running events/facilities on the council's behalf.
Require the council's senior management to issue instructions and guidance against gender-policing in council toilets and changing rooms, including instructions for council staff to not:
1. interrogate any person using these facilities regarding their gender, who is not otherwise causing a nuisance
2. Ask individuals to produce documentation to “prove” their gender
3. Ask individuals to partially or fully undress to prove their gender
4. Search, touch or otherwise manhandle individuals with the intent of determining their gender
5. Carry out internet, records or database searches with the intent of identifying an individual’s gender with regard to the use of these facilities
6. Remove individuals from these facilities or call the police to do so, solely on the grounds of their perceived gender
7. Advise anyone or adopt any policy of advising anyone to use the disabled toilets solely on the grounds of their perceived gender.

Motion to support trans people and provide gender-neutral facilities

Council notes that:

A. The Supreme Court, in the case of For Women Scotland v the Scottish Ministers, ruled that the terms “man”, “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to ‘biological sex’, and that the Scottish Government’s effort to increase women’s representation on public boards therefore did not entail representation by trans women with a Gender Recognition Certificate as it had intended.
B. Interim guidance published, and then retracted, by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has suggested that trans women should not be permitted to use women’s facilities, and trans men should not be permitted to use men’s facilities, in workplaces and services open to the public.
C. The Supreme Court judgement, and following interim guidance from the EHRC, has caused great anxiety, uncertainty, and fear for the trans community.
D. Law requiring respect for trans rights has not changed, for instance the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 on protected characteristics and associated case law, and the Supreme Court reaffirmed that trans people’s rights must be respected under the law.
E. A recent Galop survey found that two-thirds of LGBT+ respondents had experienced anti-LGBT+ violence or abuse, and abuse is particularly severe for trans people.
F. The LGBT+ community are more likely to experience disproportionately poor health outcomes, workplace conflict, homeless, and difficulties accessing public services

Council believes:

I. Trans women are women, trans men are men, and non binary people are non binary.
II. Everyone should be safe and free to be themselves, without fear of hostility or violence, and the erosion of trans rights threatens everyone’s rights.
III. Nobody’s life chances should be limited or determined because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
IV. The trans community deserve clarity and reassurance on how their rights will be protected.
V. Parliament must act to clarify how Gender Recognition Certificates interact with the Equality Act 2010, ensuring that Gender Recognition Certificates recognise trans people’s gender identities for all purposes under the law.

Council resolves to:

Affirm our support for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse residents and our commitment to defending their rights and dignity.
Instruct the Chief Executive / Leader of the Council to write to the Minister for Women and Equalities to make clear the position of this council and to ask: For guidance on how existing legislation will protect the rights of trans people; What new legislation is envisaged, and; to seek legal advice before altering guidance for staff or the provision of services in light of the Supreme Court judgement
Where it is appropriate and practical to do so, provide gender-neutral bathrooms and changing room facilities, separate to and including similar facilities for disabled people.
Commit to ensuring that [AREA NAME] is welcoming and inclusive to the LGBT+ community, embracing difference and ensuring action to ensure the safety of all residents.

Petitions

If you are unable to get a positive response from your local council by means of the above motions and questions, or if you can't find councillors willing to bring a motion to the council, then you can adapt any of these motions or questions into a public petition calling on the council to do what the question/motion was asking.

Useful further information on how to petition your council in general can be found online in this guide by Cycling UK.

Standing up for trans rights at your local council

Introduction

Why you should do something

What you can do

Questions:

Motions

Example Questions

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

Example Motions

Motion to protect the rights of trans people in accessing gender based toilets and facilities

Motion to support trans people and provide gender-neutral facilities

Petitions

Further reading: