Sex Matters Podcast

EHRC guidance finally here!

This week, Maya, Helen and Fiona give their initial take on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s long-awaited update to the Code of practice for services, public functions and associations, which has been published by the Minister for Women and Equalities and laid before Parliament. Read the code of practice. [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0de69fe0994f7c13d7b411/EHRC_Code_of_Practice_for_services__public_functions_and_associations__2_.pdf] Read our first analysis of the code [https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/what-is-in-the-new-guidance/]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org [https://www.sex-matters-news.org?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The state of free speech on campus

In this week’s episode, Maya and Helen discuss the recent legal judgments that highlight the importance of strong protections for free speech and academic freedom to people who hold gender-critical views. As Maya wrote last week inTimes Higher Education [https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/ofs-should-appeal-against-flawed-sussex-free-speech-ruling], at the heart of the High Court judgment in the judicial review brought by the University of Sussex is an Equality Act-shaped hole. The Office for Students’ investigation into its failure to protect academic freedom and free speech on campus had been sparked by thehounding of Professor Kathleen Stock [https://sex-matters.org/posts/publications/what-happened-at-sussex-university/], who had been accused of hate by activists for speaking up about misrepresentations of the Equality Act. The High Court overturned the regulator’s £585,000 fine punishing Sussex for infringing on academic freedom and freedom of speech by adopting a policy in 2018 banning so-called transphobic propaganda from its campus and pledging to discipline those committing “transphobic abuse”. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org [https://www.sex-matters-news.org?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Are City employers breaking the law on single-sex toilets?

In this week’s episode, Maya and Helen discuss our latest report, Sex-based rights in the City, which uncovered the widespread failure of the financial sector to comply with the Supreme Court ruling. Not one of 15 financial institutions contacted replied clearly stating that it provided single-sex toilets, as required by workplace regulations, and restricted access to people of that (biological) sex. Maya and Helen discuss how we got here, the experiences of those working in the sector and what can be done to bring employers into compliance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org [https://www.sex-matters-news.org?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Meet the Sex Matters help desk

In this week’s episode, Fiona talks to Emma Moore, who manages our help desk. They discuss common themes, the advice provided to those seeking support, and the resources available on our website. Explore Sex Matters’ resources [https://sex-matters.org/practical-help/what-you-can-do/]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org [https://www.sex-matters-news.org?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Putting sex on digital ID

In this week’s episode, Maya and Helen discuss the new national digital ID (BritCard), which the government has committed to creating by the end of this parliament. But the government does not plan to include sex on the BritCard, saying that this “is not necessary for the intended purpose of the digital ID”. Maya and Helen explore why failing to include sex as a voluntary field on the BritCard is a cop-out that will leave individuals and service providers floundering and mired in conflict, instead of being able to simply and clearly verify a fact about people which is often needed. Take action: A government consultation is open until Tuesday 5th May. Read our briefing [https://sex-matters.org/posts/publications/putting-sex-on-digital-id-a-briefing/] and respond to the consultation [https://sex-matters.org/take-action/respond-to-the-consultation-on-digital-id/]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org [https://www.sex-matters-news.org?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]