Reply from Pippa Heylings
Jun. 1st, 2026 02:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lnrThank you for getting in touch to share your concerns about the revised EHRC Code of Practice which was laid before Parliament on 21st May.
As a Liberal Democrat, I am committed to respecting and defending the rights of everyone - including all LGBTQ+ people - and rejecting all forms of discrimination, wherever they happen.
I am deeply concerned that so many trans, non-binary and intersex people in our country were left feeling worried, fearful or uncertain after the supreme court ruling, and questioning whether they would be able to enjoy the same rights as their peers. The EHRC interim guidance that was published soon after the Supreme Court ruling did not in any way counter the anxiety, confusion and disruption surrounding how the ruling will be interpreted, and how it will work in practice. At this time I wrote to the Minister for Women and Equalities to convey these concerns and to press the government to show more leadership, provide more clarity and to ensure everyone’s rights are protected, including ensuring that the transgender community feels safe and do not face any discrimination.
It was essential that the new guidance issued by the EHRC gave individuals and organisations guidance that worked in practice and ensured that everyone was protected from harassment and discrimination. I do not think that the new Code of Practice meets this demand.
I completely understand the concerns of the transgender community who feel that they will be shut out of vital services, and unable to go about their daily lives and , worse still, will be at risk of harassment and victimisation. And many of my constituents also fear the risk of “gender policing”, where women can be challenged simply for not looking “feminine” enough. Businesses, societies and organisations are left worried about the costs of complying with the guidance and the legal challenges they may face.
I am pleased that Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Women and Equalities Marie Goldman MP have written to the Minister for Women and Equalities to convey these concerns, to urge that the guidance is withdrawn and that a cross-party committee of MPs be established to conduct a post-legislative scrutiny of both the Gender recognition and the Equality Act 2010, taking advice from all of those who have been impacted in order to propose new legislation or new guidance to ensure that existing rights are upheld and protected. Like them, I am committed to both women’s rights and transgender rights, do not agree that the two of these are in conflict and will continue to campaign for legislation and policy that upholds these rights and prevents discrimination in all of its forms.
Many thanks again for writing to me to share your concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Pippa
Pippa Heylings
Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire
As a Liberal Democrat, I am committed to respecting and defending the rights of everyone - including all LGBTQ+ people - and rejecting all forms of discrimination, wherever they happen.
I am deeply concerned that so many trans, non-binary and intersex people in our country were left feeling worried, fearful or uncertain after the supreme court ruling, and questioning whether they would be able to enjoy the same rights as their peers. The EHRC interim guidance that was published soon after the Supreme Court ruling did not in any way counter the anxiety, confusion and disruption surrounding how the ruling will be interpreted, and how it will work in practice. At this time I wrote to the Minister for Women and Equalities to convey these concerns and to press the government to show more leadership, provide more clarity and to ensure everyone’s rights are protected, including ensuring that the transgender community feels safe and do not face any discrimination.
It was essential that the new guidance issued by the EHRC gave individuals and organisations guidance that worked in practice and ensured that everyone was protected from harassment and discrimination. I do not think that the new Code of Practice meets this demand.
I completely understand the concerns of the transgender community who feel that they will be shut out of vital services, and unable to go about their daily lives and , worse still, will be at risk of harassment and victimisation. And many of my constituents also fear the risk of “gender policing”, where women can be challenged simply for not looking “feminine” enough. Businesses, societies and organisations are left worried about the costs of complying with the guidance and the legal challenges they may face.
I am pleased that Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Women and Equalities Marie Goldman MP have written to the Minister for Women and Equalities to convey these concerns, to urge that the guidance is withdrawn and that a cross-party committee of MPs be established to conduct a post-legislative scrutiny of both the Gender recognition and the Equality Act 2010, taking advice from all of those who have been impacted in order to propose new legislation or new guidance to ensure that existing rights are upheld and protected. Like them, I am committed to both women’s rights and transgender rights, do not agree that the two of these are in conflict and will continue to campaign for legislation and policy that upholds these rights and prevents discrimination in all of its forms.
Many thanks again for writing to me to share your concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Pippa
Pippa Heylings
Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire
