For years trans people have been accessing spaces and services that align with our genders. We simply want to go about our daily lives, be able to go to work and participate in our communities. But the new EHRC Code of Practice has left many of us confused, scared and unsure what spaces and services we can still use. While much of the conversation has revolved around toilets, it also includes other services/spaces such as hospital wards, support services for people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence, prisons and more. For trans people, accessing the spaces and services that align with our genders is a matter of not only dignity but safety.
TransActual’s Trans Segregation in Practice Report (2025) found that even before the code was finalised, many people reported being excluded and bullied out of workplaces, being forced to choose between their mental health and dignity or their livelihood, being suddenly excluded from social spaces and clubs which have been safe previously, and avoiding going out. Being denied access to spaces that align with our genders has a profound effect on our mental health, social lives, safety, and financial and housing security.
Trans people are increasingly being forced into so-called ‘third spaces’. This does not provide a dignified or safe solution. As well as there being a lack of ‘third spaces’ such as unisex toilets, using these spaces can put trans people in danger. Being made to use ‘third-spaces’ could forcibly ‘out’ a trans person and cause difficulties with insensitive employers or make them unsafe in trans hostile environments. Trans people have the right to privacy and we should be able to choose if and when to share our transness. Accessing spaces that align with our genders allows us the autonomy to make decisions around our own safety.
Though many of us are all too aware of these realities, right now there is very little formalised data on the effects this is having. TransActual has launched The Trans Lives Survey 2026, our biggest survey yet on the experiences of trans people living in the UK. The findings will be vital in helping us advocate on behalf of our community’s needs and change policy and practice in the UK.
Respond to our Trans Lives Survey, and share on your social media so we can get a full picture of the experiences and views of Trans people in the UK.
For more information on what your rights are check out our Know Your Rights resource:
Or for workplace rights check out out our Your Rights in the Workplace resource: