“Getting to know us...” The LGBT Excellence Centre Wales is a social enterprise and a charity that supports Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people and promotes equality, diversity and human rights through gathering and sharing information and good practice. We provide: Advice Mediation Advocacy
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In the following areas: Benefits ● Bullying ● Civil Partnerships Coming Out ● Discrimination ● Domestic Violence ● Employment ● Funding ● Gender Identity ● Hate Crime ● Health ● Homelessness ● Housing Immigration ● Legal Matters ● Relationships Sexuality ● Sexual Orientation ●Social Care ● Volunteering
Support Information and Advice LGBT Excellence Centre Provides an all-Wales helpline for sexual orientation and gender identity issues and provides legal representation for people that have experienced discrimination (www.ecwales.org.uk) 0800 023 2201 Unique UNIQUE is a voluntary organisation supporting transgendered people in North Wales and West Cheshire. (www.uniquetg.org.uk) Depend An organisation offering free, non-judgemental advice, information and support to all family members, spouses, partners and friends of transsexual people in the UK. (www.depend.org.uk) Beaumont Society An established transgendered support group with a support network in the UK (www.beaumontsociety.org.uk) Gender Trust Supporting all those affected by gender identity issues (www.gendertrust.org.uk)
Government Support Equality and Human Rights Commission Independent statutory body established to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and build good relations and to ensure that (www.equalityhumanrights.c om) 0845 604 8810 Ombudsman Services Resolving consumer disputes (www.tosl.org.uk) Guidance GIRES A wealth of information for trans people, their families and the professionals who care for them (www.gires.org.uk) Press for Change can advise on all gender identity matters (www.pfc.org.uk) Counselling Services LGBT Excellence Centre 0800 023 2201
Gender Identity, Goods, Services & Facilities
Photography © LGBT Excellence Centre and Juliana Kammerlander
This leaflet is part of a series on gender identity produced by the LGBT Excellence Centre Wales with funding from Awards for All.
LGBT Excellence Centre Suite 1 & 2 376, Newport Road Cardiff CF23 9AE Freephone: 0800 023 2201 Web: www.ecwales.org.uk Email: info@ecwales.org.uk
LGBT Excellence Centre Unleashing Wales’ Potential Empowering communities to flourish I n par tne rs hip w ith
I stopped using a swimming pool because the changing areas did not have cubicles which denied me the privacy I needed. This is not an issue only for transgender people but a matter of dignity and respect for everyone’s privacy. Alex
The Law The Single Equality Act 2010 makes it clear that it is unlawful to discriminate on grounds of gender and gender reassignment. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 enables transsexual people to apply for 'gender recognition' and those born in the UK can obtain a new birth certificate. Gender recognition will mean that transsexual people must be treated fully as of their new sex for all legal purposes.
Trans-Forming Goods, Services and Facilities “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. All human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible and interrelated. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral to every person‟s dignity and humanity and must not be the basis for discrimination or abuse.” The Yogyakarta Principles
The Issues Not going out in preferred gender due to fear for their safety and discrimination
Being turned away from certain facilities such as swimming pools
If facing prison a trans person fears being sent to the ‘wrong’ prison.
Some trans people do not report discriminatory behavior due to fears of more discrimination. However, organisations
cannot change unless they know what is happening.
A true experience Some of the problems trans people experience (apart from any discriminatory abuse) is for instance, which facilities do you use at the local swimming pool or gym? I must at this point mention the help given me by the members of staff of my local leisure centre. They
have, without exception, all been entirely supportive of my transition, giving me help, advice, moral support and encouragement. Between us, we have overcome such problems as that of using „wrong sex‟ changing rooms, toilets and showers. During the past two years there have been no complaints regarding me from the general public. I do, however, tend to take extra precaution (such as using a separate cubicle rather than the open
changing room), particularly when young girls are present - to avoid any wild and silly accusations of paedophilia or other perverted actions. The staff have, undoubtedly been a significant part in building my self-confidence and selfesteem at a time when I was feeling very low and awkward. To them, I say a heartfelt „thank you‟. Erika
Suggested Reading Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know Guides for: service provision and businesses who sell goods and services (www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010/ equality_act_2010_what_do_i_n.aspx) Sex Discrimination as a consumer: you rights (www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/ your-rights/gender/sex-discrimination-as-a-consumer/sex -discrimination-as-a-consumer-your-rights) Engendered Penalties: Transgender and Transsexual People’s Experiences of Inequality and Discrimination The Equalities Review (www.pfc.org.uk/ files/EngenderedPenalties.pdf) Trans Research Review (www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/ trans_research_review_rep27.pdf)
Some good practice: A Gender Reassignment Certificate is not necessary in order to change a trans person’s details. When a trans person requires a change of details, all institutions should change their documentation as soon as possible. Religious beliefs cannot be used to justify discriminatory behavior. All management should be made aware of the Single Equality Act 2010. All HR departments should regularly remind staff that discriminatory comments are illegal. Organisations offering facilities such as changing rooms or toilets must be aware it is illegal to prevent a trans person using the facilities when presenting in their chosen gender. Other customers preference is not a valid legal argument to prevent trans people from accessing services or facilities.