Navigating the new single-sex spaces guidance

Timothy Mathias Strategic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ukactive

Many of you will have heard or read about the recent updates to equality law, but understanding what they mean for the health and fitness sector can be complex and nuanced. That’s why ukactive has made extensive guidance and tailored support available, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be physically active.

On 5 August, a new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Code of Practice came into force, which stipulated that single-sex services should be operated and accessed on the basis of biological sex. Given the prevalence of changing rooms, toilets, activity classes, programmes and workout spaces within fitness and leisure facilities, these updates impact our sector more than most.

For the purposes of privacy and dignity as well as efficiency in some cases, spaces often need to be segregated according to sex. The Code of Practice provides clarity to operators of gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools and other activity spaces on how these single-sex spaces should be managed to ensure the services we proudly deliver are up to date, lawful and fair.

For the purposes of privacy and dignity as well as efficiency in some cases, spaces often need to be segregated according to sex

So, what do we need to do? Despite the clarity in definition, we appreciate fitness and leisure facilities face unique challenges when implementing the new Code of Practice – particularly around: ● What constitutes a single-sex or segregated space? ● How can we ensure all users are welcomed and participation encouraged? ● Are we expected to police facilities and check people’s birth sex? ● What does a good access policy look like?

ukactive’s new guidance, Single-sex Services and Provision and Transgender Access: A Guide for the Physical Activity Sector, is designed to support operators with developing and implementing policies that are appropriate to their specific organisations, services and legal obligations

The guidance was developed with a group of industry leaders and legal counsel, and includes background information on the context behind the updates, FAQs and sector-specific examples.

On top of this, we’re offering bespoke support to any organisation looking to negotiate the updates and ensure that their facilities are safe, welcoming and comfortable for all.

You can access the guidance at: [https://ukactive.com/resources/single-sex-services-and-provision-and-transgender-access-a-guide-for-the-physical-activity-sector/](https://ukactive.com/resources/single-sex-services-and-provision-and-transgender-access-a-guide-for-the-physical-activity-sector)

If you’d like further support, get in touch by emailing: [info@ukactive.org.uk](mailto:info@ukactive.org.uk)