GIRES is a UK wide organisation whose purpose is to improve the lives of trans and gender diverse people of all ages, including those who are non-binary and non-gender.
GIRES is a professionally managed membership charity supported by volunteers that, in collaboration with other groups in its field, hears, helps, empowers and gives a voice to trans and gender diverse individuals, including those who are non-binary and non-gender, as well as their families.
We use evidence from individuals’ lived experiences, combined with scientific research into gender identity development, to educate all those who are able to improve trans and gender diverse individuals’ wellbeing. We contribute to policy development regarding equality and human rights for individuals, especially in healthcare.
We also deliver training, e-learning and information to public and private sector organisations, including supporting trans and gender diverse employees or students.
Information GIRES Services Information and GIRES Support Information.
News
Trans in the City 2023 Awards
14th November 2023
GIRES was proud to join other finalists at the Trans in the City (TicC) awards last night. Ash Hayhurst will be interviewed this evening as part of the ongoing celebration by TitC of all the great work that Trans and Non-Binary Charities are doing.
Shaan Knan Visits Trans Archives Canada
October 2023
A fantastic week at the UViC Transgender Archives’ Shaan Knan reports back from his community fellowship in Canada at TransArchives
Shaan Knan Visit to Canada (193 KB)
BCT Sign the Open Letter
20th July 2023
Join us in calling on PM Rishi Sunak to publish the Bill to ban conversion therapy without further delay.
https://www.banconversiontherapy.com/
Equality and Human Rights Commission letter to Minister for Women and Equalities
Updated 23rd May 2023
The EHRC intends to provide considered advice on the benefits or otherwise of an amendment to the Equality Act 2010 (EqA) on the current definition of ‘sex’, along with any connected or consequential enactments, bearing in mind the advantages and disadvantages that such a change might entail for affected groups. It seems already to have decided that if ‘sex’ is defined as biological sex for the purposes of EqA, this would bring greater legal clarity. The EHRC’s frequent mention of trans people indicates that this group is the target.
Relying on biology to define sex is problematic. It is not binary. It would also be impractical to require that it can only be defined at birth. It is not immutable. If sex is to be defined then so would gender.
GIRES will work, in collaboration with the other organisations that support trans and other gender diverse people, to participate in the public consultations regarding any proposed changes to the law and convey its views to policy makers.
EHRC letter to MFWE Definition of Sex in EqA 20230403 (225Kb)
Gires proudly announces the online launch of the short documentary VOICES, telling the story of the Gender Identity Research and Education Society.
2nd March 2023
Please watch GIRES Voices Film, share this page and leave us a kind comment!
@GIRESLoK #ALegacyOfKindness
NHS England: Interim service specification for specialist gender dysphoria services for CYP
5th December 2022
NHS England commissions specialised services for people with gender dysphoria, and has held a public consultation to seek views on a proposed interim service specification for services for children and young people with gender dysphoria. Once agreed, this interim service specification will be operational for a limited time only until a new service specification is formed in 2023/24 that will be used by a new configuration of regional providers.
NHS England Interim Service Specification:
GIRES submission to the public consultation:
GIRES submisson for Interim Service Specification for Specialist Gender Dysphoria Services CP 202212 (422Kb)
NHS England Consultation: Proposed changes for England’s Youth Gender Services
NHS England has launched a consultation running from 20 October to 4 December on how the future gender services should run in the new clinics opening in Spring 2023.
GIRES along with other partners has significant concerns about these proposals, which will likely add more barriers to accessing care. They suggest that young people should be prevented from exploring social transition (e.g changing name or pronouns) unless diagnosed with “clinically significant distress”, and that young people seeking gender-affirming treatment outside of the NHS (e.g. private clinics) could be seen as at risk or a safeguarding concern.
What is the consultation about?
Last week, NHS England released proposed guidelines for trans and gender diverse young people who require gender health services. Known as a “service specification”, it is essentially a guidance manual on how gender services are expected to run.
The guidelines are “interim” which means that they will only be used for a limited time until a new, more permanent “service specification” is formed after The Cass Review concludes.
NHS England is running a consultation on these interim guidelines meaning the public and relevant organisations, like GIRES, can provide feedback about what they like, and what they think needs to change.
Guidance for completing the consultation
LGBT Foundation are launching the advertisement of three consultation response sessions for community members and allies to respond the consultation in a supportive space where they can ask questions to staff on-hand. The sessions are on the 27th (trans/nb only), 28th Nov & 2nd Dec (last two open to all) and are accessible in-person or online (via Zoom). Book your space
World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Releases the Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8
20th September 2022
East Dundee, Illinois – Following five-years of rigorous scientific effort by more than 120 health care clinical and academic professionals across the globe, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has released the Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 (SOC8). Building upon the Standards of Care Version 7, which were released in 2012, the SOC8 provides clinical guidance for health care professionals to assist transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people with safe and effective pathways to achieve lasting personal comfort with their gendered selves, and to maximize their overall health, psychological well-being, and self-fulfillment. This assistance may include primary care, hormonal or surgical treatments, gynecologic and urologic care, reproductive options, voice and communication therapy, and mental health services (e.g., counseling, psychotherapy), among others.
Celebrating Infinitely Diverse Gender Expressions
A few of GIRES’ friends colleagues and supporters.
