Gender Identity Research & Education Society
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 exists to support organisations, trainers, charities and individuals working for trans and gender diverse inclusion by making research and high-quality resources accessible, affordable, and effective. We exist to strengthen existing support services to ensure trans-inclusion is included in all areas and at all stages of life.
We also deliver training, e-learning, and information to public and private sector organisations, including support for the trans and gender diverse community and the people who support them.
Latest Posts
2025-10-29
The NHS is reviewing adult gender services in England, led by Dr David Levy. This Levy Review will shape the future of gender-affirming healthcare for thousands of trans and non-binary adults.
The review is assessing how current NHS gender services are working, whether they meet the existing service specification, and what needs to change. A new draft specification is expected to follow, and there will be an opportunity for public consultation.
The Trans Healthcare Coalition has published a guide: The Levy Review: What is it and why does it matter?
2025-10-15
Thanks to our successful crowdfunder, we’re moving from firefighting to future-building. We’re repositioning GIRES with a new digital infrastructure to create reliable knowledge, practical tools, and lasting impact for trans+ communities and those who support them.
This transformation will position GIRES as the leading evidence-based knowledge hub on trans+ lives in the UK, connecting research, education and practical resources to create lasting, measurable improvements in inclusion, care and public understanding of trans+ lives.
Note: When we use the term trans+ (trans plus), it includes transgender, non-binary, gender fluid, and all other forms of gender diverse identities.
Why this, why now?
The information ecosystem around trans+ lives is fragmented: research is scattered, service directories are dated or hard to navigate, and training quality varies widely. At the same time, there is an urgent need for long-term, system-level change, requiring multi-year investment.
In response, we’re repositioning GIRES to serve as a national knowledge and resource platform for both trans+ communities and the organisations that work with and support them. This refocus is to be implemented through a modern, user-optimised website, accessible resources, a new research hub, and a nationwide community network portal – delivering reliable knowledge, practical tools, and measurable impact for trans+ communities, professionals, and policymakers.
2025-09-24
The landscape of Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) in England is continually evolving, with new statutory guidance set to become effective from 1 September 2026. This updated framework presents a crucial opportunity for schools to reinforce and deepen their commitment to an inclusive environment for all pupils, especially trans and gender-diverse young people.
At GIRES, we agree with many other organisations that the new guidance lacks clarity and that the needs of trans and gender-diverse children and young people have not been considered.
However, our core objective is to support educators in delivering an inclusive environment and curriculum confidently. While the guidance introduces specific parameters, it does not diminish a school’s fundamental duty to foster a space where every child feels safe, respected, and able to thrive.
The key lies in strategic interpretation, comprehensive planning, and confident communication, all firmly grounded in the spirit of inclusivity and adherence to the law.
2025-09-05
On 1 September 2025, more than 100 partner organisations sent a joint statement to MPs across the UK. The letter calls for proper Parliamentary scrutiny of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) forthcoming Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations.
Why this matters
If Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities, does not schedule a debate in Parliament, the new Code — effectively a bathroom ban — will come into force automatically. This would happen without MPs ever having the chance to debate or vote on it.
This automatic process is set out in Section 14(8) of the Equality Act, which gives a 40-day period for the Code to be challenged. If no debate is scheduled in that time, the Code simply takes effect. This is highly significant, as it could bring the biggest changes to equality law since the 2010 Equality Act itself.
2025-07-01
The EHRC launched a consultation to gather the views of individuals, legal professionals and organisations on the proposed updates to the Code of Practice, following the Supreme Court’s judgement on For Women Scotland vs. The Scottish Ministers. The EHRC have stated that they will consider every response.
GIRES Submission to the EHRC Consultation
Information about the Consultation
The EHRC’s Code of Practice is primary guidance for employers, sporting bodies, schools, services open to the public (e.g. hospitals, restaurants, shops, refuges, pubs) and other groups to interpret their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
We agree with Liberty, Liberty launches legal action against EHRC over ‘unlawful’ Code of practice consultation, other trans organisations and 33 labour MPs who have written to Baroness Falkner, that the 6-week consultation period fell far too short for a measured response. The High Court ruling in the case of Clifford vs. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions ruled that any consultation focused on a vulnerable group should be 12 weeks long. The ruling stated that the, DWP consultation on disability benefits that was 8 weeks, did not provide “adequate time to consider, take advice upon and respond to the proposals’.
2025-05-09
Since the recent Supreme Court decision on For Women Scotland vs. The Scottish Ministers and the publication of interim guidance by the EHCR, a number of organisations have changed their policies towards transgender people. Very frequently such policy changes have targeted transgender women specifically.
To date this has included the British Transport Police who have decided that transgender women will now be strip-searched by officers who are cis men and vice versa (it is unclear how officers will confirm if someone is transgender, even if they protest otherwise). The FA have also banned transgender women from participating in its leagues (despite having previously operated a case-based policy requiring prospective players to undergo an assessment and there being some 30-odd among a pool of millions).
2025-04-02
GIRES has always valued itself on our unique service, training delivery and has some recently revised ideas. These include core training sessions designed to empower teams with practical knowledge and insights:
Introduction to Trans & Gender Diversity
Lunchtime Talks (1 hour) — These sessions are ideal for all staff, providing an introduction to trans and gender diversity that addresses key topics such as terminology, misconceptions, the importance of pronouns, and how to be a good ally.
Trans & Gender Diversity Management Training: 1/2 day or full day
Tailored for managers, HR, and senior leadership, these sessions dive deeper into best practices for supporting trans and gender-diverse staff, covering areas such as recruitment, communication, leadership, and compliance with UK law.
Both sessions include powerful video stories from people with lived experience, and participants receive helpful handouts summarising the content.
Contact Camilla Thrush for more details.
Celebrating Infinitely Diverse Gender Expressions
A few of GIRES’ friends, colleagues, and supporters.
