GIRES Statement on the Exclusion of Trans People from Girlguiding and the Women’s Institute

GIRES is deeply concerned by the recent decisions of Girlguiding UK and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI) to introduce policies that exclude trans women and girls from their communities. These changes bring significant harm to people who already face high levels of discrimination, social isolation and unequal access to safe spaces.

For many years, both Girlguiding and the Women’s Institute included trans members as part of their commitment to equality and participation. There has been no evidence that these inclusive approaches created safeguarding risks or undermined the safety of women and girls. Instead, they provided opportunities for friendship, learning and belonging for people of all backgrounds.

The decisions announced this week have been framed as a response to legal obligations following the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the meaning of sex in law. It is important to state clearly that the Supreme Court ruling did not require organisations to exclude trans people from single sex associations. Several expert legal analyses, including work by the Good Law Project, underline that trans inclusion remains lawful under the Equality Act when approached with care and clarity. Many charities and membership groups continue to include trans people without legal difficulty.

We recognise that organisations are operating in a climate of heightened uncertainty and political pressure. However, policies that remove trans people from community groups do not improve safety and do not reflect the available evidence. Research consistently shows that exclusion increases vulnerability, reduces wellbeing and creates barriers to participation in everyday life. The impact on individual trans women and girls, including those who have been long-standing members of these organisations, will be profound.

At a time when public debate often centres trans+ people without including their voices, it is essential to return to evidence and lived experience. Trans women and trans girls are human beings, and they deserve the same opportunities for connection, personal development and community involvement as their peers.

GIRES calls on all organisations to take an informed, proportionate and rights-based approach to inclusion. We stand ready to support any group that wishes to review its policies in line with research, best practice and the lived experiences of trans people.

Our concern is for the individuals who will feel the consequences of these decisions most acutely. Community spaces should bring people together. Excluding trans members does the opposite and risks setting a precedent that narrows public life for everyone.

GIRES remains committed to providing trusted information, accessible training and evidence-based guidance for educators, employers, service providers and policymakers. We will continue to advocate for approaches that uphold dignity, equality and human rights for all trans and gender diverse people.