// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
New guidance on single-sex spaces comes into force
EHRC code covers spaces open to the public in England, Wales and Scotland
Single-sex spaces open to the public, such as toilets and changing rooms, should be organised based on biological sex, according to official guidance that has come into force.
The code, published by Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), says trans people should use either gender-neutral facilities or the ones that match their biological sex, in places such as gym changing rooms or rape crisis centres.
The guidance was published in June but is now in place in England, Wales and Scotland - despite opposition among some MPs.
It comes 16 months after the UK Supreme Court ruled "sex" in equality law means "biological sex" rather than the gender someone identifies as.
Trans-rights campaigners have called the guidance unworkable, but groups that campaign for sex-based rights welcome the clarity it brings.
The guidance from the EHRC, the equality watchdog for England, Scotland and Wales, provides practical advice for services, public bodies and associations on how they should interpret the 2010 Equality Act
It applies to organisations as diverse as cafes, leisure centres, public toilets, domestic violence shelters, bowls clubs and many more.
The code says where it is proportionate for facilities, such as public toilets and changing rooms, or services like a rape crisis centre, to be single sex then only those of the same biological sex should use them.
This means, for instance, a transwoman, a person born a biological male who identifies as a woman, should not use women-only facilities. And a trans man should not use men only facilities.