Last year, the Supreme Court ruled on definitions of biological sex and single-sex spaces, prompting the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to present a new draft Code of Practice to Parliament. The code is now up for review for 40 days (from 21 May 2026), after which, if there are no objections, a date will be set for it to come into legal force.

In light of this, your Officers have issued the following statement:

On behalf of the Officer Team and Hallam Students' Union, I want to speak directly to you about the recent developments that we know have caused frustration, disappointment, and distress, particularly for our trans and non-binary students.

To be clear, we condemned the Supreme Court's ruling on the Equality Act last year and we continue to oppose the Code of Practice that has recently been published, regarding access to services, public functions, and associations.

We are deeply concerned that the guidance may make it more difficult to create inclusive and supportive learning environments and could have a disproportionate impact on students who already face more barriers than most. We recognise these developments extend beyond legal and policy considerations; they have real and personal implications for members of our community and their sense of safety, inclusion, and belonging.

At Hallam Students' Union, we are committed to supporting our trans and non-binary students and defending your right to live safely, proudly, and visibly within our community. While the guidance has not yet been finalised, we want to reassure you that we are working closely with the University to understand its practical implications and will ensure ongoing consultation and transparent communication.

We are proud of the diversity that shapes our student community and remain dedicated to ensuring that universities are places where people can lawfully express their views and feel safe, respected, and included, free from harassment, intimidation, or exclusion.

If you're feeling unsettled, please know that you are not alone. Whether you are looking for support or would like to get involved in campaigning and advocacy, we are here for you.

We stand in solidarity with our trans and non-binary students and firm in our commitment to supporting trans inclusion and liberation, ensuring that students feel welcome, valued, and able to participate fully in our community and spaces. We will continue to advocate for your rights, uphold your dignity, and work towards a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and included. You are an important part of our community, and we will continue to stand with you.

- Molly Pemberton, Hallam Students' Union President

We're working with the University to carefully review the draft and fully understand what the changes mean for our spaces, services, and student groups going forward. We'll continue to update you as soon as we know more.

In the meantime, if you have something on your mind or just want to talk something through, there's always support available.

• Hallam SU:
  • Societies - If your society has questions or needs support navigating the guidance, get in touch with us.
  • Pride Hub - Find communities, events, and inclusive spaces throughout the city.
  • Hate Crime Reporting Centre - Access free, confidential support via SU Advice if you've witnessed or been the victim of a hate crime or incident or need assistance reporting one.
• Report and Support - Report sexual violence, harassment, abuse, or hate crime anonymously, or get confidential support from a specialist adviser who can guide you through your options.
• Student Wellbeing - Access University wellbeing support, resources, and one-to-one guidance.
• Hallam Help - Get advice, information, and signposting for any issue, big or small.
• Mermaids - Specialist support for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse young people.
• National LGBTQIA+ Switchboard - A national helpline offering confidential LGBTQIA+ support.
• MindOut - Mental health services run by and for LGBTQIA+ people.
• Galop - Dedicated support for LGBTQ+ people experiencing abuse, violence, or hate crime.
• Samaritans - 24/7 helpline for anyone struggling to cope. Call 116 123.