M&S trans policy for changing rooms ‘puts women at risk’
MARKS & SPENCER’S practice of allowing men who identify as women to use female changing rooms is at odds with the law and could encourage voyeurism, the high street giant has been told.
It follows a statement from Equalities Minister Liz Truss that the Government is rejecting ‘trans-inclusive’ policies some say threaten women’s rights.
M&S has faced protests for opening its female changing rooms to anyone who describes themselves as a woman.
Feminist campaigners say shops and other organisations have been misled by trans rights activists who claim that equality laws mean they must accept male-born ‘self-identifying’ women as female or face allegations of discrimination.
The retailer has defended its approach, insisting ‘as an inclusive retailer and in line with most other retailers, we allow customers the choice of fitting room in respect of how they identify themselves’. The erosion of single-sex services in the name of trans rights is understood to be of growing concern to Ministers and Tory
MPs. Ms Truss has now made clear that shops and service providers are legally entitled to deny male-born people access to female spaces and plans to issue new guidance. In a letter published by her office, she said: ‘I will ensure that Government guidance gives a clear message to service providers, schools and others, putting their ability to provide singlesex spaces beyond doubt.’
The letter was cited by Baroness Emma Nicholson, a Lib Dem peer who campaigns for singlesex spaces, in a dossier that she sent to M&S warning its stance is potentially harmful.
In a letter to M&S chairman Archie Norman, she said M&S had ‘misunderstood’ the law on equality and single-sex spaces.
Referring to Ms Truss’s statements, she told Mr Norman: ‘You may wish to follow the Government’s line and resume single-sex spaces for the changing rooms in your stores.’
She added: ‘Since changing of clothes can lead to voyeurism, newer legislation (the upskirting law) calls this laxness of provision into question.’
M&S said it had assured Baroness Nicholson its fitting rooms ‘provide secure and private spaces’ with individual lockable cubicles, adding: ‘We recognise customers will selfidentify and respect their right to choose the fitting rooms they feel comfortable in.’
NHS rules allowing maleborn trans women to use female wards are set to be rewritten.
The guidance was introduced last year south of the Border.
Tory Health Minister Lord Jim Bethell said: ‘Providers of NHS-funded care are expected to have a zero-tolerance approach to mixed-sex accommodation, except where it is in the overall best interest of all patients affected.’
‘Resume single-sex spaces in your stores’