This branch notes:
1. The University of Reading’s announcement on 11 June 2025 regarding changes to its campus facilities policies, following the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling on the interpretation of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010.
2. That the University has withdrawn its previous policy allowing staff and students to use facilities matching their gender identity, mandating instead that single-sex spaces be used according to “biological sex.”
3. The University’s stated intention to redesignate facilities and update signage without having completed meaningful consultation with the University community, and ahead of final guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
4. That the UCU’s national guidance on the Supreme Court ruling stresses that this ruling does not remove or diminish protections for trans people under the Equality Act 2010, and calls on institutions to avoid rushed or exclusionary policy changes prior to the release of full EHRC guidance.
5. That these changes risk causing distress, exclusion, and harm to intersex, trans and non-binary students and staff, and contravene the University’s responsibilities under the Equality Act, particularly regarding protections against harassment and indirect discrimination related to gender reassignment.
This branch believes:
1. The university has not recognised intersex people in either of their statements, and non-binary people were not mentioned in the initial statement at all.
2. That intersex, trans and non-binary members of the University community deserve dignity, respect, and the freedom to safely access facilities that align with their gender identity.
3. That the University’s premature policy change creates an unsafe and exclusionary environment for trans and non-binary people, undermining the University’s stated commitments to inclusion and belonging.
This branch resolves to:
1. Publicly oppose the University’s exclusionary facilities policy change and issue a public statement affirming support for the rights of trans and non-binary staff and students to access facilities in accordance with their gender identity.
2. Urge the University to ensure that RUCU are consulted on any changes to policy and to the working conditions of staff, so as to preserve the dignity and inclusion of all staff
3. Call on the University to immediately pause implementation of the policy change and make no decision on re-implementation until all of the below has occurred and findings from the consultation with staff are included in any final implementation:
o The final EHRC Code of Practice is published.
o A full, transparent equality impact assessment is carried out.
o Meaningful consultation takes place with trans, non-binary and intersex people, relevant staff and student networks, and recognised campus trade unions.
4. Lobby for the University to reinstate the previous policy allowing trans, non-binary and intersex people to access facilities that align with their gender identity, in line with the University’s equality, diversity and inclusion commitments and UCU’s nationally agreed policies.
5. Work in coalition with the Students’ Union, LGBTQIA+ Staff Network, and other campus groups to advocate for inclusive, non-discriminatory practice in all areas of University policy.
6. Provide support to members affected by this policy change, including through grievance processes, informal advocacy, and signposting to appropriate resources.
7. Report this matter to UCU South Regional Office and UCU’s national Equality Committee for further action and support.