Quakers have been accused of “destroying” their reputation as pioneers on women’s rights by refusing to provide separate toilets for females.
Quakers in Britain said its toilets would remain “trans inclusive” despite the ruling by the Supreme Court that the word “sex” in the Equality Act refers to biological sex and not gender identity.
It said it was not desirable to monitor who uses its facilities, adding: “We cannot guarantee any shared space as exclusive for one group of people.”
Quakers have gained a reputation for their progressive attitude towards women, having allowed them to preach as early as the 17th century.
But Helen Joyce, the director of advocacy at Sex Matters, a women’s rights group, said they appeared to have abandoned that legacy by adopting “textbook trans activism”.
“Early Quakers were famously supportive of women’s rights – they would surely be shocked and ashamed if they could see the destruction of that proud legacy,” she said.
‘Contested and subject to legal challenge’
Last month’s Supreme Court ruled that transgender women are not legally women, and clarified that the word “sex” in the Equality Act means biological sex and not gender identity.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) then put out interim guidance to organisations, underlining that in places such as hospitals, shops and restaurants, “trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities”.
A growing number of public bodies have changed their guidance in light of the judgment. The Football Association has said trans women could be banned from women’s sport.
But other organisations, including the Houses of Parliament, are awaiting final guidance from the EHRC.
The statement from Quakers in Britain dismissed the EHRC’s interim guidance, which it said “goes beyond the scope and actual statements” in the Supreme Court ruling.
Paul Parker, the recording clerk, said: “This is already contested and subject to legal challenge.”
He said the faith group would “welcome and affirm trans and non-binary people in Quaker spaces”, adding: “We must respect the dignity of each person to live with integrity, informed by the truth of their lived experience”.
‘This is what love requires of us’
Like Stonewall, Mr Parker said the Supreme Court judgement did not have “the force of law”.
“Whilst the EHRC has recently issued guidance, this is currently only interim guidance. It is non-statutory and therefore does not have the force of law,” the document states. “We see the Equality Act itself as our primary legal guide when making decisions.
“It is not possible or desirable to monitor who uses our facilities and therefore cannot guarantee any shared space as exclusive for one group of people. We will not label something as a single-sex space if we cannot truthfully guarantee that it will be single-sex.”
The minutes of the meeting read: “The rights and inclusion of people belonging to our communities and using our buildings are not, and should not be, just about toilets. We will continue to work to make our corner of the commonwealth of heaven on Earth a more welcoming and accessible place. This is what love requires of us.”
Quakers in Britain also pointed out that at its main building, French House in London, all public facilities were “trans inclusive”.
A spokesman said: “Toilets labelled with a ‘female’ sign are intended for cis women, trans women, and non-binary and intersex people for whom this toilet is best aligned with their lived experience.
“Toilets labelled with a ‘male’ sign are intended for cis men, trans men, and non-binary and intersex people for whom this toilet is best aligned with their lived experience.”
‘Upside-down vision of equality’
Ms Joyce said: “British Quakers’ announcement that it will continue to allow trans-identifying men to use female facilities is textbook trans activism. It is also in breach of the law. The organisation would be wise to consult legal expertise without delay.
“It is not ‘inclusive’ to seek a way around labelling toilets and changing rooms as male and female in order to avoid having to monitor whether people comply with common-sense rules that are there to protect everyone. It places the desires of those who seek to transgress boundaries over the needs of the most vulnerable.
“This is an upside-down vision of equality, integrity and truth. By defying the UK’s highest court and removing protections for women and girls, Quakers are courting legal risk and demonstrating a lack of care and responsibility, in the pursuit of a fashionable dogma.”
A spokesman for Quakers in Britain said: “Our facilities are legally compliant. Quakers in Britain welcome and affirm trans and non-binary people in all Quaker spaces. Our values of equality and integrity guide every decision we make.
“No trans, non-binary, or intersex Quaker, staff member, or service user will be asked to disclose or prove aspects of their identity in ways that are not asked of cisgender people. We do not seek to monitor who uses our facilities, nor do we believe it is possible or desirable to do so.
“We have self-contained facilities, which function as single sex spaces, available for all our building users. We are committed to taking robust and proactive steps to ensure that all our spaces remain safe, inclusive, and free from harassment or inappropriate behaviour.”
