A CROWD of people took to the city centre to protest against proposed guidance that they say will put transgender people at greater risk of discrimination.
Members of Worcester City Pride and other LGBTQ+ groups gathered outside Worcester Guildhall on the High Street on Saturday (June 14), over concerns about draft guidance which would mean that single-sex spaces should be used on the basis of biological sex.
It follows a ruling by the Supreme Court in April 2025 that biological sex should define the terms ‘sex’, ‘man’ and ‘woman’.
The draft updates to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s code of practice would apply to service providers and public bodies.
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It was laid before Parliament on May 21, with 40 days for it to be considered.
Campaigners in Worcester proudly displayed the transgender flag and held signs, including one which said: “We have always existed. We always will.”
CONCERNS: Melissa Poulton said she feared that transgender people are being “targeted” (Image: NQ)
Melissa Poulton, a campaigner who was involved in organising the event, told Worcester News that transgender people were being “targeted”.
“It’s so important to get the message out that we are being targeted,” she said.
“The guidance is telling businesses, for example, that trans people are not welcome.
“It’s segregation in the name of protecting women and girls.”
SUPPORT: Green councillor Alex Mace was there to support the protest (Image: NQ)
Alex Mace, a Green councillor representing St Stephen on Worcester City Council, was also in attendance and said the guidance was “dangerous” for women.
“I thought it was important to come down and support the protest because the guidance that has been put out is going to make it more dangerous for women in general, not just trans women,” he said.
“The real problem in our society is violence by men and I don’t see the government doing enough to address that. They’re too busy trying to keep trans people out of bathrooms.
“It’s something that people are very concerned about. People are very keen to see politicians supporting it because we need active voices pushing for rights for trans people because trans rights are human rights.”
