Islington Council has pledged to offer advice and support to trans-friendly organisations navigating new guidance on single-sex spaces. Councillor Saiqa Pandor, Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships, stated that the council would provide advice and support to organisations navigating these guidelines and is committed to ensuring trans people are not excluded from essential services and public spaces.
The commitment came during a council meeting on Thursday, July 2, 2026, where Councillor Alex Nettle raised concerns about the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) clarification on trans people's access to single-sex spaces. Councillor Nettle highlighted that the EHRC's clarification ruled that trans people will have to use services and spaces based on their gender assigned at birth.
He further elaborated that The outcome is a set of guidelines that means trans people will either be pushed into using third spaces, be placed at much higher risk of being outed by using spaces that do not match their gender, and of being subject to perception-based gender assessments by organisations managing services and spaces.
Councillor Pandor assured councillors that the council would provide necessary advice and support to organisations grappling with these new guidelines. The council's stance reaffirms its dedication to inclusivity and its ongoing efforts to foster good relations between all community members.
More details on the council meeting can be found in the Public reports pack.
