The Students’ Union at UWE Presidents Team and Trans Welfare Officer.
Thank you to all students and staff who have engaged with us so far in navigating the challenges of the Supreme Court Ruling (April 2025). The ruling has brought anxiety and uncertainty to many students and staff with the possibility that their experiences at UWE Bristol might change.
We (your student leaders) want to reassure our students that your Students’ Union has been working hard from the day of the ruling to ensure we are actively involved in university decision making and advocating for the inclusion and safety of our communities.
We are working closely with university leaders to ensure this ruling does not diminish the vibrancy and sense of belonging that all our students, staff and visitors feel on any of our campuses, and that defines UWE Bristol.
In response to a letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the University has revised its policy for trans students and staff to ensure legal compliance. You can read the updated policy here. The Students’ Union has been part of this review and we acknowledge that these revisions may feel at odds with the dignity and respect our trans+ students and staff deserve and with the inclusive culture UWE Bristol and its Students’ Union has long fought to uphold. We want to reassure our community that our commitment to trans rights remains steadfast, even within these new legal constraints.
The Students’ Union has played an active role in advocating for our trans+ students and actively shaping this policy. We reviewed the draft, suggested more inclusive language, and proposed a clearer structure to ensure the policy communicates a strong message of safety and support.
As a result of our input, the University has included a clear statement that:
No action will be taken to ‘police’ access to facilities.
Harassment will not be tolerated.
Changes in Sport
The Students’ Union at UWEs Sports Clubs are affiliated to their relevant National Governing Body (NGB). Where the NGB for the sport has a policy on gender eligibility, this has to be followed by our Sports Clubs. If the relevant National Governing Body does not have a policy, the relevant International Federation policy or position as communicated on gender eligibility shall be followed. For Sports Clubs taking part in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Competitions, the relevant NGB guidance can be found here
https://www.bucs.org.uk/rules-and-regulations/gender-eligibility.html
Equality Impact Assessment
We encourage you to share your thoughts on how this policy is applied in practice by responding to the Equality Impact Assessment, your feedback will help shape how the policy is implemented.
Link to EIA: https://www.uwe.ac.uk/about/values-vision-strategy/equality-diversity-and-inclusivity/governance-an…
Link to feedback form: https://forms.office.com/e/zXirQq0V5q, deadline of 19th October.
The LGBTQIA+ Network will be running three Equality Impact Assessment workshop sessions this week. These sessions are designed to answer questions, help with any technical issues accessing the EIA form, and generally to give people who may be stressed about the changes space to speak about their fears and recognise that they are not alone. These sessions are open to everyone. Whilst this change impacts trans people most of all, there are numerous other people on campus who may wish to respond to this policy change.
Monday 29th September; Online at 2-4pm
Tuesday 30th September; At Frenchay from 2-4pm in room 2S708
Thursday 2nd September; At Bower from 9-11 in room 2B005
What Else Are We Doing to Support an Inclusive University Community?
National Advocacy The Students’ Union President Team have signed the Letter to Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds) and the Minister for Women and Equalities (Bridget Phillipson) on behalf of The Students’ Union at UWE. This letter expresses our organisation’s concerns with the EHRC’s proposed Code of Practice, stating that organisations must adopt practices that are incompatible with modern business values, create unworkable operational challenges, and cause significant economic harm.
Improving Access to Support The Students’ Union have requested assurance from the University on where students can effectively access trans inclusive and supportive guidance (i.e name change information) with ease to navigate their student life. You can view this webpage here.
Gender-Neutral Facilities The Students’ Union is also actively working with UWE Bristol on their provision of signage to gender-neutral facilities so students can know where they are located across the campus sites. We are requesting, and will work with our student community on, additional mapping of areas with limited or no gender-neutral facilities and a clear timebound improvement plan to be published.
Our Commitment to You
We want every trans student to know: you are seen, you are welcome, and you belong here.
The Supreme Court ruling reaffirmed that all protected characteristics under the Equality Act are equal. At UWE Bristol, the protection against discrimination based on gender reassignment remains firmly in place—alongside protections for sex, sexual orientation, religion, and belief.
Both the University and The Students’ Union remain committed to our values. We will continue to work with our student feedback as the new term begins, and students return onto campus.
If any trans+ students feel they need support in response to the EHRC guidance or UWE policy updates, please contact your Trans Welfare Officer at Harper2.leigh@live.uwe.ac.uk.