TGEU, ILGA-Europe, IGLYO, OII Europe, EL*C, Rainbow Cities Network, the European Pride Business Network and the European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups are deeply alarmed by the draft Code of Practice under the UK’s Equality Act 2010 that was placed before Parliament on 21 May 2026.
This draft Code, which is likely to be finalised in its current form under the parliamentary procedure envisaged for its adoption, will result in service providers excluding trans people from using services according to their gender identity. For associations, a narrow concept under the UK's Equality Act, some routes to inclusion have been outlined. While the Code says complete exclusion from services should not occur, in practice these restrictions will mean, for example, that trans people can be stopped from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity and, if viewed as necessary, also from using bathrooms aligned with their sex assigned at birth to prevent distress to others.
As the host of the 2027 IDAHOT+ Forum, we demand that the UK government explain: how can trans people who participate in the Forum in 2027 feel safe in a country that has actively vilified trans people? How can any trans and intersex person travelling to the UK feel secure that they will be treated with respect and dignity while using services? How can broader LGBTI communities trust that the UK government will not sacrifice their rights at the altar of electoral politics?
Read the full statement here.