Protections in law

Protections in law

The Equality Act 2010 provides protections prohibiting unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation of staff, students or visitors on the grounds of gender reassignment. This applies to employment, education (including higher education) and in the provision of goods and services. The University, as a public authority, also has public equalities duties in relation to gender reassignment.

The protection from unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation is available to all individuals who intend to live their lives permanently in the opposite gender from their gender at birth.

There is no need for the individual to be under medical supervision or intend to undertake reassignment surgery to benefit from the legal protections.

Additionally, the Gender Recognition Act 2004 allows individuals who have undergone gender reassignment to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). This means that she or he is legally recognised for all purposes in the acquired gender.

It is a criminal offence under this legislation to disclose information obtained in an ‘official capacity’ (i.e. as part of a person's job of function within the University) about the gender history of a person with a GRC.

Whilst an individual is undergoing the gender reassignment process she or he benefits from protection from unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation.