Since the Supreme Court decision last month and subsequent European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) guidance, we have been reflecting on how best to stand up for the rights of trans and non-binary members of our University community.
Cambridge SU believes that trans women are women, trans men are men, and non-binary identities are valid, and that the University of Cambridge and its constituent colleges have a responsibility to promote a safe, welcoming, and caring environment for trans, non-binary, intersex, and questioning students. No student should be discouraged from participating in university life, or face barriers to accessing support, spaces, and facilities, due to their gender identity. Through Student Council, we have a policy to support the rights of trans students, which affirms all of the above and informs the direction of our support.
Below you can find the expectations we have for the University, acknowledging the legal requirements to which they must adhere, and the initiatives and campaigns that we are running to support trans students.
Single-sex spaces
Our SU policy to support the rights of trans students resolves to lobby colleges to continue to allow trans students to access the spaces that align with their gender identity. This does, however, mean lobbying them to break the law, which they are unlikely to do. This lobbying is, then, designed to put pressure on the University to stand publicly with trans students and use its power to lobby the government where it can.
The policy separately mandates us to work with student representatives to push for improved gender neutral provisions across the Collegiate University. Given the EHRC draft guidance, it is more important than ever that colleges have suitable gender-neutral provisions on top of the single-sex facilities they are required to provide. We would like to see colleges move to predominantly gender-neutral provision, with a few single-sex spaces retained to be compliant.
We have also been lobbying the University to give clearer messaging and affirmation of support for trans students in internal committees such as the EDI committee and the Gender Equality Steering group. They are still waiting on more guidance, but we are pushing them to maintain trans-inclusive policies wherever possible across the University.
Sports
Some sports will have to abide by the rules put in place by external regulators, particularly BUCS sports. We want intercollegiate sport to continue to honour self-ID, keeping participation in sports open to as many people as possible.
We will also continue to lobby the University Sports Centre and Colleges to introduce trans-inclusive women and non-binary only gym hours where provision is limited, and to adopt trans-inclusive policies for their teams and leagues wherever possible.
Welfare Support
College and University support services, including the University Counselling Service and Harassment and Violence Support Service, continue to be open to all students, regardless of gender identity. If you are worried about the changes mentioned above, or have experienced behaviour which makes you feel unsafe, please do not hesitate to reach out for support.
In future, Cambridge SU plans to lobby University and College welfare and counselling services to employ counsellors who specialise in LGBT+ welfare and mental health, to train all pastoral staff on LGBT+ identities, and to make clear to students what training counsellors and other pastoral staff have received.
The SU is launching a short-term gender expression fund, where you can apply for funding to cover a gender affirming product, including, but not limited to, a binder, packer, breastform or other items covered by our criteria. This will be overseen by our Activities Manager. Applications are open now and will close on June 24th.
Wider Campaigning
Cambridge SU is also working closely with the National Union of Students (NUS) to support the national campaign on Trans Inclusion. Working for trans rights is one of NUS’ four main priorities for 25/26. As a movement, they are committed to upholding trans and non-binary inclusion and building collective capacity to promote and defend trans rights.
Nowsha attended the recent NUS Trans Rights Action Day, which was an opportunity to reflect, develop and share best practice to empower trans students and SUs to fight for trans rights locally as well as nationally. It focused on movement building and lobbying nationally, with the aim to increase active allyship for trans people among youth & students, the Higher Education sector and within Parliament. Any student can join the NUS Liberation Collective which will continue to work on these priorities.
The EHRC is currently consulting on its draft guidance. We intend to respond to this guidance and would also encourage you to. We are following advice from the NUS and Transactual when completing our response. The NUS’s guidance to SUs can be found in the attached link.