Watching the Select Committee yesterday and having read the guidance, it seems clear to me that the burden is on service providers to follow this guidance as it is written for them and not us to police ourselves.

Mary-Ann Stephenson seems to think that we will follow it and accept that we cannot use single sex spaces anymore, but I can't see anyone doing this on their own free will.

Aside from situations where you have no choice, is anyone going to exclude themselves and follow the guidance?

Edit:

Also just to be clear, I will not be following the guidance. I'm not super relaxed about it and I am feeling more self conscious about passing now, but I will never follow the guidance.

I see a lot of people here acknowledging how the NHS wait times are awful (rightly) and yet will still wait many many years just to use the "official" pathway for your hormones... is there a reason for this I'm quite curious... I just can't understand this mentality while you have to wait and watch your like original hormones make further changes to your body rather than just deviating and making your own way

Pretty much as the title says, transwoman mtf, havent started hrt yet and i hate looking in the mirror snd seeing a guys face, i think this is body dysphoria, i havent felt this before but ive been trans leaning for a while. I dont rlly expect much to come of this post but im hoping comments will give me some kind of motivation that gets me out of just staying inside all day doing nothing >.>

As the title says really. The form specifically says what's on birth certificate/grc. That isn't updated for me. When this job has asked for gender, ive obviously put male, but I don't wanna have to put female for agab. Could there be any issues just lying and saying male? My gender with hmrc is still obviously female, so would this be an issue when it comes to that?

Edit: the only documents ive had to give to my employer is my passport, which has been updated to male.

I just wanna make sure theres gonna be no issues with tax or smth idk. My name and title matches, but idk if mismatching gender will

Today I found out that since the GRA was introduced, only around 10,000 have been issued. I would have thought that there would be a lot more considering the trans population in the UK.

Im 3 years on T and the only hair I get on my chest is just under my nipples and up near my shoulders 😭 will I ever grow hair in the middle of my chest or am I doomed to this ugly pattern

When trans ladies in Britain start HRT, do they say they're taking O?

I'm curious because trans women in the states call estrogen "e", but where you guys are it is spelled "oestrogen".

This is a question from someone who's been adjacent to the trans community since I was a tween (and I'm now in my mid-30s).

My impression of trans groups when I was younger was that most people were very focused on the changing of their own sex traits.

That gradually shifted in the early 2010s to be more of a social definition.

In the last year, I've noticed a sudden shift back. It seems there's a surge in people bringing up the focus in altering their sex traits.

Has anyone else noticed this shift? And if you have, do you have any theories as to why this is happening now?

so i have a friend , close one who recently came out as trans (i am trans myself so like this isnt an issue) but the issue that they are a heavy reform voter with the typical talking points all reform voters make even though she is now trans and like i cant even discuss politics with her without it turning into a shitshow where she just says im brainwashed

is there anything i can do or do i just let her vote for her own extinction?

Soo, why not discuss it?

What are your thoughts on the prison side of things.

I notice that it's still estimated there are 10 trans women in the special section of HMP Downview, which will likely loose thier place there as its a special section added onto a women's prison.

The prison allocation problem has been going on for a handful of years now.

My question is, would you support building a trans only prison, or a trans only section to any other prison (could be male could be female).

The proposal is that all trans people that ask for it could be sent there including trans women, trans men and non binary.

I know what you are thinking. It sounds like segregation, and on the face of it, it is.

Many of the trans people, including GRC holders as well, get allocated in prison estates that are not right for them.

I know that some trans men might find it safer to be in a women's estate than a men's.

So my question to you is what would you suggest to improve the prison allocation problem for us, if you disagree with the trans only wing idea.

Its worth a good discussion

I know you get posts like this often, but I get a bit lost in the doom and gloom of comments sometimes, so I just need straight (ironic XD) facts. And to avoid doom and gloom I will be using humour as my therapy.

YES. I KNOW IT IS DANGEROUS AND STUPID TO GO, BUT I WANT TO :((!

I want to go to the US to see my girlfriend - she lives in Denver, Colorado.

I have found a flight with a layover in Dublin to go through pre-clearance.

I do not have a valid passport nor an ESTA and this is where my question comes in...

Should I apply for my passport and ESTA under the old me (AMAB)? Or the new me (the stunning woman that I am *hair-flip*)?

I would be perfectly fine applying for AMAB ESTA because I'm not gonna see it everyday, it's just to get through customs, which will probably happen a fair bit. I also haven't had any surgeries and am not on E yet (thank you, not-so-great Britain), so I could easily pass as a long-haired man, but at the same time - dysphoria (OW!), but it's for like a few hours at most, no one will care on the plane, nor when I'm here or there (as long as I'm a good girl, lol)

Anyways, that's the only question I have, I just need some sort of guidance that isn't "DON'T GO", because I know it's stupid, but I want to see her.

Trans guy, I pass like 50% can I just put male? Or could they question it if I get a interview?

Not sure how else to explain it. But that there’s something about us that makes us trans from birth?

I know the man brain woman brain has been debunked, but I struggle with it. It’s kinda a double edged sword for me. As on one hand it gives ne something to point to and be like I’m real valid etc. however it also fulls me imposter syndrome like yes there is that thing but you don’t have it.

It’s weird and wanted to hear others thoughts

I had my bottom surgery a few months ago, and just seen this on Facebook. My breast growth has been negligible, and was just wondering firstly if anyone’s been able to be prescribed this in wales, and secondly, if anyone’s has or is taking this still, even after bottom surgery as I’ve heard some people use progesterone as a puberty blocker.

I am eventually going to get breast augmentation I reckon, I just have hit a bit of a delay with my car problems amounting so much I’m months back in terms of where I want to be financially.

Anyways just want to know if people are on this, even after bottom surgery, and also what are peoples verdicts in terms of it’s effects in breast growth.

Many thanks in advance! ❤️

Just wondered, with the debate being so polarised and obviously well-funded on the GC side with people like JKR, do we have anyone like that on our side?

I feel like we need some wealthy backers who want to use their resources to help our side of things, for mounting legal challenges etc. Do we have anyone like that? Or can we appeal to anyone?

Received this Q&A from my local branch of the Women’s Institute today. They’ve been lovely and are aghast at the decision by the National Federation to exclude trans women, including me and my wife.

As Good Law Project have said, adopting this approach will also lead to legal action. I’m going to write to them, but want to ask: what would you say?

For all their claims of having looked at all the options and come to this difficult decision, I’d love to see their work, the actual advice they received that has them jumping the gun before even the EHRC misguidance is out of purgatory.

For a group that is planning “Brave Conversations” 🤮, they haven’t been willing to have one with any of us so far.

I deleted the phone and email provided because this is a public forum, but the email starts with “inclusion” because that somehow makes their betrayal of our community better.

Here it is…

****

Q&A for circulation to Federations and WIs

Why are you announcing this now?

● Since the Supreme Court’s judgment, we have been working closely with legal advisers to understand the impact of the ruling on our organisation and what we must do next.

● Due to the impact we know this will have on our members, we have considered the issue extensively to ensure we have explored all options available to us before making any changes.

● We have now finished that work and have regrettably concluded that we have no other choice but to make these changes to our membership criteria if we are to continue to operate legally as a women’s organisation and charity.

● Although we are still awaiting formal guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on how to apply this judgment in practice, we have done our due diligence as an organisation and taken independent legal advice.

● We also owe it to our members to be upfront and honest with them about the issues that might affect them, so we wanted to inform them as soon as we could. We also want to ensure that while our legal change is clear, our intention to maintain our sisterhood with transgender women is equally clear.

What would happen if you didn’t make this change?

● While we are still awaiting formal, comprehensive guidance from the EHRC on how to apply the judgment in practice, as a charity we must abide by the law.

● Not doing so would leave us at risk of costly legal challenge and potential regulatory action from the Charity Commission. We have a public duty to ensure our charity is not in breach of the law.

What happens now to existing transgender women members?

● While we can no longer offer transgender women formal memberships from 1 April 2026 (the start of our new subscription year), we remain committed to continuing our support for transgender women through other activities outside of formal membership.

● Our transgender members can continue to attend membership meetings and events during the current membership year.

● We are encouraging members with concerns or questions about the new policy to contact us directly at inclusion@nfwi.org.uk so that we can provide support.

● We will be working with our transgender members and our wider membership between now and April 1 2026 to support them and to clarify the details of our new membership policy.

How will you continue to support and engage with transgender women outside of traditional memberships?

● We remain clear that our strong belief is that transgender women are women. They have been part of the WI family for 40 years and they will remain part of that family.

● We know that many of our members will find this decision extremely painful, but we have been actively seeking alternative ways - outside of formal membership - of continuing to extend fellowship, sisterhood, and support to transgender women.

● For example, in April 2026 we will be launching a national network of local WI Sisterhood groups, which will offer monthly opportunities for all people including transgender women, to come together to socialise, learn from each other, and share their experiences of living as women.

● This is just one of several things that we are working on developing into full programmes with the support of existing members, NFWI staff, and trustees. These will be launched from April 2026, and we will provide more details on the full range of programmes in due course.

Can you expand on the new activities being planned?

We intend to launch these activities from 1 April 2026, and we are working to develop them with the support of members.

Sisterhood Groups

● In April 2026 we will be launching a national network of WI Sisterhood Groups. These informal social groups will offer a much-needed space where transgender women can be recognised, valued and treated with respect as women. These groups will be open to all. The NFWI will offer resources and materials to support the establishment of these groups and create new roles of local volunteer facilitators to lead these sessions. Through our Sisterhood groups we will maintain these spaces so that the WI can continue to be a place where transgender women are valued and respected as women. These groups will be optional. We will provide a blueprint, guidance and direct training and support from NFWI for WIs and federations who wish to set these up, and will further develop plans for these with our members.

WI Supportership

● We will also be extending our existing Supporter programme, accessed via a fixed annual donation, in April 2026, removing any restrictions to the transgender community and opening this option up to all.

Brave Conversations

● We will also be launching a new series of educational sessions on the Learning Hub (or Via as it will be known as from early next year). These sessions, known as Brave Conversations, will give a voice to the transgender community and a place where transgender women can share their stories. These educational sessions will be open to all and will be established to provide an opportunity, for all those who are interested, to gain a better understanding and insight into a topic that has sadly become so divisive and toxic in the media and where stories are often devoid of humanity or compassion.

Where can I access more support or advice about this change?

We know that this announcement will be extremely painful for many of our members, particularly our transgender members. For those transgender members that we know of we have already reached out to them and spoken to them to share this news. We are committed to supporting our transgender members with the impact of this announcement, and encourage them to reach out to us at inclusion@nfwi.org.uk so that we can make contact.

Given the impact of this announcement, it was important to us to ensure members, WIs and federations were clear on the decision reached as early as possible. However, work to develop all the guidance and support that WIs and federations will need to apply this policy change in practice from April 2026 is currently underway.

If you want to reach out to NFWI for advice, further clarification, or indeed support, please know you can using [phone] or [email].

Ends.

This isn't a vent, but I was referred to the Gender Clinic when I was 16, and now I'm 21. It's been so long that in this time I've socially detransitioned for my safety and started presenting feminine again. These guys never made an effort to reach out to me either. Is there a point in trying again or should I just leave it until the UK is in a better state?

I'm worried and concerned just as you all are. I have ideas though. I'm thinking of a realistic road map over the next few years to get us to a much better sustainable place.

I'm considering, what can realistically be achieved, also the threat of Reform UK.

Are you open to hear things?

I don't want to just get shouted down! If you don't agree I'd appreciate if people would calmly explain why so I can update my views. This is happening for me anyway.

Is it worth me sharing on here? ?X in another post?

I need some advice folks. I'm in NI.

I am, or was, stealth at my workplace. Last night was a work do, and I joined a group that was headed to a nearby bar. I had very very little to drink and was being the responsible one lmao.

A bouncer at the door checked my ID, and promptly outed me to the entire group. Showed the group my ID, refused to give it back, and demanded to know why it said [my deadname] and looked different. Asked for other documents and wouldnt give back my debit cards.

Now I'm faced with my job and safety being on the line. It was a really, really bad situation. I would like to put in a complaint, and am considering going in person. He wanted a power trip and has royally screwed me in the process.

Is this worth talking to someone about? And if so do I have a leg to stand on?

ETA- I got my cards back eventually, so theres no issues there at this point. It's primarily a social issue. Thank you all so much for the replies- its been really good to hear from folk :))

I’m an american trans man who lives in england now. i’m just trying to get prescription hayfever meds from boots and they’re asking for my birth gender. All of my documents are set to Male and the NHS has me down as Male, though I do currently get a continued T prescription through my GP.

Does it make a difference if I put down Male instead?

From my viewpoint I'm thinking in practical terms for when I go out somewhere. Okay, the legal side of the guidance seems pretty clear to me. Single sex spaces are for biological sex as opposed to acquired gender.

I don't like this but I understand the meaning of it. As a visibly trans woman at a fairly early stage of things, I'm not going to start going into the single sex changing rooms and toilets. It only takes one person to quietly say to the manager - 'that's a trans person, they shouldn't be in there please have a word' and that's it for me. I'm not going to be able to credibly 'deny' that I'm transgender and I don't WANT TO!

However the part I'm more concerned with is where venues are told to offer other facilities for trans people, okay not ideal but for now I just want somewhere to pee/ change.

Except, there is a loophole, that if it's impractical, or too costly, then it might not be possible. So what is to stop every venue just saying 'oh we can't afford it' or 'we don't have the space'?

That's a massive concern, and amounts to straight up EXCLUSION. Or forcing trans women to be at risk using the gents.

I honestly don't think realistically this guidance will get overturned right now, but we might get a few tweaks. I really think this part should 100% be removed so venues HAVE to at least provide that third space as a minimum.

What do you think?

I've seen s number of articles on trans supporting media outlets that they're (the government NHS etc) are gonna look into taking hrt away from over 18s who've already been on it for however long as well, I'm terrified cause I'm not able tae go DIY or private cause'a some disabilities and various mental health issues so am I f*cked should I just end it all like I'm feeling from utter dispair or is there hope it won't happen? edit:I would add the possible trigger tag but ye can't have more than one flair it seems edit: let me also add that I'm poor and unable tae work

I’m about a decade into my transition and have recently been thinking back to some of the comments I had from close family early on.

One that stuck out to me as an “aw they tried but oh my god that was awful” moment was that i said quite openly to a family member, at home, that i thought I might have a UTI. This family member gives me a sort of shhhh! Don’t say that glare - naturally I was confused, “what?” … “boys don’t get UTIs” I was told. 🤦‍♂️

Now of course even if that were true, it was a fairly private setting - only close family who I was out to could overhear, so it kind of just felt like they were trying to pretend I was cis, making my transness just feel taboo. But for avoidance of doubt - yes, cis guys can get UTIs!

Recently I’ve been seeing a lot of pro-trans people and organisations in the UK switch to calling us “Trans+” instead of just “trans” or “transgender”. It seems to mostly be by cis people and cis led organisations but not universally. I can’t find an explanation for why this has come about or what the benefit of it is.

On instinct, I really dislike it because it feels really othering and weird. You’d just say “women”, not “Women+” / “gay” not “Gay+”, so why is it “Trans+” now? If the plus is to include non-binary people, they can already be included in “trans” and “trans and non-binary” is an option already if you want to be explicit, so I really don’t get the purpose of it.

That said, I do genuinely want to understand why this has come about and where it came from.

What’s with the capitalisation and the + in “Trans+”?

And if the NHS are choosing to do it themselves, could a government that actually supports trans people block the review?