Trans rights campaigners in Edinburgh have said they’re “quite angry” as the scrutiny period for updated guidance has ended.
Approximately 80 people gathered at the Resisting Transphobia in Edinburgh event at the top of the middle Meadows near Teviot Place on Thursday evening.
The group was protesting and raising awareness as the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) new guidance on single-sex spaces came into force.
She said: “We’re quite angry, it’s kind of the next thing in a long line of absolute humiliation.”
Thursday marked the end of the 40-day scrutiny period since the updated guidance was laid in Parliament, during which time it could have been rejected.
Parliamentary procedure means it could still be a number of weeks before the code formally comes into force, however.
The code of practice covers England, Scotland and Wales and was published in May.
It confirmed that services such as bathrooms and changing rooms must be used on the basis of biological sex – or sex assigned at birth – in order for it to be classed as single-sex under the Equality Act, as per the Supreme Court ruling in April 2025.
Ms Goodwyn said: “We think this is completely unfair, it’s a trampling of our rights and an attempt to erase trans people from public spaces.”
Leslie, 65, who lives in Edinburgh, was also at the protest in the capital city on Thursday evening.
He said he believes the updated guidance will have a “very, very bad impact” on a lot of women – including those who do not identify as trans.
“Anybody that doesn’t conform to patriarchal stereotypes in femininity, particularly women of colour, are liable to being challenged. It’s absolutely not on.
“I’m a transman, so I’m very much under the radar. It’s my trans sisters that are getting most of the flak in the media and elsewhere – so solidarity and love with them.”
The campaigners stood along the pavement leading to the Meadows. Many handed out fliers and information to passersby, while others played drums, held signs, and waved flags.
Although Mr Cunningham said many in the community are frustrated, he said the the Resisting Transphobia in Edinburgh community is also focused on love, solidarity and having fun.
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“We don’t want to be just seen screaming, howling, and outraged,” he said.
“We just want to point out that basically we’re like everybody else – we just want to get on living our lives peacefully, co-existing happily with other members of our community and everybody, and having some fun.”
For Women Scotland (FWS), who claimed victory in the Supreme Court ruling last year, hailed the publication of the guidance in May as a “significant milestone in ensuring women’s rights are upheld and protected”.
A FWS spokeswoman this week said: “It’s important to remember that the code does not represent a change in the law, just practical help for implementing it.
“If businesses have been complying with the law, there shouldn’t be a need for major changes.”
Earlier this week, a Government spokesperson said: “Many businesses will already be largely compliant with the code so there will be no cost at all.
“For those that do need to make changes, these are likely to be small, such as changing signs on existing facilities.
“This is about giving organisations the guidance they need, not changing the law or creating new rules.
“The draft code is clear that a provider’s size and the facilities they have available will be factors in how they follow the law.”