24th June 2025
An open letter to all UK Universities
I write to you as the Chair of FFLAG, to request your help in responding to parents contacting us with concerns for the futures of their trans children who are either due to begin their university careers or applying to universities in the new academic year.
At FFLAG we play a unique and distinctive role as the longest established UK charity devoted specifically to supporting parents and carers of LGBT+ children and we believe that gives us a valuable perspective to share as we work towards what is clearly a common goal with you – that our LGBT+ children are treated with respect and are able to live with dignity, free from hate and discrimination.
You will undoubtedly be aware that the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued interim guidance about how organisations should deal with trans people that, if confirmed, would segregate them from other students, force disclosure of their sex assigned at birth whenever they need to use a toilet, and exclude them from joining sports clubs and other student societies.
We believe this interim guidance is an unnecessary measure to deal with a non-existent problem, a contradiction of the intentions of the Equality Act 2010, a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights and is incompatible with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite it not being the law, however, the interim guidance is already being implemented by some organisations. This has had a particularly detrimental effect on young people sitting their “A” Level exams this summer.
University is a time for young people to grow and develop into rounded, critically thinking citizens. Parents frequently have to advocate for their trans children to be treated with equality and this is the first time these young people will be living away from home. Please take action to reassure our children that they will be able to pursue their studies at your university in an accepting environment that recognises the principle that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
We are asking that you ensure your policies are inclusive and would like to understand what information will be made publicly available, via your websites and social media, to reassure both those students starting this autumn and those about to choose which universities to apply to.
We welcome this reassurance for our families and their loved ones that you will provide a safe and nurturing environment where everyone is treated equally and can succeed.
Yours sincerely
Sarah Furley
Chair