Trans Travellers in Britain- What the New Single-Sex Facilities Rules Mean
New Equality Act guidance affects how single-sex facilities operate across Britain. Here is what trans travellers need to know about hotels, gyms, spas and changing rooms.
Trans travellers visiting England, Scotland or Wales could encounter changes to how single-sex facilities are operated following new statutory guidance that came into force on 5 August 2026.
The updated Equality Act Code of Practice covers services and public functions, including facilities travellers may use in hotels, gyms, swimming pools, spas and leisure centres.
The Code does not create a new Equality Act, but it provides statutory guidance on how existing equality law should be applied. Courts and tribunals must also take the Code into account where it is relevant to a case.
Why have the rules changed?
The update follows the UK Supreme Court’s ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers on 16 April 2025. The Supreme Court held that references to sex, man and woman in the Equality Act 2010 relate to biological sex, and the Government subsequently updated the Code to reflect that judgment.
Gender reassignment remains a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. Trans people therefore continue to have legal protection against unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
What does it mean for single-sex facilities?
The new Code gives service providers a clearer position on facilities specifically designated as male or female. Where a provider operates a legally recognised single-sex service, access should be organised according to biological sex rather than gender identity.
The guidance also explains that allowing people of the opposite biological sex to use a facility described as single-sex could mean that service no longer qualifies as a single-sex service under the Equality Act.
For travellers, this could affect facilities such as changing rooms at hotel gyms, swimming pools, spas and leisure centres. The Code also points towards mixed-sex, individual or lockable facilities as alternatives that can be made available alongside male and female spaces.
What should trans travellers expect?
Travellers should not assume that access to a male or female single-sex facility will necessarily be based on gender identity. Hotels and leisure venues may increasingly organise those areas according to biological sex while providing private or mixed alternatives where available.
Anyone concerned about facilities at a particular hotel, spa or gym may therefore want to check before travelling. Asking whether private changing rooms, individual facilities or mixed-sex options are available can help avoid uncertainty on arrival.
The practical impact could be significant as organisations review their policies, signs and facilities following the updated guidance. Changes may be particularly noticeable in venues that previously operated different policies around access to male and female spaces.
The guidance is being challenged
The legal position is also being contested. An unnamed trans claimant and trans-inclusive organisations, supported by the Good Law Project, have begun a legal challenge against parts of the Code.
Those involved argue that elements of the guidance are incompatible with equality and human rights protections. The challenge does not suspend the Code, however, which remains in force while the legal process continues.
Where to check before travelling
The full Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations 2026 is available through GOV.UK and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
For travellers, checking directly with a hotel, spa, gym or leisure centre remains the simplest way to understand what facilities are available before a visit. Policies and building layouts can vary, particularly where older venues have limited space for additional private or mixed facilities.
The full Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations 2026 can be read on the official GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-code-of-practice-for-services-public-functions-and-associations-2026.
The updated Code applies across England, Scotland and Wales and has been in force since 5 August 2026.
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