The Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) specifically outlaws transgender discrimination and gives everyone access to employment, education, goods and services regardless of transgender status. It protects those who have been treated unfairly because of their transgender status, and ensures employers and those who provide goods and services do not discriminate on these grounds.
Trans people have the right to live with dignity – there is protection for some of the forms of discrimination that trans people experience.
Trans (or Transgender) is an umbrella term used by people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from their birth sex. The term includes, but is not limited to, transsexual people and others who define as gender-variant. Transgender people may or may not choose to alter their bodies hormonally and/or surgically. Known as gender reassignment or transition this is usually a complex process that takes place over a long period of time.
The SDA contains protections for people who plan to undergo, are undergoing, or have undergone gender reassignment. Some transgender people are not covered by the gender reassignment provisions in the SDA but are still protected from discrimination on the basis of their birth sex by the SDA.
The law gives rights of redress to those who feel discriminated against, including recourse to a court (or tribunal in employment cases.) However, the system now encourages mediation as a first step to resolving age discrimination disputes.
If you are involved in such a dispute, you can find out more about specific transgender related issues by clicking on the links below. These pages are from the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Understanding the terms that are used
Transgender: what the law says
Transsexual people: your rights at work
Taking a sex discrimination case
Transexual people: your rights relating to the provision of goods, facilities and services
Transexual people: your rights relating to privacy
Transexual people: your right to change your name
Transgender – additional resources
If you are involved in an alleged case of transgender discrimination you can find out if mediation is suitable by contacting us directly.