Gender reassignment discrimination
If you're treated unfairly because you're a transgender person, this is is called 'discrimination because of gender reassignment'.
The Equality Act 2010 says it's only unlawful discrimination if you're treated a certain way, because of certain reasons called 'protected characteristics'. Gender reassignment is one of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
What’s meant by gender reassignment
You have the protected characteristic of gender reassignment if you:
- want to reassign your sex from your birth sex to your preferred sex
- do this by changing physical or other characteristics
Gender reassignment is a personal process rather than a medical one. You don't have to undergo medical treatment or be under medical supervision to be protected under the Equality Act as a transgender person.
Next steps
Other useful information
Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS)
If you have experienced discrimination, you can get help from the EASS discrimination helpline.
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
- You can find useful information about discrimination on the EHRC website at www.equalityhumanrights.com