Cultural organisations from across the UK have signed up to a new partnership to help the sector counter “increasing hostility, discrimination and violence” facing trans communities.

So far eight institutions have joined the partnership, which is being led by the University of Leicester’s Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG) and supported by national art charity Art Fund.

The partners will work closely with a team of experts in trans-inclusion, equality law and ethics to develop new guidance and practical resources for the UK’s culture sector that will be launched next year.

Professor Richard Sandell, co-director of RCMG, which previously published guidance on trans inclusion in 2023, said cultural organisations are experiencing challenges on trans inclusion in the face of “increasing misinformation surrounding trans lives”.

“Our partnership will generate strategies and actions that address the uncertainties and anxieties that cultural organisations face and equip them to be proactive in countering the increasing hostility, discrimination and violence that trans communities are facing.”

Single-sex spaces

The move follows a controversial Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a ‘woman’ that has implications for single-sex spaces, services and policies.

In response, the Equality and Human Rights Commission issued interim guidance outlining what toilet and changing spaces organisations should provide, stating that: “Trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities and trans men (biological women) should not be permitted to use the men’s facilities.”

However, more than 2,300 figures in the arts and culture sector have signed a letter saying they are “unable and unwilling to police the gender of people using toilets”.

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said there is an increasing need for ethical guidance to build confidence around trans inclusion in the sector.

“As a charity dedicated to supporting museums, galleries, and historic houses across the UK, Art Fund is committed to helping them be welcoming spaces for all to enjoy,” she said.

“It’s inspiring to see cultural institutions leading by example – showing what it means to create truly inclusive spaces.”

Practical guidance

Confirmed partners include Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, Culture Leicestershire, Glasgow Women’s Library, National Museums Liverpool, National Museums NI, The New Art Gallery Walsall, Royal Air Force Museum, and the Whitworth, The University of Manchester, with more organisations joining as the project develops.

Professor Suzanne MacLeod, co-director of RCMG, said: “Our highly collaborative process brings together leading-edge scholarship and expertise around ethics, the law, trans inclusion and equality to generate practical guidance and resources that meet a pressing and growing need across the cultural sector.

“The insights and resources we are creating will ensure staff, volunteers, freelancers, leaders and trustees can take this important work forward with confidence, advancing inclusion for all and positively impacting the experiences of trans individuals and communities.”