'Toilet police' not expected over single-sex space guidance, equality boss says

Nobody is expecting there to be a toilet police in the first place, but everyone should follow the rules when advising on single-sex spaces is published, according to the new head of the equality watchdog.

Things could be sorted out if there is goodwill and acknowledgement that everyone has rights,

says Dr. Ann Stephenson, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The guidelines, which were drafted for employers and services, was released after the Supreme Court's decision in April that a woman should be legally defined by biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. Dr Stephenson's first appearance in her new role is in the BBC interview, which was broadcast on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

The EHRC's recommendations were sent to the government three months ago, but it has yet to announce it officially, which would give the code of practice legal force. Its mission is to advise businesses and consumers about how the Supreme Court's decision should function, such as women's asylums, gyms, hospitals, or shopping centers. The 300-page paper, which was leaked by the BBC, states that single-sex spaces should only be accessible to people of the same biological sex, otherwise they will cease to be single-Sex areas. For example, a trans woman – a biological male who identifies as a woman - would not be able to use women's toilets and changing rooms. According to the instructions, it may be appropriate for businesses or services to ask people to verify that they are of the eligible sex

by proportionate means. Any transgender activists have sparked controversies and indignation.

Nobody is expecting there to be a toilet police,Dr. Stephenson told the BBC.But in the same way, if there are instances where people are concerned about regular problems, people may need to worry about. Improve signage, increase explanations, or make sure they have a different option.

She said she wanted both service providers and people using these services to

follow the rules. Dr. Stephenson was asked what facilities trans people should use if there were no alternatives or what businesses should do if they did not have the space or funds to make additional provision.

There's often unisex provision and where there isn't, but I'd say, we need to think more broadly about how we ensure those that those services are available

If you've got two self-contained cubicles, one of which is labeled men and one of whom is labelled female,

a service provider should do is to make both of those unisexed.

Dr Stephenson was appointed to the position in July in July and began earlier this month. Any trans campaigners treated it with hostility, in part because she had contributed to the case of lawyer Allison Bailey, who was awarded a jury award for being discriminated against because of her gender-critical views. Dr Stephenson was insistent that she could still be objective when considering trans issues in our interview. She said she donated to the cause because she was so frustrated with instances where

women were being threatened and losing their jobs on the basis of lawfully held convictions.

When trying to have meetings to discuss proposed reforms in the legislation,

she said she had been worried about some women's experiences.

I thought it was important that actually living in a democracy,

she said.

If there is a proposed reform to the legislation, people should be able to meet and discuss those changes without violence or coercion.

If that's taking a stand, it's on the side of kind of democratic values and open debate and dialogue. Laura Kuenssberg's full interview will be held on Sunday.