Despite numerous complaints, Southwark Council continues to allow men into women's changing rooms, disregarding the safety, privacy, dignity and comfort of women and girls. It's time for this to change.

Following a clear statement from the Supreme Court clarifying that "woman" means a biological female, Southwark Council should stop allowing males into female spaces – immediately. Women in Southwark deserve secure spaces where they can change without fear of being watched by a man or seeing a man undress.

Personal experiences shared by women show the real impact of their current operating procedure. Many women have self-excluded from exercise or moved to other gyms/pools. Others stay, but feel betrayed, uncomfortable and unsafe with a man or multiple men in their changing room. Miranda Newsom was banned from Southwark leisure centres for a year for asking a man to leave the female changing room and disputing the policy: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12/23/council-gym-trans-row/

London's Southwark Council does not even inform women, parents and girls of their decision allowing men into female changing rooms, based on a ‘visual assessment’ of how ‘feminine’ he tries to appear. This means unsuspecting women and girls are confronted with a man in their changing room – and silenced or punished if they object.

We urge Southwark Council to immediately restrict access to the women’s changing room to biological females only. By doing so, they will not only respect the law as clarified by the Supreme Court but also restore trust among the women and girls who use their facilities. Staff can sensitively direct anyone who doesn't want to use the facilities for their sex to single-user or mixed-sex facilities.

Implementing a female-only policy in council facilities should not be seen merely as compliance with legal definitions, but as a crucial step in safeguarding the rights, safety and wellbeing of women and girls. This change needs to happen immediately to prevent further incidents and potential lawsuits.

Please join us in advocating for a safer and respectful environment for all women and girls in Southwark by signing this petition today. Your signature can make a difference in ensuring the council takes this matter seriously and acts swiftly.