What’s happened?

1. Supreme Court ruling

The UK Supreme Court involving the legal definition of sex and gender, ruling that the word 'sex' in the Equality Act refers to biological sex. This has raised alarm among equality and liberation groups. While the full implications are still being understood, we know that it has caused real concern for many students.

Read the interim update from EHRC

2. OfS Fine to University of Sussex

The Office for Students (OfS) fined the University of Sussex £585,000 (the first fine of its kind) because the university said its teaching would not include views seen as "anti-trans". The OfS said this was a breach of freedom of speech, arguing that lecturers should be able to present a range of views, including those that some may find controversial, as part of academic debate.

The OfS found that the university failed to protect freedom of speech properly and didn’t do enough to support students and staff expressing their views legally and safely.

Read the full report

Why this matters

This shows a shift in how universities are being held to account on freedom of speech. It means: 

• Universities must protect the right to express lawful views - even if they’re unpopular.
• At the same time, they must ensure everyone feels safe, respected, and included.

Balancing these duties isn’t always easy. That’s why it’s so important students know their rights and where to go for help.

What this means for you as a Hallam student

Here’s what it means day-to-day: 

• You have the right to express your views, respectfully and within the law. 
• Others have that right too - including the right to protest.
• The university must make sure speech is protected, and that campuses stay safe for everyone. 

We’re still waiting for more detailed legal advice through the NUS. But we’re committed to updating you as things develop, and we’ll continue working closely with societies, especially our LGBTQ+ Society as outlined in our byelaws to shape our response. 

Read NUS Guidance: Trans Inclusion

Officer Statement: Our commitment to you

Our Officers are here to advocate for your rights, support inclusive spaces, and ensure student voices are heard loud and clear.

In light of these developments, your Officers have issued the following statement:

As your elected Officers at Hallam Students’ Union, we want to speak directly to you about the recent and significant developments that we know have caused confusion and frustration, particularly for our trans and non-binary students.

First, we want to be clear, we condemn the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Equality Act and the fine issued to the University of Sussex by the Office for Students. These decisions represent a worrying shift in how the law is being interpreted and enforced, and we’re deeply concerned about the message they send to students at Hallam and across the country.

The Supreme Court has ruled that in certain legal contexts, the term "sex" under the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex rather than gender identity. While trans people remain protected under the characteristic of "gender reassignment," we recognise that this decision creates uncertainty and fear about how rights will be respected in various spaces.

We believe both decisions undermine efforts to build inclusive and safe learning environments and risk placing already marginalised students in more vulnerable positions. We know that these developments are not just legal matters, they’re personal, emotional, and affect people’s sense of belonging.

At Hallam Students’ Union, we are committed to standing by our trans and non-binary students and to defending your right to exist safely, proudly, and visibly in our community. We also recognise the legal complexities involved and are working with the National Union of Students (NUS) to fully understand what this means in practice and how best to respond. We will continue to consult and communicate transparently as guidance evolves.

We are proud of the diversity that makes our student community what it is, and we remain firm in our belief that universities must be places where people can both express their views lawfully and feel safe from harassment, intimidation, or exclusion.

If you’re feeling unsettled, please know you’re not alone. Whether you want support, or want to get involved in campaigning, we are here. We’re already working with students to organise around these issues and recently attended the NUS Day of Activism for transgender students.

We will always stand with you. We see you, we support you, and we are committed to making sure your rights and your dignity are not up for debate. You belong here, and we’ve got your back.

- Martha Mitchell, Molly Pemberton, Sarah Lahreche, Layla Barrett, Shafaq Sajid, Abi Marchant.

Practical info

• At the HUBS, we have two gender-neutral accessible toilets on the ground floor, plus male, female, and Disabled toilets. Ask at the Helpdesk if you need directions.

• Trans and non-binary people are protected under the Equality Act. Discrimination or harassment won’t be tolerated.

• Sheffield Hallam University has confirmed it will not be changing its current toilet policy.

• Team Hallam is following national guidance from BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport), but each sports club has its own inclusion statement, which you can find on the Team Hallam A–Z page.

Need help as a society? 

If your society has questions or needs support navigating this issue, contact Lucy, Social and Civic Engagement Manager: L.Webber@shu.ac.uk  

Looking for support or community?

Our Pride Hub is here to help you connect, find resources, and get involved in making change. On this page, you’ll find information about communities across Sheffield, events you can join and inclusive spaces throughout the city.

If you have concerns around recent rulings or want to help create change, contact our campaigns team at campaigns@shu.ac.uk.