Stonewall, the LGBTQ+ rights charity, has criticised a new YouGov survey, which asked the general public their opinion on trans rights. The survey of 2,078 adults asked questions such as: ‘People should / should not be able to identify as being of a different gender to the one they had recorded at b
Stonewall, the LGBTQ+ rights charity, has criticised a new YouGov survey, which asked the general public their opinion on trans rights.
The survey of 2,078 adults asked questions such as: ‘People should / should not be able to identify as being of a different gender to the one they had recorded at birth’; In principle, it should / should not be made easier for trans people to change their legal gender; and trans women should / should not be allowed to use women’s changing rooms.
The study, published today (Tuesday, February 11) shows that 18-24 year olds remain the most permissive group when it comes to trans rights.
Other findings:
When it comes to the questions of whether people should be able to socially identify as a different gender, the number of 18-24 year olds who say they should – 61% – remains almost exactly the same as in 2022. However, the number who say they should not has risen eight points to 25% over the same time period.
On the core question of whether Britons believe someone should be able to socially identify as a different gender, the public still tend to say that they should, by 49% to 35% who say they should not. However, the former stance is down six points from 2022, while the latter stance is up ten points.
The survey shows that 41% of Britons say they have paid “a lot” or “a fair amount” of attention to the issue in politics and the media, up from 35% at the time of the last study.
Seven in ten Britons (70%) say that the approval of doctors should still be compulsory as part of gaining a Gender Recognition Certificate
The majority of those surveyed (57%) say gender reassignment surgery should not be provided through the NHS, with 51% saying the same of hormone treatments.
Almost half of Britons say that trans men should not be allowed use men’s toilets (47%) or changing rooms (49%) – higher than the 32-35% who would permit it. For transgender women, resistance to allowing toilet and changing room access increases to 55% and 58%, respectively. Additionally, 52% of Britons say trans women should not be allowed to use women’s refuges for victims of rape or assault.
Most Britons are opposed to allowing trans people to take part in gendered sporting events, and transgender women in particular. While 60% say trans men should not be allowed in men’s sports events, this rises to 74% for trans women at women’s competitions.
Commenting on the findings, a Stonewall spokesperson said: “We should be proud of living in a tolerant society that aspires to guarantee equal rights for all. These findings show that more people, especially Gen Z who are much more likely to identify as LGB, believe that people should have the right to identify as their chosen gender. But these statistics come amidst widespread and divisive rhetoric surrounding the right of trans people to not only participate in daily life, but their right to exist – rhetoric that should frighten us all.
“Polling the general public on the rights of a marginalised group further stokes division and undermines social cohesion. There would rightfully be uproar if the public were asked their views on whether other marginalised groups should have equal rights or be allowed to participate in daily life. We must stand firm against an increasing attempt to sow division and degrade hard-won rights. Everyone deserves to be treated equally and feel able go about their daily lives without fear of discrimination or prejudice.”
Full results HERE
