Thursday July 2nd 2026
Glasgow Council leader Susan Aitken
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
Council leader Susan Aitken has said the LGBT community are welcome in Glasgow and the city has their back after raising concerns about how trans people are impacted by new guidance.
The draft code of practice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) states single sex spaces including changing rooms and toilets must be used on the basis of biological sex.
It stated a trans woman could not use female toilets but another gender neutral option should be provided.
SNP Councillor Aitken agreed with concerns expressed by trans organisations following the guidance, which was published following the Supreme Court Ruling that the definition of a woman in the Equality Act should be interpreted as biological sex.
She pointed out trans organisations “have said that they believe that this guidance is often contradictory and confusing – providing no clear advice on how services can include trans people”.
She told last week’s full council meeting: “It is vital that any code of practice is clear, consistent and workable in practice, it supports inclusion and it provides confidence to those of us who are delivering services and protects the rights and dignity of everyone who is affected. This is essential for public bodies and for the many organisations in front line services who are going to rely on this guidance every day. I don’t believe this guidance does that in its current form.”
Councillor Aitken was replying to a question from councillor Declan Blench querying her response to the EHRC updated code of practice.
Commenting on how the the UK is ranked 22nd out of 49 European countries for LGBTQIA+ equality, councillor Blench asked if Councillor Aitken would reaffirm the council’s commitment to the rights of trans people and the wider LGBT community.
Replying, councillor Aitken said: “We are seeing and our colleagues at Police Scotland are recording significant rises in hate crime against LGTBT people.”
She added: “We take the opportunity to say to our LGBT friends and colleagues that they are welcome here – they are supported and that this city will have your back.”
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