A new YouGov poll, published on Tuesday (11 February), has highlighted a significant rise in anti-trans sentiment across the UK, with even traditionally progressive groups, such as women and young people, showing growing scepticism towards trans rights.
In 2022, 44% of women supported legal gender changes, but by December 2024, that figure had dropped to 37%, while opposition rose from 32% to 42%. Among those aged 18-24, support for legal gender changes also declined by seven percentage points to 50%.
The public is now almost evenly split on gender identity issues—32% believe people should be able to change both their social and legal gender, while 33% think neither should be allowed.
Majority Oppose NHS-Provided Trans Healthcare
The study also found that most people oppose NHS-funded trans healthcare:
- 63% believe legal gender changes should not be made easier, compared to 19% who think it should be.
- 57% oppose the NHS providing trans treatments, an increase from previous years.
- 75% think puberty blockers should not be available to those under 16, while 78% oppose hormone treatments for minors.
Campaigners have recently called for the minimum age for gender-affirming treatments to be raised to 18.
Trans People Face Restrictions in Public Spaces
The survey also revealed growing opposition to trans people accessing single-sex spaces:
- 47% believe trans men should not be allowed in men’s toilets, while 49% oppose their access to men’s changing rooms.
- 55% oppose trans women using women’s toilets, and 58% object to them accessing women’s changing rooms.
- 52% do not believe trans women should be allowed in women’s refuges for victims of rape or assault.
Strong Opposition to Trans Inclusion in Sports
A significant majority oppose trans participation in gendered sports categories:
- 60% believe trans men should not compete in men’s sports.
- 74% oppose trans women competing in women’s sports.
Political and Media Influence on Attitudes
The YouGov survey is the latest in a series that began in 2018, consistently showing a rise in hostility towards trans rights. The UK Home Office previously acknowledged that increasing hate crimes against trans people may be linked to heightened media and political discourse surrounding trans issues.
Since taking office, Labour has upheld the Conservative ban on puberty blockers, which was introduced following the publication of the Cass Report in April. However, the government has denied reports that it plans to reverse existing gender recognition laws.
