A new report has revealed that only four formal complaints have been made across the UK regarding trans women entering so-called “single-sex” spaces since 2022 — dismantling a core argument used in anti-trans rhetoric.
The findings come from a major investigation by advocacy group TransLucent, which submitted hundreds of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to local councils, NHS hospitals, domestic abuse refuges, and other public authorities in England over a two-year period.
Despite widespread media coverage and political debate about the supposed risks posed by trans people in public facilities, just four official complaints were recorded across 382 public bodies.
Councils Report Almost Zero Complaints
The first phase of TransLucent’s investigation focused on council-owned buildings, including swimming pools and leisure centres.
Out of 40 local authorities that responded:
- 35 reported zero complaints about trans individuals using toilets, changing rooms, or other facilities.
- The remaining five had no relevant records.
- One single complaint cited involved a cisgender person using the “wrong” facility — not a trans person.
The second phase of the investigation covered public bodies responsible for services used by over 16.5 million people. Just two complaints were logged: one regarding a general policy, and another about perceived identity, not a confirmed trans person.
The Myth vs. The Reality
TransLucent argues that the findings sharply contrast with the misinformation frequently peddled by ‘gender-critical’ groups, media outlets, and some government figures, who claim trans inclusion in single-sex spaces puts cisgender women and girls at risk.
However, there is no evidence to support such claims. Instead, multiple studies — including the 2023 Femicide Census — confirm that the greatest threat to women’s safety in the UK comes from cisgender men, with one woman killed by a man every three days on average.
“Gender-critical groups often attempt to use these statistics to falsely implicate trans women in male violence,” the report states.
Media’s Role in Fueling Panic
According to TransLucent, media outlets play a significant role in perpetuating the myth of widespread incidents, often presenting hypothetical fears as if they reflect reality.
“Anti-trans coverage creates a perception of widespread problems where none exist,” the report notes, accusing some outlets of amplifying anecdotal concerns while ignoring hard data.
This perception has, the group argues, led organisations to adopt restrictive policies out of fear of complaints rather than in response to any evidence-based risk.
“The term ‘single-sex spaces’ has become politically charged, shifting from practical safety concerns to ideological positioning,” TransLucent writes.
‘Let Trans People Live Safely’
The group concludes by urging public bodies and policy-makers to base their decisions on empirical data — not public pressure, moral panic, or misinformation.
“Behind the statistics are real people navigating daily life,” the report reads.
“Trans women using public toilets, accessing healthcare, or seeking refuge from domestic abuse are not engaged in political protest; they are simply trying to live safely and with dignity.”
