Is misgendering a trans person actually illegal in the UK?

It can be, yes. Gender reassignment is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, which means deliberate or repeated misgendering in certain contexts, like employment or service provision, can constitute harassment or discrimination. The law exists. The trouble is enforcement, and the fact that many institutions simply ignore it. Does that match what you have seen happening?

Why does it matter so much when charities misgender trans kids?

Because charities hold public trust and often work directly with vulnerable young people. When they misgender a trans child, they are not just being careless. They are signalling that this young person's identity is up for debate, which directly harms their safety and sense of self. And they are doing it while the law says gender reassignment deserves protection. How does that sit with you?

Charities are misgendering trans girls. The law says they cannot.

Substack 2 April 2026

Gender reassignment deserves genuine legal protection

Gender reassignment has been enshrined in UK law as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, yet registered charities are publicly referring to trans girls as boys. That is not a matter of opinion or debate. It is a failure to uphold the law, and it causes real harm to real children.

Gender reassignment has been enshrined in UK law as a protected characteristic, yet we continue to see figures at registered charities publicly referring to trans girls as boys. This contradiction raises serious questions about how this legal protection is being upheld in practice.

When institutions entrusted with safeguarding and welfare fail to recognise trans identities, the impact extends far beyond semantics. It undermines the legal framework that exists to protect trans people from discrimination and sends a harmful message about whose identities are valid and worthy of respect.

Read the full article to explore what this means for trans young people and why meaningful protection requires more than legislation alone.

In response to: A Protected Characteristic Without Protection (Substack)