CILIP always has and always will support the whole library, knowledge and information workforce, and all service users – including trans people.

Reading widely, informing civil debates with trustworthy information, and interacting with a diverse range of people in safe shared spaces are all essential for our society to flourish.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), other public bodies, and employers are now starting to interpret the 16 April UK Supreme Court ruling before making any changes to guidance and services.

CILIP is concerned to hear that trans people among our membership, the wider sector, and their communities of users are worried about what this means for them and their day-to-day lives. That worry extends beyond just trans people and beyond the wider LGBTQ+ community.

Protections against discrimination and harassment on the basis of all nine protected characteristics remain in place. The sector should continue to safeguard all staff, volunteers and users, ensuring policies prevent any form of harassment or exclusion, and noting the particularly high rates experienced by trans people.

For 148 years CILIP has been committed to empowering those in the sector so that they in turn can support society’s changing needs. Librarians and other information professionals are expert in engaging and empowering their whole user community, building diverse collections that inspire, challenge and build empathy. They also ensure services feel safe, supporting wellbeing. They will continue to obey the law and to be guided by our shared Definition of Professionalism and enduring professional values, including intellectual freedom and inclusion.

Together with our LGBTQ+ Network and partners across the profession, CILIP will continue to assess the judgement’s implications for our sector. As allies to our LGBTQ+ and other member communities, CILIP remains fully committed to fostering inclusive workplaces and services, where everyone can thrive and be treated with dignity and respect. CILIP stands with trans people and will continue working to ensure they are as welcome as anyone else in library services, as staff and users.