A campaign group called Freedom in the Arts (FITA) has threatened to sue the University of Leicester in the UK over its “Trans-Inclusive Culture” guidelines for museums and galleries, demanding their removal. The guidelines, published two years ago by the university’s Research Center for Museums and Galleries (RCMG), aim to help cultural institutions create inclusive spaces for transgender people. FITA, co-founded by choreographer Rosie Kay and former Arts Council England staffer Denise Fahmy, argues the guidance misrepresents the legal definition of “sex” under the Equality Act 2010, following a UK Supreme Court ruling that “woman” and “sex” refer only to biological women and biological sex. The group claims the guidelines could encourage unlawful policies, such as allowing toilet access based on gender identity, and discriminate against staff with gender-critical beliefs.
This dispute matters because it highlights a growing legal and cultural clash in the UK arts sector over transgender inclusion. The RCMG guidelines are backed by 22 cultural and heritage groups, including ICOM UK and the Association of Independent Museums, and thousands of arts workers have signed an open letter defending trans rights. However, FITA’s legal threat and its survey showing that 84% of arts workers fear expressing views on sex and gender reflect deep polarization. The outcome could set a precedent for how museums and galleries navigate equality law, trans inclusion, and freedom of speech, affecting policies at institutions across the UK.