Almost half (44%) of the UK population now believe that gender is not binary but can be expressed as a range of identities – according to a poll of 8,000 people.

The survey, carried out by Survation (1) for the Fawcett Society for their 150th anniversary year, asked people their thoughts on whether gender identity is confined to two genders – male and female (gender binary) or whether gender is more fluid, encompassing a range of identities.

Women and those aged 18-34 are most likely to think that gender is fluid with almost half (48%) of women agreeing that gender is a range of identities as opposed to 40% of men and 50% of 18-34 year olds believe that whilst only 39% of those over 55 do.

Sam Smethers, Chief Executive said:

“The Fawcett Society is campaigning against harmful gender norms and stereotypes which close down choices and options for children, young people and throughout our adult lives.

“When almost half of people think that we should not be confined to narrow categories of ‘male’ and ‘female’ then it’s time to stop relying on outdated gender stereotypes.

“Retailers are particularly guilty of needlessly marketing products as being ‘for women’ or ‘for men’ especially children’s products as we’ve seen with the Let Toys Be Toys campaign. This research shows that they need to wake up to the reality of public opinion. People do not want to be ‘boxed in’.

Commenting on transgender issues Sam Smethers said:

“The profile of transgender issues has risen significantly in recent years with high profile transwomen such as Kellie Maloney and Caitlyn Jenner talking publicly about their experiences of gender transition. But we also had prominent feminists such as Germaine Greer speaking out against the fluidity of gender denying people the right to define as a gender different from that in which they were born. Significantly, our report shows that this is a minority view amongst feminists, with 68% of this group agreeing that gender can be a range of identities.

Ms Smethers continues:

“The Fawcett Society’s vision is of a society in which the choices you can make and the control you have over your life are no longer determined by your gender, a vision that is deliberately inclusive of transwomen. Fawcett will remain a campaigning force for women’s rights and gender equality. That is not undermined by us being inclusive of transwomen.

Commenting on access to services Sam Smethers said:

“Fawcett supports the legal position set out in the Equality Act (2010) which establishes gender reassignment as a protected characteristic but creates an exception for women only services, for example allowing them to refuse a male to female trans person access to a session for women who are victims of sexual assault, if that can be objectively justified and proportionate. It is about balancing rights and recognising the needs of every service user.”