09/12/2025
🚨 Important Update for Door Supervisors – What the Supreme Court Ruling Means for Searches 🚨
Following the UK Supreme Court decision, the Equality Act now defines “man” and “woman” strictly by biological s*x at birth.
This has raised a few questions from door supervisors!
👉 what this means for hands on body searching and single-s*x procedures:
👩 an individual who identifies as female is searched by a female where possible
👨 an individual who identifies as male is searched by a male where possible
🙅🏼♂️ an individual who identifies as non binary is offered to be searched by either male or female staff where possible
⁉️ No alternative staff available? Offer a self-search or use tools like wands, bag checks, metal detectors, follow your searching training!
✔ Always treat the person with dignity
✔ Never embarrass, challenge, or invalidate anyone’s identity
✔ Offer privacy and clear communication
✔ You may offer a choice of male or female searcher where possible
✔ Remember that not everyone needs to be searched hands on unless stated in your venue policy, remeber self searches, use of searching equipment
✔ Remember that trans people remain protected by “gender reassignment” rights
Our job is to follow the law and carry out searches in a way that is respectful, safe, and compliant.
