Safety fears have been raised after it emerged that a Sunderland church is welcoming biological men into its women's toilets.
Critics have hit out at Sunderland Minster in Tyne and Wear, accusing the church of defying last year's landmark Supreme Court ruling, which clarified the definition of sex under the Equality Act.
The Church of England minster shared an image across its social media platforms of a sign outside its lavatories which reads: "All women are welcome to use these toilets."
The sign could be bearing the colours of the transgender flag.
In a now-deleted post, the minster said it had erected it in reaction to the Supreme Court's “narrow biological line on the definition of sex”.
It advised women who did not feel comfortable sharing the facilities with biological men to ask a member of clergy to accompany them in.
The minster is a member of the "Inclusive Church Network", a collection of churches which seeks "to raise awareness about the ways that people feel excluded by the church".
According to the organisation's website, it aims to "challenge patriarchal structures and biases that limit people’s authentic selves, nurturing equity and justice in churches", whilst also being "committed to visibility, affirmation, and advocacy for LGBTQI+ folk".
The Sunderland Minster said it had erected it in reaction to the Supreme Court's 'narrow biological line on the definition of sex'
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The sign has prompted Sex Matters chief executive Maya Forstater to accuse Sunderland Minster of "brazenly and foolishly encouraging people to break the law with this sign, and offering a patronising compromise to women who want the law upheld for the sake of privacy, dignity and safety".
She added: “Any woman using the facilities would likely have a case in claiming harassment against the Diocese of Durham, so this just seems like legal action waiting to happen.
“Instead of offering chaperones to women who don’t want to be confronted with men in the ladies’ toilets in accordance with the law, why not offer that service to trans-identifying males who may be uncomfortable using the men’s toilets?”
Labour laid out the ECHR draft code of practice to the House of Commons last week - with Parliament given a 40-day deadline to scrutinise it.
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Ms Maclaren (second to left) has long-been an advocate for transgender rights and frequently participated in marches
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Under the official guidance, biological men will be barred from women's toilets, changing facilities and sports teams.
Reverend Canon Clare Maclaren has defended the decision to put up the sign, insisting it did not fall foul of the law.
She said the guidance “was laid before Parliament on May 21, 2026, and will only come into effect 40 days later", and noted that the updated code "does not impose legal obligations" under the Equality Act 2010.
Ms MacLaren has long-been an advocate for transgender rights and frequently participated in marches.
Sunderland Minster was accused of violating canon law after sharing images of its altar covered by a Progress Pride flag
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Ahead of a rally last year, Trans Rights Sunderland wrote on social media: "We are proud to have Revd Canon Clare MacLaren, Canon Provost of Sunderland Minster joining us for the rally this Saturday 14th June.
"She’ll be speaking from her experience as a Christian priest, mother of an adult trans son, and community leader in Sunderland.”
Ms MacLaren has also declared her pro-migrant and anti-Brexit views on social media, alongside posting about her vegetarianism.
In February 2025, Sunderland Minster was accused of violating canon law after sharing images of its altar covered by a Progress Pride flag.
The act had previously been banned by Church of England courts, which ruled that it must be avoided due to the flag not being a Christian emblem.
Reverend Jacqui Tyoson shared an image of the flag draped over the church's altar, declaring she was "proud to serve in a church that is open to God and open to all".
In response to criticism of the toilet sign, Ms MacLaren said: "We believe that transgender men and women have as much right to privacy, dignity and safety as cis-gender men and women.
"The limited toilet facilities in our Grade II* listed building are difficult and costly to adapt, however they all have cubicles, as do any public toilets. The only shared space is for hand-washing.
"As a Church we take our safeguarding responsibilities to all vulnerable adults and children extremely seriously.
"Our transgender and gender non-binary worshippers and friends at the Minster are very vulnerable and fearful of abuse. I am sorry that some people feel that cis-gender women have anything to fear from them."
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