UK Virgin Active Sued Over Anti-Trans Changeroom Policy

A rights group is suing Virgin Active in the UK after the gym chain changed its previously inclusive policy and barred transgender gymgoers from using bathrooms and changing rooms aligned with their gender identity.

Virgin Active has historically positioned itself as a corporate LGBTQ+ ally. However, in August 2025, the company announced that gym members may only use a changing room, bathroom or facility “marked as ‘male’ or ‘female’” that “matches their biological sex”.

The company, which has 43 gyms in the UK, said it introduced the policy in response to the April 2025 UK Supreme Court ruling, which found that the legal definition of “woman” under the Equality Act does not include transgender women.

Virgin Active argued that the ruling “defines sex in biological terms” and is “legally binding on our business” — a troubling stance that other organisations have adopted.

Good Law Project Challenges Interpretation

The Good Law Project strongly disagrees with Virgin Active’s interpretation of the ruling. On 15 January 2026, the organisation announced that it is “suing the company over their transphobic bathroom ban”.

It said the policy change stems from a “misreading of the Supreme Court decision” and stressed that “the court never said that trans people can’t use an appropriate bathroom”.

The group is representing two Virgin Active members “who have been subject to discrimination solely because they are trans”.

Impact on Trans Gym Members

According to the Good Law Project, the two claimants cannot use facilities such as the gym pool and sauna because access requires passing through either the men’s or women’s changing rooms.

It added that “both claimants have been so worried about using the gym that they have either greatly reduced or completely stopped using some facilities for fear of being harassed”.

The lawsuit cites direct discrimination, indirect discrimination and harassment against both claimants on the grounds of gender reassignment.

‘A Shocking Failure’

“Virgin Active’s decision to abandon trans people is a shocking failure for a company that claims to be a proud supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. It’s time to hold them to account,” the group said.

Last year’s UK Supreme Court decision drew praise from anti-trans activists and condemnation from human rights groups and medical professionals.

The ruling has had a significant impact on trans people’s participation in public life, affecting organisations such as the Girl Guides and sporting bodies.

However, uncertainty remains around how the decision should be implemented, with the UK government yet to issue clear guidance.

South African Context and Ongoing Controversy

In South Africa, Virgin Active’s policy on bathroom and changing room access has also proved controversial, with the gym chain facing considerable backlash from transphobes on social media.

In April 2024, the company confirmed that trans individuals may use changing rooms aligned with their gender identity, but under certain restrictions.

Only those who have undergone medical transition, as defined by Home Affairs, and legally changed their gender marker — with aligned identity documents — may access gendered facilities corresponding to their gender identity.

Critics have pointed out that this policy disadvantages transgender people who face a lengthy, often years-long and bureaucratic process to change their gender markers. It also fails to make provision for non-binary individuals, as the government’s proposed “X” gender marker has yet to be implemented.