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Written question asked by Kate Osborne (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 April 2026. It was answered by Stephanie Peacock (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Rugby: LGBT+ People

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what engagement the Government Equalities Office has had with rugby governing bodies regarding their inclusion policies for transgender and non-binary players.

Answer

Sport must be open to everyone. There is absolutely no place for homophobia, or discrimination of any kind, in sport or society.

The Government expects sports bodies, including rugby governing bodies, to take robust action to tackle discrimination whenever and wherever it occurs. The Government will continue to work with National Governing Bodies and sector organisations to fight all forms of discrimination at all levels of sport.

Through the Sports Council’s Equality Group, UK Sport and Sport England provide guidance on transgender inclusion in domestic sport to our National Governing Bodies. It makes clear that inclusion, fairness, and safety cannot always be balanced in gender-affected sport.

Under the UK Sport and Sport England Code for Sports Governance, National Governing Bodies at Tier 3 are required to publish and maintain a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to receive public funding. This framework serves as the accountability mechanism to demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
129197
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Transgender people Rugby (sport) Non-binary people
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk