Latest news with #KateHarris
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Commons forced to apologise after allowing a transgender woman to use female-only toilets despite Supreme Court ruling
The House of Commons has been forced to apologise after allowing a transgender woman to use female-only toilets despite the recent Supreme Court ruling that protects single-sex spaces. Robin Moira White, a trans barrister who is a biological male, was directed to use the ladies' loos in Portcullis House last week after attending a meeting of the women and equalities committee in which the landmark judgment was discussed. White, 61, said parliamentary employees had been told that swift access to the lavatories was required because of a health condition. But the barrister, who was shown to the closest ones to the Thatcher Room, where the committee had met, was challenged outside the facilities by women's rights campaigners, Kate Harris and Heather Binning, who had attended the same hearing. Harris said that a staff member told her 'We don't do that here' in reference to excluding trans women from female loos. She added: 'We were in the mother of all parliaments, and it was not adhering to the law. It was not the fault of staff, who clearly have not been trained in how to deal with these issues.' White accused the two women of 'embarrassing' behaviour and 'shouting' during the confrontation, a claim Harris has denied. She said: 'They rather rudely started to cross-examine me about what my intentions were, and what I was going to do. I had to go [to use the lavatory] so went to use the facilities and they continued shouting [while I was inside].' Just before the confrontation, the committee had heard evidence from Baroness Falkner, the chair of the equality watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), about the Supreme Court ruling. In April judges ruled that the legal definition of a woman should be based on biological sex. In an email sent to Harris and Binning on Thursday afternoon, a senior staff member in the House of Commons wrote: 'We acknowledge that it is likely the individual you complained about should have not been directed to the female facilities and we apologise for that.'
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
House of Commons apologises after trans barrister used women's lavatory
The House of Commons has apologised after allowing a trans woman to use female-only lavatories. Robin Moira White, a trans barrister who is a biological male, was told to use the ladies' lavatories in Portcullis House last week before being questioned outside by two women's rights campaigners. It follows a Supreme Court ruling in April that trans women are not women under the Equality Act. The judgment led to the Government saying trans women should use lavatories according to their biological sex. Ms White, who was at Portcullis House to attend a women and equalities committee in which the Supreme Court judgment was discussed, was challenged outside the lavatories by campaigners Kate Harris and Heather Binning. Ms Harris, the co-founder and trustee of the LGB Alliance advocacy group, told The Times: 'We were in the mother of all parliaments and it was not adhering to the law. It was not the fault of staff, who clearly have not been trained in how to deal with these issues.' Commons apologised in email The Commons apologised to Ms Harris and Ms Binning in an email seen by The Times. 'You noted that an individual, understood to be biologically male, had seemingly been directed to the female facilities,' the email said. 'At this point you made it clear that you were uncomfortable, left the facilities, and reported the matter to members of my team. 'We acknowledge that it is likely the individual you complained about should have not been directed to the female facilities and we apologise for that.' The email also drew attention to the parliamentary code of conduct which provides 'clear guidelines as to how we expect all users of the parliamentary [estate] to interact with each other'. The incident raises questions around how the Government is implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court, and whether women's spaces are being actively protected. Authorities 'reviewing facilities' A House of Commons spokesman told The Telegraph: 'We continue to act in full compliance with the law as set out in the Supreme Court's judgment and we remain committed to treating all those who work in or visit Parliament with respect, providing support to colleagues where needed. 'Like many organisations, we are awaiting full guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on this issue and are reviewing the facilities that are available on the estate.' Following the Supreme Court ruling, the EHRC told employers, pubs, shops and hospitals that they must all act in line with the Supreme Court ruling and that women-only spaces such as lavatories should be protected. The EHRC said: 'In workplaces and services that are open to the public, trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities and trans men (biological women) should not be permitted to use the men's facilities, as this will mean that they are no longer single-sex facilities and must be open to all users of the opposite sex.'
CTV News
31-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘For the Love of Kate': Runway ride shines light on mental health in memory of Londoner
Kate Harris is seen in this undated photo (Source: For The Love of Kate I Ride) Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide. Take care when reading. The first ever 'Ride the Runway for Mental Health' event was held at London International Airport in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). The family-friendly event was put together by Doug Harris and his family in honour of his late daughter Kate, who died by suicide after struggling with mental health for years. 'My daughter Kate was a beautiful, bubbly, 32-year-old member of the Canadian Armed Forces stationed in Halifax. On the surface, nobody would have imagined that she was suffering internally with mental health issues,' said Kate's father, Doug Harris. 053125_For The Love of Kate I Ride the runway London airport Classic cars on display at the Ride the Runway event at London International Airport, May 31, 2025 (Reta Ismail/CTV News London) Dozens of people gathered to take part, by riding their bikes, walking, or running around a section of the runway at the London International Airport near the Jet Aircraft Museum. Several classic cars were also showcased on the runway. 'Events like this are so important, because in addition to the money raised, it also spreads more awareness of the types of help that are available to people,' said Kelly Morgan, Events Manager & Communications at CMHA. Since her passing in 2016, Kate's family has been active in spreading awareness and raising funds for mental health. In 2019, Kate's father Doug cycled over 2,200 kms from London, Ontario (Kate's birthplace) to Halifax, NS (where Kate lived and died), raising over $25,000 in support of London Ontario's St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation. 'We didn't want her death to be in vain, we wanted to help other people. She helped other people, she just couldn't get the help herself,' said Brenda Harris. 053125_For The Love of Kate I Ride the runway London airport A poster for 'Ride the Runway' in London Ont., May 31, 2025 (Source: For The Love of Kate I Ride) Kate's brother, Will Harris says it's important to shine a light on mental health and end the stigma. 'My sister and I were very close. And, we had spoken at length when she was still around about her struggles, which, by her own words, started when she was about age seven,' continued Will. 'To to be here with family and friends in the community in support of, raising some money for the, well, it's the very least that we can do to honor her memory.' Learn more and donate here: For The Love of Kate I Ride 053125_For The Love of Kate I Ride the runway London airport Classic cars on display at the Ride the Runway event at London International Airport, May 31, 2025 (Reta Ismail/CTV News London) If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources that are available. Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline (1-833-456-4566) Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (1 800 463-2338) Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645) Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) If you need immediate assistance call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stanley Consultants wins four additional 2025 Top Workplaces Awards
Stanley Consultants has been named a Top Workplace by and earned three Top Workplace Culture Excellence Awards from Energage. BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Stanley Consultants has been named a Top Workplace by and earned three Top Workplace Culture Excellence Awards from Energage. Stanley ranked seventh among large companies on inaugural list, which celebrates companies who create a positive, innovative and supportive work environment for engineers. The large companies category recognizes those with at least 500 employees worldwide. Building off its USA Today Top Workplaces designation last month, Stanley also won three distinct Culture Excellence awards in the areas of work-life flexibility, compensation and benefits, and purpose and values. The Work-Life Flexibility Award celebrates organizations who provide their employees with options in how and where they work. The Compensation and Benefits Award highlights companies who go above and beyond in employee appreciation and compensation packages. The Purpose and Values Award recognizes organizations who embed their mission and values intricately into their culture and efficiently bring these into reality. Led by Energage, the Top Workplaces program has a nearly 20-year history of surveying 27 million employees across more than 70,000 organizations. Survey results are based on confidential feedback from a research-backed employee engagement survey. "Winning these Top Workplaces awards is a testament to the incredible people we have at the heart of this organization," said Kate Harris, Stanley President, CEO and Chair. "We believe that success begins with a people-first approach, empowering our team, fostering a culture of collaboration and constantly innovating together. This recognition fuels our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone can make a lasting impact on our organization, our communities, and our clients." ABOUT STANLEY CONSULTANTS Improving Lives Since 1913. Stanley Consultants has been helping clients solve essential and complex energy and infrastructure challenges for over 110 years, successfully completing more than 50,000 engagements in 120 countries and all 50 states and U.S. territories. Values-based and purpose-driven, Stanley is an employee-owned company of engineers, scientists, technologists, innovators and client-service experts who are recognized for their commitment and passion to make a difference. For more information on Stanley Consultants, please visit Media Contact Heather Yount, Stanley Consultants, 7142874213, yountheather@ View original content: SOURCE Stanley Consultants
