It is important to know what legal rights you have in order to avoid discrimination based on your gender identity.

Some of the relevant legislatures are:

• The Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999 which makes it illegal for anyone to discriminate against or harass someone who is trans* (including those intending to have, are having or have had gender reassignment) while at work, vocational training or university.

• Sex Discrimination (Amendment of Legislation) Regulations 2008 which provides the same protection as the above but also in the supply of goods, facilities and services (such as in being provided retail, health care, education, leisure centres, hotels and public transport).

• The Gender Recognition Act 2005 which allows trans* people to be able to apply to have their birth certificate changed so that it matches the acquired gender on their passport, driving license, etc. It also makes it illegal for any previous gender history to be disclosed by an employer, etc.
• The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009 which provides further protection from any crime where transphobia was also a part.

• The Equality Act 2010 which extends the protections of previous legislature as well as slightly extending the definition of gender reassignment to include trans* people who do not have medical treatment as long they intend to or have already transitioned gender. It also stops the use of pre-employment healthcare questionnaires so that prospective employers cannot ask whether someone are taking medication, etc. It also provides protection against discrimination from private members’ clubs and bans discrimination in schools on the ground of gender reassignment. It also includes protection from discrimination for those who are HIV+.