A mother-of-two is taking legal action against Bracknell Forest Council after they removed female-only toilets from their office in favour of gender-neutral facilities.
Sarah Holman, 56, quit her position at the council after 12 years of service when her complaints about the changes were dismissed.
Holman claims she was “hounded out” of her job after raising concerns with HR and management about the removal of single-sex facilities.
She believes the council has prioritised trans rights over women’s rights.
A mother-of-two is taking legal action against Bracknell Forest Council after they removed female-only toilets from their office in favour of gender-neutral facilities
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Holman told MailOnline: “I don’t think it’s right. For privacy and dignity reasons, I don’t want to share a toilet with a man.”
She revealed she had previously experienced a sexual assault in a toilet, which affected her mental health.
“I had a miscarriage in a women’s toilet. The majority of women need to spend more time in toilets based on our biology,” she said.
She was particularly outraged when the council suggested gender-neutral toilets posed no risk, comparing them to lifts and meeting rooms.
Holman raised her concerns formally with the council’s HR department, explaining the importance of single-sex facilities for women.
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Despite sharing her personal experiences and concerns, she said the council leadership was firm that the policy would not be reconsidered.
The situation led her to work from home for several months.
She eventually felt her position had become untenable, leading to her departure from the role she described as one she “really enjoyed”.
“I don’t think I will get another job at a local authority,” she added.
Holman has raised thousands of pounds to fund her employment tribunal case against the council.
Bracknell Forest Council’s chief executive Susan Halliwell said: “We are unable to comment on individual cases. However, the council is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive work environment for all our staff.”
The council said it has “robust policies” to promote equality and diversity.
“We continuously review and improve our practices to ensure every employee feels valued and supported,” Halliwell added.
Holman said that her legal action is about equal treatment rather than discrimination against any group.
Sarah Holman, 56, quit her position at the council after 12 years of service when her complaints about the changes were dismissed
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“This is not about being anti anybody, it’s about treating everyone equally,” she stated.
She believes similar situations are occurring nationwide, saying: “This is happening up and down the country.”
Holman also criticised the council for “excessively promoting controversial gender ideology” while not celebrating other protected characteristics to the same extent.