14 JANUARY 2016

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Our recent report Sex and Equality 2016: State of the Nation reveals that almost half (44%) of the UK population now believe that gender is not binary but can be expressed as a range of identities. In a poll of 8,000 people, carried out by Survation for Fawcett’s 150^th anniversary year, we asked people their thoughts on whether gender identity is confined to two genders – male and female (gender binary) or whether gender is more fluid, encompassing a range of identities.

Women and those aged 18-34 are most likely to think that gender is fluid with almost half (48%) of women agreeing that gender is a range of identities as opposed to 40% of men and 50% of 18-34 year olds believe that, whilst only 39% of those over 55 do.

CEO Sam Smethers said:

“The Fawcett Society is campaigning against harmful gender norms and stereotypes which close down choices and options for children, young people and throughout our adult lives.

When almost half of people think that we should not be confined to narrow categories of ‘male’ and ‘female’ then it’s time to stop relying on outdated gender stereotypes.”

In December, Fawcett got behind the Let Toys be Toys campaign to call out gender stereotyped toys, and it seems evident now there is a huge shift away from the public wanting these.

Read the full press release here. The full report will be available from Friday 15th January.