About GATE

On Tuesday 2nd December 2025, Girlguiding announced that trans girls and young women would no longer be allowed to join the organisation in the UK. Many people were hurt by this and felt angry, betrayed and more. Out of this response, GATE was created and a community was born. 

So what actually is GATE?

Well, Guiders Against Trans Exclusion, or GATE for short, is an unaffiliated association made up of people involved with Girlguiding who don’t agree with their decision to exclude trans girls. We are a collective of members, volunteers, parents and allies who want to make it clear that trans girls belong in Girlguiding and that this decision was wrong.

We are not a sub-group within Girlguiding, nor are we governed by them, though we ask members to remember the Girlguiding code of conduct, promise and laws when interacting with others to keep things friendly. As many members are still volunteering for Girlguiding, we are using their digital safeguarding policy as guidance and as such, are a strictly 18+ organisation, to protect both young people and our members. We are working on ways to support younger members while ensuring there is adequate safeguarding. One of the ways they can stay involved is reading what we’re up to here on this blog! They can also follow us on social media. 

It is clear that Girlguiding made this decision in response to legal pressure; however, we still believe that it was the wrong decision to make and that we must stand up and speak out against this injustice. 

Our mission statement is comprised of 3 parts:

1. Making it clear to Girlguiding in the strongest possible terms that members do not agree with this policy and urging them to reverse this decision

2. Vocally and publicly demonstrating our support for our trans members and the wider trans community 

3. Demonstrating to the government, other organisations and the wider public that trans exclusionary policies are not wanted, needed or accepted, and cannot be instituted without consequence

It is with these motivations and our love for Girlguiding that we take action to protest and campaign against the harmful decision. 

Follow Us

You can find out more about what we have been up to already and what else is planned by following us on social media: on Instagram @guidersagainsttransexclusion, on TikTok @guidingforall, on YouTube @GuidersAgainstTransExclusion, and on Facebook we have a  Guiders Against Trans Exclusion - GATE page and private group, so there are lots of ways to stay up to date! You can also sign up for newsletters at the bottom of any page on this website.

Why are we needed?

In response to Girlguiding’s decision, many people are scared and uncertain, feeling like they’ve been suddenly shut out of their home and have lost their sense of belonging. Through GATE’s actions, we have made people feel safe and welcome once again, even if it looks a little different. Many of our members are trans, including people who are nonbinary, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender and more, and we want to make sure these people are protected as Girlguiding moves forward. Volunteers are already being bullied out of roles and leadership opportunities, which goes against safeguarding and current policy. This is unacceptable, and we fear that the decision will only allow and encourage transphobic behaviour within Girlguiding, which is the opposite of what it should be. GATE is a space for these people to belong and to find support, and we have had multiple testimonies of people grateful to have this community.

We’re incredibly proud of the community we have been able to create in such a short space of time, which demonstrates the strength of feeling within the Girlguiding membership. Inclusion is a core part of the organisation and a key element of our Safer Guiding training. There are six Girlguiding programme themes, including Know Myself, Express Myself and Take Action. GATE members are taking what Girlguiding has taught us and putting it to good use, standing up for what we believe in and what is right. Trans girls are girls, and they belong in Girlguiding just as much as any other girl. 

Any instances of exclusionary behaviour should be reported to safeguarding@girlguiding.org.uk, no matter what level it occurs at; commissioners have NOT been told to remove anyone. 

What is next?

We are determined to overturn this decision, no matter how long it takes. We will be petitioning the government as well as Girlguiding as there is a clear lack of legal clarity or guidance, and we have letter templates for people to send to their MPs, including devolved parliaments. We will be using this website as well as social media to share resources and campaigns as we move towards this goal. 

A Guide is a good friend and a sister to all Guides, and that includes our trans sisters. Make a promise, keep a promise. Thank you for being here and for standing up for what is right.