Hundreds gather outside Glasgow office of Equalities and Human Rights Commission to protest anti-trans Supreme Court ruling

Hundreds of trans rights campaigners gathered outside the Glasgow office of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on 2 May to protest against the recent anti-trans Supreme Court ruling.

Backed financially by JK Rowling, who’s now known for spouting controversial posts on social media about the trans community, the gender critical campaign group For Women Scotland said the Equality Act’s definition of a woman was limited to people born biologically female.

Five judges from the UK supreme court agreed – ruling that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 does not include trans women who hold gender recognition certificates (GRCs).

This decision means trans women can no longer sit on public boards in places set aside for women.

It could have far wider ramifications by leading to much greater restrictions on the rights of trans women to use services and spaces reserved for women, and spark calls for the UK’s laws on gender recognition to be rewritten.

In the wake of the judgment, the equalities watchdog, the EHRC published interim guidance ahead of full advice that will be confirmed in the summer and will need the sign-off of UK Labour ministers.

The interim guidance states that trans men should not use men’s toilets and single-sex spaces and trans women should not use women’s toilets and single-sex spaces.

Dr Kirstie Ken English, who researches LGBTQ+ populations for University of Glasgow, said: “We see this ruling and the EHRC guidance as extremely harmful, impractical as well, and violates trans people’s right to privacy.

“It’s about trying to force trans people out of public spaces, trying to force us back into the closet, trying to force us not to exist. That’s why we’re here today.”

The protest in Glasgow, follows protests across the country, including in Brighton and London.

In a powerful display of solidarity, Brighton & Hove witnessed a large gathering at the Clock Tower on Saturday, April 19 as trans, non-binary, and intersex (TNBi) communities, alongside LGBTQ+ people and allies from across the spectrum, assembled for an emergency protest against the recent Supreme Court decision.

The demonstration drew together an impressive coalition of voices: local charities, choirs, sports groups, NHS representatives, disabled rights advocates, QTIPOC (Queer, Trans, Intersex People of Colour) activists, trans rights organisations, trade unions, community groups, and business leaders. All united in a passionate, vocal demonstration expressing deep concern over the ruling and showing unwavering solidarity with TNBi communities in the city.