Labour equalities minister Bridget Phillipson welcomes last week’s Supreme Court ruling on gender recognition

Labour equalities minister Bridget Phillipson has said she welcomes last week’s Supreme Court ruling on gender recognition, which will affect the lives of trans communities across the UK.

While some MPs have expressed concern with the ruling, Phillipson, said: “Before I was an MP I managed a women’s refuge, so I know more than most how important it is that women, especially those who have experienced male violence, sexual violence and trauma, are able to access safe therapeutic spaces, and alongside that, that we make sure that everyone in our society is treated with dignity and respect,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Asked about differing opinions within Labour towards the ruling, Phillipson said: “I speak for the government on this matter, and I can be crystal clear with you that we welcome the ruling.”

Pushed on the specifics of what toilet a trans woman would be required to use from now on, Phillipson confirmed that if only single-sex facilities were available it would need to be the male toilet – but said it was important that “everyone has the ability to access services that are safe and appropriate and respect their privacy and dignity”.

She added: “Of course, where it comes to provisions such as changing facilities, hospital facilities and others, there needs to be appropriate and available services there for all people, including trans people.”

In terms of toilets, Phillipson said, many places provided unisex or self-contained facilities, saying these could be used by trans people.

Protests took place the breadth of the UK at the weekend, with Brighton & Hove coming together in solidarity on Saturday, April 19.

Most of the marches passed off peacefully but Phillipson told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that she condemned some scenes in London where statues were targeted, and some placards reportedly made threats of violence against opponents.

“What we have seen in recent days, where it comes to defacing of statues, some pretty terrible placards that have been displayed in protests around the country, it really is just completely unacceptable,” she said.