LGBTQ+ rights organisations express “shock and disappointment” after anti-trans rights activists won JK Rowling-funded Supreme Court challenge over definition of a woman

LGBTQ+ rights organisations, including Stonewall and Scottish Trans, have expressed “shock and disappointment” after anti-trans rights activists won their Supreme Court challenge over the definition of a woman, which could affect the lives of trans women across the UK.

Stonewall CEO, Simon Blake OBE, said: “Stonewall shares the deep concern at the widespread implications for today’s ruling from the Supreme Court. It will be incredibly worrying for the trans community and all of us who support them.

“It’s important to be reminded the Court strongly and clearly re-affirmed the Equality Act protects all trans people against discrimination, based on Gender Reassignment, and will continue to do so.

“Once we read and fully digest the judgement, we will work with stakeholders across all sectors to provide as much clarity as possible.

“Stonewall will continue its work with the Government and parliamentarians to achieve equal rights under the law for LGBTQ+ people.”

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.

Scottish Trans, part of the Equality Network, said it is shocked and disappointed with the decision. Vic Valentine, Manager of the trans rights charity, said: “We are really shocked by today’s Supreme Court decision – which reverses 20 years of understanding on how the law recognises trans men and women with Gender Recognition Certificates.

“The judgement seems to have totally missed what matters to trans people – that we are able to live our lives, and be recognised, in line with who we truly are.

“Trans people need to be able to recover on hospital wards, use toilets, go swimming and access services just like anyone else. This judgement seems to suggest that there will be times where trans people can be excluded from both men’s and women’s spaces and services.

“It is hard to understand where we would then be expected to go – or how this decision is compatible with a society that is fair and equal for everybody.

“We will continue working for a world in which trans people can get on with our lives with privacy, dignity and safety. That is something that we all deserve.”