Lisa Nandy voices support for trans women competing in SOME women’s sports

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP has voiced support for trans women competing in some women’s sports. Her comments, made during a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference, come amid ongoing debate following a Supreme Court ruling that legally defines a woman as a “biological female”.

Nandy, who was photographed wearing a 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt at a Pride event in Wigan in August, stated there are “some sports where it’s perfectly possible to include everybody and still meet those principles.”

“We’re going to be led by the sporting bodies in this,” Nandy said, “but we want to make sure that they’re as inclusive as possible, while understanding there are limits to how possible that is in some sports.”

Nandy’s approach contrasts with recent decisions by organisations such as the Football Association, England Netball and the England and Wales Cricket Board, which have moved to exclude trans women from female categories following the court ruling.

Her comments also signal a shift in tone from previous government positions, suggesting a more empathetic and evidence-based approach to trans participation in sport. “We need to put as much energy and ambition into competitions that the trans community can participate in fully as we do into all of the others,” she added.

While Nandy has affirmed that “trans women are women and trans men are men”, she did not publicly oppose the recent ruling that defines “woman” as “biological female” under the Equality Act, nor did she challenge Labour’s subsequent restrictions on all-women shortlists and officer roles.