“We hear your anxiety and distress.” Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, publishes statement following Supreme Court’s anti-trans gender ruling

Councillor Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, has published a statement after anti-trans rights activists won their JK Rowling-funded Supreme Court challenge over the definition of a woman, which will affect the lives of trans women across the UK.

Backed financially by the Harry Potter author, 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.

Councillor Sankey said: “The recent Supreme Court judgment may have clarified the interpretation of wording in the Equality Act but it has caused confusion and deep anxiety about the provision of services for trans people.

“I want to make clear to our trans, intersex and non-binary residents that we hear your anxiety and distress and that many aspects of daily life and routine have now been thrown into uncertainty.

“The Supreme Court judgment made clear that the Equality Act protects trans people from discrimination and harassment and this principle must be upheld as the government considers the judgment and its next steps.

“As drafted, the update provided by the Equality and Human Rights Commission would seem to create serious difficulties for trans people and their ability to access services and live with dignity.

“Brighton & Hove City Council will fully participate in the consultation on the full guidance when published to ensure that the protections of the Equality Act endorsed by the Supreme Court are properly upheld.”