Scottish Government Faces Backlash Over Trans Rights and Single-Sex Spaces Debate

An employment tribunal involving a nurse and a transgender doctor has reignited tensions over gender self-ID policies and women's rights in Scotland.

Nurse Sandie Peggie has brought an employment tribunal against NHS Fife after being suspended for objecting to sharing a women's changing room with a transgender doctor, Dr. Beth Upton.
Scotland's Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has publicly supported single-sex spaces, calling them essential for protecting women, marking a departure from the SNP's broader stance on self-ID policies.
First Minister John Swinney defended the SNP's position, citing the Equality Act but faced criticism for avoiding direct commentary on the tribunal and accusations of sowing division.
Critics, including opposition leaders and campaigners, argue that the SNP's self-ID policies conflict with workplace regulations requiring separate facilities for men and women.
The tribunal has been adjourned until July, with the case continuing to fuel broader debates on the balance between trans rights and women's rights in public spaces.