Overview

• The UK Supreme Court's April 16 ruling established that 'woman' and 'sex' under the Equality Act 2010 refer exclusively to biological sex, sparking widespread institutional and societal responses.
• The Equality and Human Rights Commission issued interim guidance restricting transgender individuals' access to single-sex spaces, but its implementation has been inconsistent across sectors.
• Protests have erupted nationwide, with activists condemning the ruling as harmful and confusing; some public institutions and unions have resisted the guidance, citing its impracticality.
• Legal challenges are underway, including a case by Britain’s first transgender judge appealing to the European Court of Human Rights, while some individuals have sought asylum abroad in response to the changes.
• Key policy shifts include the Football Association banning transgender women from women’s soccer starting next month and British Transport Police updating protocols for transgender detainees.