Overview

• The UK Supreme Court ruled that under the Equality Act 2010, the legal definition of 'woman' is based solely on biological sex, excluding trans women from single-sex protections.
• The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has suggested creating neutral 'third spaces' like unisex bathrooms and changing rooms for trans individuals.
• Scottish First Minister John Swinney and UK Conservative minister Kemi Badenoch have publicly endorsed the ruling, while trans-inclusive groups and LGBTQ+ advocates have condemned it as a setback for equality.
• The decision has deepened divisions within the feminist movement, with trans-exclusionary groups celebrating it and trans-inclusive groups warning of its broader social and political repercussions.
• Health Minister Karin Smyth has faced criticism for failing to clarify how trans individuals should navigate single-sex spaces following the ruling.