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UK Supreme Court Redefines 'Woman,' Prompting Policy Overhauls

The ruling excludes transgender women from single-sex protections under the Equality Act 2010, leading to policy shifts and legal debates across public bodies.

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Protests will be held against a court ruling saying transgender women aren't legally women. (Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images) Source: AFP

Overview

  • The UK Supreme Court ruled that 'woman' in the Equality Act 2010 refers strictly to biological sex, excluding transgender women with Gender Recognition Certificates from single-sex protections.
  • British Transport Police introduced an interim policy requiring detainees to be strip-searched based on their birth sex, with further policy reviews underway.
  • The Equality and Human Rights Commission announced plans to issue updated statutory guidance by summer to align with the court's decision.
  • Scottish ministers requested urgent talks with the UK Government to address the judgment's implications, while Police Scotland and other public bodies began reviewing their policies.
  • Trans advocates warn the ruling could lead to increased hate crimes, mental health challenges, and enforcement difficulties, while former Justice Lord Sumption argued the decision allows but does not mandate excluding trans women from single-sex spaces.