The UK Supreme Court has ruled that the Equality Act 2010 does not include transgender women as women, even if they have gender recognition certificates.
The court ruled the word “woman” in UK law refers to biological sex, not gender identity.
Defeat for Scottish Government
The decision bars transgender women from public boards designated for women, leading to broader restrictions on their access to women’s services.
The court’s decision has prompted calls for the UK to revise gender recognition laws.
Financial backing
Women Scotland, founded in June 2018, emerged due to concerns over women’s rights amid proposed reforms by the Scottish Government to the Gender Recognition Act.
JK Rowling, known for her views on transgender women, helped fund the group.
Wider implications
The attack on diversity, equality and inclusion in the US, and the subsequent financial implications for institutions such as Harvard University, underlie a shift to a more conservative ethos.
For some the combined impact of religious beliefs and wealth poses a challenge to democracy.
We will watch and report how this manifests itself in the UK.
