The UK Supreme Court recently decided unanimously that a woman is biologically born female. This decision now means that transgender women are no longer included in the legal definition of a woman.
As per the U.K. Equality Act, the highest court’s five judges stated that transgender women can be barred from certain single-sex environments and organizations. These places and groups comprise changing rooms, homeless shelters, swimming facilities, and specific medical or counseling services intended for women only.
This ruling clarifies that individuals who are transgender and possess official recognition as female are not to be regarded as women for matters relating to equality.
But Justice Patrick Hodge said its ruling “does not remove protection from trans people,” who are “protected from discrimination on the ground of gender reassignment.”
Hannah Ford, an employment lawyer, said that while the judgment will provide clarity on the controversial issue in the U.K., it would be a setback for transgender rights and there would be “an uphill battle” to ensure workplaces are welcoming places for trans people.
“This will be really wounding for the trans community,” Ford told Sky News.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
