News and Events => Bathroom News => Topic started by: Jessica_Rose on February 16, 2026, 11:13:27 AM Return to Full Version
Title: In “Incoherent” Ruling... Trans Women Can Use Women’s Restrooms Except at Work
Post by: Jessica_Rose on February 16, 2026, 11:13:27 AM
Post by: Jessica_Rose on February 16, 2026, 11:13:27 AM
In "Incoherent" Ruling, U.K. Court Says Trans Women Can Use Women's Restrooms Except at Work
https://www.them.us/story/uk-supreme-court-bathroom-ruling-trans-rights-workplaces
Abby Monteil (13 Feb 2026)
The U.K. High Court ruled on Friday, February 13, that transgender women are lawfully permitted to use public women's restrooms, except at work.
The Court was responding to the political nonprofit the Good Law Project, which had previously disputed the U.K. Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC's) guidance on the U.K. Supreme Court's April 2025 ruling declaring that a person's legal "sex" refers only to their "biological" sex as assigned at birth. Based on that judgment, the EHRC recommended that public-facing services and workplaces require trans people to use facilities based on their "biological sex."
In its February 13 decision, the Court stated that service providers may, in fact, allow trans women to use women's restrooms without also being legally required to open these facilities to cis men. As The Good Law Project put it in a news release, "In short, the law does not require a bathroom ban."
Instead, a High Court judge wrote that public service providers should be "guided by common sense and benevolence" rather than be "blinkered by unyielding ideologies" when it comes to providing restroom access.
But the Court also maintained that the EHRC's guidance was not unlawful, and upheld that workplaces must designate bathrooms based on "biological sex." Meanwhile, it argued that requiring trans employees to use a third restroom facility as a result would "rarely" be considered discriminatory.
https://www.them.us/story/uk-supreme-court-bathroom-ruling-trans-rights-workplaces
Abby Monteil (13 Feb 2026)
The U.K. High Court ruled on Friday, February 13, that transgender women are lawfully permitted to use public women's restrooms, except at work.
The Court was responding to the political nonprofit the Good Law Project, which had previously disputed the U.K. Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC's) guidance on the U.K. Supreme Court's April 2025 ruling declaring that a person's legal "sex" refers only to their "biological" sex as assigned at birth. Based on that judgment, the EHRC recommended that public-facing services and workplaces require trans people to use facilities based on their "biological sex."
In its February 13 decision, the Court stated that service providers may, in fact, allow trans women to use women's restrooms without also being legally required to open these facilities to cis men. As The Good Law Project put it in a news release, "In short, the law does not require a bathroom ban."
Instead, a High Court judge wrote that public service providers should be "guided by common sense and benevolence" rather than be "blinkered by unyielding ideologies" when it comes to providing restroom access.
But the Court also maintained that the EHRC's guidance was not unlawful, and upheld that workplaces must designate bathrooms based on "biological sex." Meanwhile, it argued that requiring trans employees to use a third restroom facility as a result would "rarely" be considered discriminatory.
Title: Re: In “Incoherent” Ruling... Trans Women Can Use Women’s Restrooms Except at Work
Post by: Stottie Girl on February 16, 2026, 02:29:55 PM
Post by: Stottie Girl on February 16, 2026, 02:29:55 PM
Well that little nugget managed to slip by most of the mainstream UK media! whether by design or by accident I'm not sure. The fightback begins! Great to have something going in the other direction for a change even if it's just a small win.
I would say though that the judge is wrong, it is absolutely discriminitary to forcing trans staff members to use a trans bathroom as it could out people who did not want to be outed or alternatively if having to use disabled facilities (which is more likely) resulting in trans people being viewed as disabled.
Also, the the trouble is, unless it's highly publicised it won't stop the public getting riled in the public bathrooms.
UK law often throws up bizare technicalities like this. Crazy system at times.
I would say though that the judge is wrong, it is absolutely discriminitary to forcing trans staff members to use a trans bathroom as it could out people who did not want to be outed or alternatively if having to use disabled facilities (which is more likely) resulting in trans people being viewed as disabled.
Also, the the trouble is, unless it's highly publicised it won't stop the public getting riled in the public bathrooms.
UK law often throws up bizare technicalities like this. Crazy system at times.
Title: Re: In “Incoherent” Ruling... Trans Women Can Use Women’s Restrooms Except at Work
Post by: Athena on February 16, 2026, 02:45:22 PM
Post by: Athena on February 16, 2026, 02:45:22 PM
As someone who is reluctant to visit the U.K. this gives me hope. I've often wanted to visit the U.K. in the past but recently I have concerns.