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News and Events => Political and Legal News => Topic started by: Jessica_Rose on April 17, 2025, 09:19:11 AM

Title: (UK) What 'woman' definition means for trans women's rights...
Post by: Jessica_Rose on April 17, 2025, 09:19:11 AM
What 'woman' definition means for trans women's rights in toilets and changing rooms

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/what-woman-definition-means-for-trans-women-s-rights-in-toilets-and-changing-rooms/ar-AA1D5PYg?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=b213471b04f240bed7777bbcd6420b5a&ei=117

Story by Craig Munro (17 April 2025)

The head of the equalities watchdog has said trans women should no longer be able to access women's toilets and changing rooms following yesterday's Supreme Court ruling.

Judges in London announced yesterday that the terms 'sex' and 'women' in the Equality Act 2010, which provides protections for specific groups in society, should be defined biologically.

Their decision means trans women are not legally considered women in the UK.

Lord Hodge, who announced the ruling on Wednesday morning, said trans people are still protected from discrimination under the Equality Act, as gender reassignment is considered a protected characteristic like sex.

But in an appearance on the BBC's Today programme, the chief of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) suggested there was a broad list of places trans people would now legally no longer be welcome.

Asked if it was now clear that trans women would not be able to access women's changing rooms in places like gyms and swimming pools, Baroness Kishwer Falkner said: 'Yes.

'Single-sex services like changing rooms must be based on biological sex.'

'... I think the law is quite clear that if a service provider says we're offering a women's toilet, that trans people should not be using that single-sex facility. The steer from the Supreme Court is quite clear in that regard.'