The UK’s Has Ruled That The Legal Definition Of "Woman" Refers To Only “Biological" Women And Does Not Include Trans Women
The court said it was focused on ruling on the term's definition and told people not to interpret the verdict "as a triumph for one or more groups in our society at the expense of another."
In a blow to transgender rights, the UK’s supreme court has ruled that the legal definition of "woman" refers to only “biological" women and does not include trans women.
Transgender rights counter protestors disrupt the Let Women Speak rally following the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act coming into force, outside The Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. Picture date: Saturday April 6, 2024. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)
The ruling came after a Scottish group named For Women Scotland filed a case asking the court to rule on what the UK's Equality Act law means by "sex" — whether it is biological sex, or legal, "certificated" sex.
Susan Smith (L) and Marion Calder, directors of 'For Women Scotland' cheer as they leave the Supreme Court on April 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Scottish government had mandated in 2018 that public sector boards should have 50% women, and that included trans women with gender recognition certificates that acknowledge their new gender.
Women from Scottish Feminist Network outside the Court of Session on September 19, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
But For Women Scotland argued that laws protecting women from discrimination should only apply to women who are assigned female at birth.
People take part in a Trans Pride protest march in Brighton. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)
The group lost its case in a court in Scotland in 2022 but took it to the UK's Supreme Court.
Demonstrators outside Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government's headquarters in Scotland, protest against the UK Government's decision to block the Gender recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which was passed recently by the Scottish Parliament. (Photo by Ken Jack/Getty Images)
On Wednesday, April 16, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the Equality Act refer to "a biological woman" and biological sex."
ransgender people and their supporters march through central London during the fifth Trans Pride protest march for transgender freedom and equality in the UK and globally in London, United Kingdom. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
However, it said it was focused on ruling on the terms' definition and told people not to interpret the verdict "as a triumph for one or more groups in our society at the expense of another," saying that it was not a victory.
Trans rights activists protest at a Gender Identity Talk held at Portobello Library. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
The court said that trans people — including both trans women and trans men — would not be disadvantaged by its decision as they are still protected from discrimination under the Equality Act.
A protester holds a placard with the colours of the trans pride flag in support of a trans rights during the demonstration. (Photo by Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The ruling has been condemned by LGBTQ activists and rights groups, who say it threatens the legal rights and protections for trans people, who are already marginalized and attacked in society.
Demonstrators outside Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government's headquarters in Scotland, protest against the UK Government's decision to block the Gender recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. (Photo by Ken Jack/Getty Images)
Trans rights have become increasingly contentious in the UK in recent years, a movement largely due to the rise of [TERFs (https://www.usnews.com/news/best-coun..., or trans exclusionary radical feminists who don't believe trans women are women.
Transgender people and their supporters march through central London during the sixth Trans Pride protest march for transgender freedom and equality in the UK and globally in London, United Kingdom. (Photo credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
This includes Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who is notorious for being anti-trans.
Protesters hold placards outside the BBC Broadcasting House during the Trans pride. Thousands of trans people, allies, friends and family members marched through on central London from the BBC Broadcasting House to the Wellington Arch. Protesters demanded healthcare and trans rights. (Photo by Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Rowling and other TERFs believe only in “biological sex” and that trans women should not be allowed in women’s spaces such as bathrooms out of fear that violent men will change their gender and attack women and girls in the spaces.
Transgender rights counter protestors disrupt a demonstration by Let Women Speak in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
For Women Scotland hailed the court's decision, saying "sex is real", while Rowling wrote on social media that the group had "protected the rights of women and girls across the UK."
A Pro-trans protester holds a placard expressing her opinion during the demonstration. (Photo by Jake Lindley/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The UK government also welcomed the ruling, saying that it shows that single-sex spaces are protected.
Transgender people and their supporters demonstrate outside Downing Street against the UK government's decision to block the Scottish Gender Recognition Bill that would make it easier for people to change their legal gender in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto)NO USE FRANCE)
It said that the verdict will bring "clarity and confidence" for women and places like hospitals, refuges and sports clubs.
Thousands of people take part in a London Trans+ Pride march in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Kassy Cho
Sofia Hou
Kassy Cho
