A recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court has defined a woman as someone of biological sex under the country’s equality law, excluding transgender women. The decision aims to clarify protections for women in single-sex spaces, such as bathrooms and hospital wards.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) plans to issue new guidance on single-sex spaces this summer, which will likely include women-only bathrooms and changing rooms. Trans people are expected to be accommodated in neutral third spaces, such as unisex toilets or changing rooms.
The ruling has sparked heated debate among trans rights activists and women’s groups, with some accusing the court of undermining human rights and rolling back protections provided by the Equality Act. The UK government has remained silent on the issue, but a spokesperson said single-sex spaces would always be protected by the government.
Critics argue that the decision raises more questions than answers, particularly regarding the utility of gender recognition certificates and enforcement of “women’s spaces.” The case has ignited fears of broader “culture wars” and new restrictions in the UK.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/19/europe/uk-supreme-court-biological-woman-intl/index.html