The UK supreme court’s judgment on a case brought by a women’s group against Scotland’s Gender Representation on Public Boards Act has sent shockwaves across the country. The ruling clarifies that the word “woman” in equality law refers only to biological sex, upending years of legal interpretation.
Some, like Isobel Montgomery, deputy editor at Guardian Weekly and trustee of domestic violence charity Rise, welcome the decision. Rise offers women-only services based on biological sex, which Montgomery believes is essential for women who have been subject to male violence. “You’re dealing with people in great distress and deserve to be met where their trauma is,” she says.
However, others, such as Ellie Gomersall, an activist for Scottish Greens, are deeply disappointed. The ruling makes it impossible for trans people to put their transition behind them, as they will always face questions about their identity. Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent at The Guardian, explains that while some experts say organisations can exclude trans women from women-only facilities, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission now requires trans people to use toilets fitting their biological sex.
The ruling marks a significant shift in public life, with implications for changing rooms, hospital wards, and other spaces. As the debate rages on, it’s clear that this decision will have far-reaching consequences for those affected by gender identity issues.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2025/apr/23/the-uk-supreme-court-and-the-definition-of-a-woman-podcast