UK Supreme Court says definition of a woman is biological in landmark ruling

• The United Kingdom’s supreme court ruled on Wednesday, the definition of a woman under the country’s equality law refers to biological sex. The ruling clarifies a section within the law, which included transgender women in its definition of a woman, and directed 50% female representation on the boards of Scottish public bodies.
• The unanimous judgment means a transgender person, even with documentation recognizing themselves as female, should not be legally considered a female within the Equality Act.
• LGBTQ+ rights groups raised concerns the ruling could jeopardize laws pertaining to public spaces for women and further barriers to participation in society.

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As a debate on transgender individuals takes place in the United States, the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled on a landmark case on the subject.

What did the high court rule?

The U.K.’s high court ruled on Wednesday, April 16, that the definition of a woman under the nation’s Equality Act should be interpreted as referring to biological sex.

What does it mean for transgender people?

The unanimous decision by the country’s five Supreme Court justices means a transgender person, even with official documentation recognizing them as female, should not be legally considered a female within the Equality Act.

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Due to the decision, transgender women in the U.K. can now be excluded from some single-sex spaces, like changing rooms, homeless shelters, swimming areas and medical services exclusive to women.

Justice Patrick Hodge wrote the court’s decision and said the terms “women” and “sex” in the Equality Act “refer to a biological woman.”

The ruling clears up some lingering legal questions about gender identity within U.K. law, which have been hotly debated among people from all walks of life, including those within the LGBTQ+ community, women, parents and lawmakers.

What did the original law intend?

The U.K. ruling comes in the wake of a 2018 law passed by the Scottish Parliament. The law ordered 50% female representation on the boards of Scottish governmental bodies, which included transgender women in its definition of a woman.

A lower court rejected a challenge to that definition in 2022, but the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in 2024. 

The U.K. Supreme Court stated the statute is “incoherent and unworkable” if it depends on the definition of sex based on gender identity instead of human biology.

How does it impact protections?

The justices, however, acknowledged the ruling does not erase protections against discrimination for transgender people. 

“Trans people are protected from discrimination on the ground of gender reassignment. They are also able to invoke the provisions on direct discrimination and harassment, and indirect discrimination on the basis of sex,” the court wrote.

Why are some celebrating the ruling?

The co-director of For Women Scotland, the group that brought the case to the Supreme Court and is financially backed by author J.K. Rowling, celebrated the ruling. They said the ruling was “common sense.”

“Everyone knows what sex is and you can’t change it. It’s common sense, basic common sense and the fact that we have been down a rabbit hole where people have tried to deny science and to deny reality and hopefully this will now see us back to, back to reality.”

For Women Scotland

Rowling also responded to the ruling on X. In the post, she said this was a win for women across the U.K.

“It took three extraordinary, tenacious women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,” Rowling wrote.

Why are some concerned?

LGBTQ+ rights groups expressed concerns over this ruling. Advocates said focusing on the protections kept in place while acknowledging the ruling could lead to further restrictions on where transgender women can go.

Simon Blake, chief executive director of Stonewall, a transgender rights advocacy organization, said this ruling worried the transgender community.

“It will be incredibly worrying for the transgender community and all of us who support them. It’s important to be reminded that the court strongly and clearly affirmed the Equality Act protects all trans people against discrimination, based on gender reassignment, and will continue to do so,” Blake said.

The Guardian reported that the ruling sparked further concerns and could have “far-reaching ramifications.” Transgender advocates said this could lead to greater restrictions for transgender women when accessing services and spaces reserved for women. The ruling has prompted calls for U.K lawmakers to rewrite gender recognition laws.

How are the British and Scottish governments responding?

The British and Scottish governments, meanwhile, embraced the legal clarity regarding the issue by the nation’s top court and said they will strive to implement the ruling.

The U.K. government said the definition by the Supreme Court “bring clarity and confidence” for women and those in health care, athletes and safe spaces for women.

“We have always supported the protection of single sex spaces based on biological sex. Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.”

U.K. government spokesperson

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Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, took to social media to issue a statement on the ruling.

“The Scottish government accepts today’s Supreme Court judgement. The ruling gives clarity between two relevant pieces of legislation passed at Westminster. We will now engage on the implications of the ruling. Protecting the rights of all will underpin our actions,” Swinney wrote.

How is the ruling similar to American politics?

The historic ruling in the U.K. comes as U.S. lawmakers debate similar topics. The Trump administration said it’s aligning federal policy with its biological understanding of gender and sex, viewing female and male designations as fundamentally static.