Thousands of trans rights protesters gathered on London’s Parliament Square on Saturday, days after the UK Supreme Court ruled that they were biologically female-born people, thereby excluding trans women from their legal definition.
Protesters gathered for “emergency demonstrations” as increasing concerns about the meaning of the ruling on the rights of transgender people. Activists hold banners and embrace slogans such as “Trans women are women” and “Trans rights.”
“It’s a scary time to take away your rights from you,” said Sophie Gibbs, a 19-year-old trans woman. “We were disappointed to live in a society that looks very progressive now, but is willing to make such a dangerous and harmful sentence.”
In its long-awaited ruling on Wednesday, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terms “women” and “sexual” in the “Equality Act 2010″ refer to biological women and biological sex.” This ruling essentially means that trans women who hold gender identity certificates are not considered women in the eyes of the law.
The trans community is worried that the groundbreaking ruling could undermine their rights and that it will catalyze further decisions that erode progress in recent years.
The UK’s highest courts say that trans people remain protected from discrimination.
“It’s a Pandora box situation and just thinking we’re allowing something specific, essentially allowing us to open the door and do more than we could ever be accepted or pushed,” Zuleha Oshdi, 29, said.
The head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said the ruling means that trans women will be excluded from women’s toilets, wards and sports teams.
Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, said on Saturday he “understands” the “scars and anguish” that trans people feel about the verdict, but he accepted that he must follow the ruling.
The latest census shows about 116,000 people identified as trans in the UK, about 116,000. Approximately 8,500 gender recognition certificates have been issued.
The Supreme Court’s decision came from a 2018 law passed by the Scottish Parliament. Transgender women with gender identity certificates were included in meeting quotas.
The decision was celebrated by a group that includes Women Scotland, a gender-critical campaign group supported by J.K. Rowling.
