Britain’s Supreme Court has ruled that only biological women are recognised as “women” under the Equality Act 2010.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, has sparked both support and concern, especially among transgender rights groups and women’s rights advocates.
According to the court, the law’s use of the words “woman” and “sex” refers only to biological women, not to transgender women—even if they hold a Gender Recognition Certificate, which normally allows them to be legally recognised as female.
Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Lord Hodge, said, “The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms ‘women’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex.”
The court explained that the ruling mostly affects situations where single-sex services are provided, such as hospital wards, women’s shelters, and sports events.
In such spaces, organisations will now have clearer guidance on how to treat biological and transgender women under the law.
Transgender groups have expressed deep worry about the decision. They fear it could lead to more discrimination, especially in places of work and public services.
Some activists say the ruling may push back the progress made in giving equal rights and respect to trans people.
But the UK government welcomed the verdict, saying it gives clarity to groups and businesses that were unsure how to follow the Equality Act.
“We counsel against reading this judgment as a triumph for one or more groups… it is not,” Lord Hodge said, reminding the public that the decision was meant to clarify the law, not to take sides.
The ruling comes at a time when debates over gender identity are growing in the UK and other countries.
In the US, for example, former President Donald Trump took several steps during his time in office to limit transgender rights, including banning trans people from serving in the military.
