After Supreme Court Ruling Defines ‘Woman’ by Biological Sex, Thousands Rally in London

Thousands of trans rights activists gathered in Parliament Square, London, on Saturday in response to a controversial UK Supreme Court ruling that legally defines “woman” as someone born biologically female. The demonstration followed Wednesday’s landmark judgment, which excludes transgender women, even those with Gender Recognition Certificates, from the legal definition of “woman” under the Equality Act 2010.

The ruling has sparked fear and anger within the LGBTQ+ community, as many worry it could set a precedent for further erosion of trans rights in the UK. Protesters waved pride flags and held signs with slogans such as “Trans Women Are Women” and “Trans Rights Now,” demanding legal recognition and protection.

“It’s a terrifying time to have your rights taken away from you,” said 19-year-old trans woman Sophie Gibbs. “I thought we lived in a progressive society, but this ruling is a dangerous step backward.”

The court’s decision stemmed from a legal challenge to a 2018 Scottish law requiring public boards to have at least 50% women. Trans women were initially counted in this quota, but the ruling now prevents them from being included.

The head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission confirmed that the ruling will likely lead to transgender women being excluded from single-sex spaces such as women’s toilets, hospital wards, and sports teams.

Despite the decision, the Supreme Court emphasized that transgender individuals remain protected from discrimination under UK law. However, activists and legal experts argue the judgment could open the door to further restrictions and set a concerning precedent.

Zuleha Oshodi, 29, a protester at the demonstration, said, “It’s a Pandora’s box. Once you start allowing rulings like this, it becomes easier to pass more laws that chip away at our rights.”

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said he “understands the hurt and anguish” felt by the trans community, though he acknowledged that the court’s decision must be respected.

According to the most recent UK census, approximately 116,000 people identify as transgender, with around 8,500 having obtained Gender Recognition Certificates.

The protest was one of the largest trans rights demonstrations in recent years, signaling growing resistance to what many see as a rollback of hard-won equality.

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