UK Supreme Court’s Ruling on the Definition of “Woman”
On April 16, 2025, the UK Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling regarding the legal definition of “woman.” The court concluded that under the Equality Act 2010, a woman is defined as someone born biologically female, excluding transgender women—even those with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). This unanimous decision arose from a legal challenge by the group For Women Scotland against the Scottish government’s guidance that included transgender women with GRCs in female quotas for public boards.
The court’s judgment clarifies that “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer to biological sex, not gender identity. As a result, transgender women may be excluded from single-sex spaces such as women’s shelters, changing rooms, and certain medical services. However, the court emphasized that transgender individuals remain protected from discrimination under the gender reassignment provisions of the Equality Act.
This ruling has sparked widespread debate. Supporters, including For Women Scotland and author J.K. Rowling, view it as a victory for women’s sex-based rights. Conversely, transgender rights advocates and organizations like Amnesty International argue that the decision undermines human rights protections for transgender individuals. They express concern that it could lead to increased exclusion and stigmatization of transgender people in various areas of public life.
The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to influence future legal interpretations and policies concerning gender identity and sex-based rights in the UK.