UK Supreme Court Rules Trans Men Are Not Women

Britain’s Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the definition of a woman in equality legislation is based on biology and does not apply to trans-identifying men.

The ruling was over a dispute about whether transgender men with a “gender recognition certificate,” legally identifying them as a woman, are qualified for protection from discrimination under the 2010 Equality Act.

Sex is binary: The Supreme Court ruled that the definition of a “woman” in the Equality Act is a “biological woman and a biological sex”:

The definition of sex in the EA 2010 makes clear that the concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man …. A certificated sex interpretation would cut across the definition of the protected characteristic in an incoherent way.

No discrimination: British Justice Lord Patrick Hodge explained this “does not remove protection from trans people.” Under the Equality Act, a transgender man could still claim discrimination based on gender reassignment.

Single-sex spaces: The ruling also reaffirms the British government’s responsibility to protect single-sex spaces, such as toilets and changing rooms.

When companies in America began allowing men who identified as women to use women’s bathrooms, reports of sexual offenses skyrocketed.

This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges and sports clubs. Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.
—Bridget Phillipson, British equalities minister

The rise of the lgbtq+ movement has created a great deal of confusion in Western society over the definition of genders. Despite being controversial, this ruling is a win for common sense. It removes much of the confusion and legalizes a clear and unarguable definition based on science.

Learn more: To learn more about the impact the lgbtq+ movement has had on society, read our Special Report issue “Pride and the assault on marriage, family and children.”