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Key Points
- Demonstrators in London and Edinburgh have gathered to protest a recent UK Supreme Court ruling.
- The court found that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act refer to a “biological woman”.
- Trans activists are concerned that the ruling’s far-reaching consequences could increase potential discrimination.
“But we counsel against reading this judgment as a triumph for one or more groups in our society at the expense of another — it is not.”
Outside the UK parliament in London, activists, protesters, trade unions and community groups waved flags and held up banners with slogans such as “trans women are women” and “trans rights are human rights”.
Fears of an increase in ‘hate crimes’
“Hate crimes against [the] trans community [will] go up,” Zayas added.
Brown said other fears included not being able to access healthcare and children being scared to come out as trans.
Trans activists are concerned the UK Supreme Court’s ruling could lead to an increase in discrimination. Source: AAP / Andrew Matthews / PA
London’s Metropolitan Police said it was investigating after seven statues “in the vicinity of the protest” were vandalised.
“We’re pointing fingers at people who aren’t harming anybody, such as trans people, while ignoring the real problems,” she said.
People from trans rights groups and community organisations rallied outside Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government building in Edinburgh. Source: AAP / Lesley Martin / PA
Last week’s court ruling followed a legal battle between the Scottish government and a campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) involving clashing interpretations of the Equality Act.
