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Australia’s sex discrimination commissioner has expressed support for the “trans and gender” diverse community following the United Kingdom Supreme Court’s ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
“Human rights belong to everyone. Trans and gender diverse people should be safe, respected and legally recognised,” Anna Cody said on Thursday.
“The laws in the UK are not the laws of Australia. Our laws should reflect inclusion, respect and the right of all people to live with dignity.
“Trans and gender diverse people are a vital part of our community, and this moment reminds us that we must continue to advocate for the full enjoyment of human rights for all in our communities here in Australia, not retreat from it.”
The UK’s highest court has ruled that, according to its Equality Act, the definition of a woman applies only to biological females, excluding trans women.
“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’s deputy president Patrick Hodge said overnight.
“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.”
This landmark ruling has faced global reactions, as transgender activists express concern that it may result in discrimination.
Campaigner Ellie Gomersall said it was “another attack on the rights of trans people to live our lives in peace”.
Some also celebrated the ruling, which followed a legal action by the For Women Scotland (FWS) campaign group.
“Today the judges have said what we always believed to be the case: that women are protected by their biological sex, that sex is real and that women can now feel safe that services and spaces designated for women are for women,” FWS co-director Susan Smith told cheering supporters outside court.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling also supported the decision.
“It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,” Rowling said on X.
The UK Labour government said the decision would provide clarity for hospitals, shelters, and sports clubs.
–Additional reporting by AAP
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