Transgender Women Are Not Legally Women in Landmark Judgment

Helen Joyce believes that - despite today's Supreme Court ruling - public sector changes must be enforced

UK Supreme Court Rules Transgender Women Are Not Legally Women in Landmark Judgment

In a landmark legal decision that is set to have far-reaching implications across the United Kingdom, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that transgender women are not legally considered women under specific legislative definitions. The unanimous judgment concludes a lengthy legal battle between gender-critical campaigners and the Scottish Government over the legal meaning of the term "woman" in public policy and law.

The case centered on whether the Scottish Government acted lawfully when it expanded the definition of "woman" in the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 to include male-born individuals who identify as female. The court ruled that such a redefinition exceeded the government’s devolved powers and contravened the original intention of UK-wide equality legislation, which distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity.

The ruling is being hailed as a significant victory by women’s rights advocates and gender-critical activists, who argue that the erosion of sex-based rights undermines legal protections for biological women, especially in areas such as single-sex spaces, prisons, and political representation.

Reactions from Feminist Campaigners and Politicians

Reporting from outside the Supreme Court, journalists Kamal and Camilla spoke with prominent feminist writers and campaigners Julie Bindel and Helen Joyce, who were both present for the ruling. Bindel, a longtime advocate for women’s rights, described the outcome as "a vital step toward restoring clarity and truth in law." Joyce, author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality, emphasized that while the judgment is encouraging, "the wider fight against gender identity ideology infiltrating UK institutions is far from over."

The team also interviewed Joanna Cherry KC, the former Scottish National Party (SNP) MP and vocal critic of her party's approach to transgender legislation. Cherry welcomed the decision as a vindication of concerns raised by many women across Scotland and the UK. She also called for accountability from political leaders, stating:

“There should be an apology from those who pushed this ideology without consultation or scrutiny, including Nicola Sturgeon.”

Cherry has long been at odds with her former party colleagues over the SNP’s stance on self-identification and gender reform, which has triggered widespread public debate and legal challenges in recent years.

Implications for Gender Law and Policy in the UK

The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to set a precedent for how terms like "woman" and "sex" are interpreted in UK law moving forward. Legal experts suggest it could lead to the reevaluation of other gender-related policies in Scotland and across the UK, especially where definitions are based on gender identity rather than biological sex.

Supporters of trans rights have expressed concern that the ruling could roll back protections and recognition for transgender people. Advocacy groups argue that legal definitions should evolve to reflect the lived realities of trans individuals and ensure their dignity and inclusion in society.

However, critics of gender self-identification maintain that clear legal distinctions based on biological sex are essential for safeguarding women’s rights and ensuring fairness in law, healthcare, and public policy.

A Pivotal Moment in the UK Gender Debate

This ruling adds another chapter to the increasingly polarized debate over gender identity, women’s rights, and freedom of speech in Britain. With political, legal, and cultural tensions continuing to rise, the Supreme Court’s judgment is likely to influence future policymaking, public discourse, and upcoming elections.

As the UK grapples with these complex and deeply personal issues, Wednesday’s ruling will be remembered as a defining moment in the ongoing clash between gender ideology and legal definitions grounded in biological sex.

🎧 Listen ⬇️

[Hollyucinogen]

Notice how they're never trying to redefine what a man is? 🤔

[XetaXones]

As a woman, i dont need a piece of paper saying im a woman…

[jakesolo]

Swap out “trans” and swap in “pretend” and it all becomes clear. “Pretend woman” and “pretend man” doesn’t get any social clout or traction.

[teresaedwards]

Hope it will stop teaching it in schools.

[Samua]

That was interesting. It clarified that they should not have been forcing people to observe their cosplay ideas. Self ID was never the law and still isn't. Good. I feel happy that it is clear again now.

[johnhiggins]

Well done those brave women who fought for years to get this result.

[shaneshankly]

What a sick world we live in where a court has to tell people what a woman is 😢

[kimbatrynchuk]

They are not legally women, because they are men. That took a court case?

[jewlz]

Really sad that they were told they were women in the first place. What a bunch of fools.

[buddyrichable]

Helen Joyce is the true women's advocate.
She stood up when it was not popular to do so, when the crazies were 'in control.'
She should be considered a hero, and role model by all women.

[pennythpmas]

Will Trans men stop telling us ' ignore your eyes and my Willy, ' I'm a woman😂?

[vanessagrierson]

Thank fk for these wonderful women standing up on behalf of 50% of the population ❤❤❤

[MuscleBandit]

The sky is blue and grass is green. Who'd have thunk it 😂

[Ashley-uo]

This is such a huge win for woman.
They are getting there rights back finally

[pjay]

My 100 year old resident at the nursing where I work put so simply when she said . “ Now there are men pretending to be woman” .

[winstonsmith]

Who's giving them a piece of paper saying this stuff when it's clearly untrue?

[kevino]

How fascinating and highly technical. Supreme court must have had to study gender studies for a number of years to come to this expert decision. 🤣🤣🤣. Joking aside I'm glad they came to the right decision.

[joeewell]

With the UK Supreme Court now capable of ruling on a scientific issue, there is literally nothing beyond the UK Supreme Court rulings, even that the Earth itself rather than the Sun is now the center of the Solar System.

[johnkennedy]

What is so difficult in this sham world, let's just get back to some common sense.

[celtickid]

Praise the lord, faith in humanity restored