UK Supreme Court Rules Trans Women Not Legally Women

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that, under the Equality Act 2010, legal definitions of 'woman' and 'sex' refer specifically to biological women, excluding trans women from this classification. The decision was celebrated by some, including author J.K. Rowling, who financially supported the legal challenge, and groups like For Women Scotland, who argue the ruling protects women-only spaces and services. Supporters of the ruling assert it clarifies legal protections and is not motivated by prejudice, while critics contend that it represents a setback for trans rights and reinforces exclusionary definitions rooted in historical and colonial ideologies. The ruling prompted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to shift his stance, now aligning with the court's interpretation that a woman is an 'adult female' based on biological sex. The court emphasized that trans individuals retain protections under the category of 'gender reassignment,' but not under the legal definition of sex. This decision has sparked global debate over the implications for gender equality and the rights of transgender people.