UK Supreme Court Defines Woman by Biological Sex, Excludes Transgender Women

The UK Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the legal definition of a woman under the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex, excluding transgender women with gender recognition certificates from being counted as women for purposes such as public board quotas. This decision, prompted by a challenge from the group For Women Scotland against the Scottish government’s inclusion of transgender women in female representation targets, is seen as a significant victory by women's rights advocates but a setback for transgender rights. The court clarified that while transgender individuals remain protected from discrimination under the law, the specific terms 'sex' and 'woman' refer to biological categories. Supporters of the ruling argue that it restores clarity and common sense to legal definitions, while opponents warn it could restrict transgender women's access to single-sex spaces and services. The decision has sparked celebration among gender-critical campaigners and concern from LGBT+ groups about its broader social and legal impacts. Legal experts note that the ruling will have far-reaching implications for how sex and gender are interpreted in UK law going forward.