UK Supreme Court Rules “Woman” Means Biological Female in Equality Act—Major Victory for Sex-Based Rights

Image Credit, UK Supreme Court

On April 16, 2025, the UK Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer specifically to biological sex, thereby excluding transgender women—even those with Gender Recognition Certificates—from this legal definition.

This unanimous decision arose from a legal challenge by the feminist group For Women Scotland against a 2018 Scottish law that aimed for gender parity on public boards and included transgender women in its definition of “woman.” The Supreme Court concluded that such an inclusion would render the Equality Act incoherent, emphasizing that biological sex was the intended basis for legal protections.

The ruling has been celebrated by gender-critical feminists and figures like J.K. Rowling, who view it as a reaffirmation of sex-based rights and protections for biological women. Conversely, LGBTQ+ advocates and groups like Stonewall and Amnesty International have expressed deep concerns, warning that the decision could erode protections for transgender individuals and restrict their access to single-sex services and spaces.

While the court emphasized that transgender individuals remain protected under the Equality Act against discrimination and harassment, the ruling clarifies that certain female-designated spaces and services may lawfully exclude transgender women.

This decision underscores the ongoing and complex debate surrounding gender identity and legal definitions, highlighting the challenges in balancing the rights and protections of different groups within society.