Supreme court ruling

[mids2019]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/16/uk-supreme-court-rule-legal-definition-woman

How do we think this is going to pan out? My feeling reading the piece is that the court is going to side with GC women.....hope so but we will see.

Women’s rights defended. Has there been a court case for what is a man?
Being a woman is difficult with periods, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, childcare, discrimination, violence. A man doesn’t experience being a woman as a woman experiences this. It’s more than a nice handbag, lipstick and a skirt.

Does it mean that the Women's Pool Championship, has to be played again, so that this time a biological women can win it. 🤬

EHRC wanted clarity as well, is this enough?

Catriona hoping law people will bottom out the implications for us…

Another case underway about how a TW should be treated under the law…

The judge was clear this isn’t about policy, it’s about law. Government need to work out the policy implications

No the ruling DOESN'T say that.

Other rulings say we don't have to believe in gender but there's still issues over harassment.

This is where pronouns become sticky. If we exercise freedom not to believe where does that meet with harassment?

Personally I don't think using correct sex pronouns is harassment if you otherwise treat someone with respect and without discrimination and don't single them out for special treatment (and this is lawfully where things probably sit)

But others will argue the case and I think this is one of the next areas that will ultimately end up tested in court.

I guess they can get round it by changing the the equalities act though?

Just wanted to join the party 🎉. Such great news and offers hope to us Handmaids out here still languishing in the colonies (Australia, NZ and Canada). Well done you incredibly tough, intelligent and determined Scottish women and everyone who backed you and fought alongside you. We too shall one day overcome. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 💜 🤍 💚

Oh god, what a relief! I was watching the judgement sweating and slightly dizzy but am starting to calm down a bit now.

Does it fall under a single sex exemption?

If the answer is yes ...

Just saw Mr Menno pop up giving the women a hug outside!

And now woman’s hour back to discussing affairs.

Please, please can someone send James O'Brien a simple explanation, in words of 2 syllables or fewer.
I keep switching him off, then being drawn back for a few minutes, only to hear him still wittering about not understanding any of the issues, and sagely agreeing to callers quoting all kinds of incorrect statistics and other misinformation.
He really is the most irritating man.

This is great news...who could foresee that by 2025 the highest court in the land would have to be deciding what a woman is? We live in strange times.

Yes they can.

But doing so in the present political climate, would be political suicide and would likely be reversed very quickly by the next government.

Which is why it won't happen.

Those judges are absolutely correct that this isn't a "victory" for FWS. These are women who've found themselves caught up in dedicating a huge portion of their lives to fighting for something that should always have been clear commonsense. They didn't start this, they haven't got their own way. They've had to take this all the way to the supreme court just to retain rights that should never have been in doubt.

I'm feeling hugely indebted to all those who have fought this so bravely and relentlessly.

And of course, trans rights are human rights - no one should lose any rights just because of their gender identity.

So incredibly relieved. Feeling a bit teary here today.

That would be quite something, though, to change legislation to explicitly state that one of the groups previously protected in that legislation will now no longer be protected by it. I doubt even Labour would have the stomach for it.

If the LibDems or SNP were in power, then I wouldn't be so sure.

Every woman I know in real life was avidly awaiting the response. Because it deeply affects all of us. Even those who consider themselves “allies”.

All mainstream political parties are essentially for men, so that is hardly a USP.

Delighted to have played a small part in this Scottish campaign. Delighted with the result.
#womenwontwheesht.

exactly - it basically is saying:
men are men / women are women - the judgement has put the balance back where it should be...

but the caution is that this doesn't open the gates to pushing the balance wrongly the other way (even though that is what many TW were doing...) - discrimination of any kind is still not allowed - whether you are discriminated against because you have freckles / blue eyes or a GRC

FWS are warrior women!

Also relieved that it is stated that sex is binary. Not a spectrum.

bbc post quoting judge:

You don't have to understand or care. But rest assured that feminism will carry on in your absence.

Awesome.