A step in the right direction for the BBC

[NotAtMyAge]

Lawyer daughter just sent me this correction by the BBC of one of their recent articles on reactions to the Supreme Court judgment. Dare we hope wiser minds inside the Beeb are taking on board what the judgment actually says?

I spotted that this morning. It's good to see that they are correcting at least some misinformation.

Has anyone at the BBC bothered to read the 88 page judgement I wonder? There wasn't anything about "proportionality", obviously because it wouldn't have made any sense.

What is the situation for trans women with a GRC ?

They don’t fall under the legal definition of “woman” in the equality act. The certificate makes no difference as paperwork doesn’t determine sex.

Good. I totally agree.

It's made clear throughout the judgement.

Following a thorough investigation of the law, the conclusion was that there is no coherent way under equality law to grant rights to some men and not others, or organise mixed sex groups in women's resources and spaces while still meeting women's protections under the law.

The GRC is not relevant as a means of accessing women's single sex spaces. Their needs will need to be met separately, to be compatible with women's protections under law. Which, being 51% of the population, is fairly crucial.

Confused how they even got to the conclusion to start with. Proportionate how?! No-one is excluded from single-sex spaces, it just means you go to the one for your sex. I'm relieved a bit of paperwork doesn't make a difference.

They can now be excluded from female single-sex spaces, services and sports along with all other males. The judgment was quite explicit that whatever their gender presentation or legal certificate they are still biological males.

The proportionate bit applies to whether a single sex space is allowed.

You must be able to demonstrate that providing a separate or single-sex service is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.