United Kingdom - April 2025

On 16 April, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terminology used in the 2010 Equality Act refers to biological sex. It also invalidated the 2022 Scottish government guidance that rules regarding gender representation on public boards should allow for the inclusion of transgender women with a gender recognition certificate. The case was brought by campaign group For Women Scotland. On 22 May, UN human rights experts warned the judgment risks causing legal uncertainty and undermining transgender rights, saying it could justify exclusionary policies and lead to increased discrimination. Concerns were also raised about interim guidance issued on 25 April by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), interpreting the ruling as allowing exclusion of individuals from single-sex spaces based on biological sex. The EHRC is updating its Code of Practice to clarify the duties of public bodies, service providers and associations under the Equality Act. A public consultation is open until 30 June.

Sources: Cable News Network, British Broadcasting Company, The Supreme Court, The Guardian, UK Equality and Human Rights Commission, OHCHR, The Conversation