Keir Starmer responds to UK Supreme Court ruling

Bridget Phillipson also commented to what the ruling will mean for public spaces 

BY DIVA STAFF, IMAGE BY FLICKR 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has commented on the UK Supreme Court’s ruling, with his official spokesperson stating that “a woman is a biological woman”. 

On 16 April the UK Supreme Court announced their “unanimous decision” that the terms “woman” and “sex” refer to biological women and biological sex in the Equality Act 2010. This decision followed a long-running legal battle between the Scottish government and a women’s group For Women Scotland, with the Scottish government arguing that trans people with a gender recognition certification (GRC) are entitled to sex-based protections. 

Starmer spoke on the ruling yesterday (22 April), saying that the ruling gave “clarity”. Many have been quick to point out that this statement is a U-turn from Starmer’s previous comments about trans people. In 2020, Starmer stated “trans women are women, that trans men are men”. 

The Prime Minister’s comments came shortly after Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities of the United Kingdom, stated that “the ruling was clear that provisions and services should be accessed on the basis of biological sex” on BBC Radio 4. 

Broadcaster India Willoughby was quick to respond to Starmer’s statement, writing on X: “Horrendous. If you’re trans and in the UK, or simply support the trans community during this nightmare time […] Can’t believe this country or our PM.” 

MPs have also commented on both Starmer and Phillipson’s comments, with Nadia Whittome MP writing: “Discrimination, harassment and violence will rise if trans people lose access to toilets and other spaces. Many will be driven from public life. That’s what’s at stake here. There’s no benefit to women. Just harm to trans people and anyone who doesn’t fit gendered stereotypes.”

Activist and model Munroe Bergdorf spoke just hours after the statements, writing “the cruelty is the point. The toxicity is intentional. Erasure of trans people from public life is the goal.” 

Leading trans advocacy organisation TransActual has sent a letter to the Prime Minister to express concern about the latest ruling. TransActual’s Managing Director, Helen Belcher OBE, said: “We and many others are still trying to understand the impact of the ruling and subsequent announcements. However, it looks very much like trans people have lost the basic human rights of privacy, safety, and protection from degrading treatment. Quite possibly, also, the right to a fair trial. We’re asking the government to bring clarity in practice, not extend confusion by theory.”

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