Pod Save the UK The UK Supreme Court ruling and the fight for trans rights
May 1, 2025
Ellen Jones, an LGBTQ+ activist and author of 'Outrage,' delves into the ramifications of the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of 'woman,' which she argues endangers trans rights. She discusses the backlash against figures like J.K. Rowling and the need for community support in advocacy. Meanwhile, Wayne Swan, former Deputy PM of Australia, highlights the importance of the Commonwealth in light of global political shifts and shares insights on Australia's voting system, offering lessons for the UK and US.
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Legal Ambiguity Sparks Trans Exclusion
- The UK Supreme Court ruling clarifying "woman" as biological sex is not legally binding but enables organisations to exclude trans people.
- This legal ambiguity fuels exclusion and creates confusion around public service access, especially toilets.
Toilets as Sites of Exclusion
- Targeting toilets has historically served to exclude marginalized groups like racial minorities and gay men.
- Excluding trans people from bathrooms is a tactic to deny them full public participation and control gender conformity.
Harassment in Public Toilets
- Ellen shared that many trans friends have recently been stopped and harassed in public toilets, including by security requiring ID.
- Being visibly trans often results in policing of gender conformity and exclusion from safe public spaces.
