Credit: Ted Eytan Commons
A transgender activist from Huddersfield believes that the legal definition of a woman is backwards step, slamming the Government for “undoing all progress we have made”.
The UK Supreme Court ruled that the term ‘woman’ in the Equality Act 2010 refers exclusively to biological females, excluding transgender women, even those with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), from female-specific legal protections.
Transgender people are still protected against both direct and indirect discrimination under the Equality Act, but the decision has sparked concern among LGBTQ+ groups, with many viewing the decision as a huge setback.
Kit Legget is a transgender rights activist in Huddersfield. He transitioned from female to male and is concerned with how the new definition will affect people like him.
“It’s so hard to enjoy existing in this society when you are constantly battling with people who think you are.
“As far as I’m concerned, I have been a man as long as I can remember, I was never comfortable in my body, this decision will completely undo all progress I, and the country, have made on accepting change.
“Everyone always is surprised when I reveal I am transgender, this new ruling means I technically should enter women’s changing rooms for example, I don’t belong there.”
Others are worried that this change is just the beginning of the removal of LGBTQ+ progress, fearing more legislation will come into place that affects the community.
Being transgender in Huddersfield
In Huddersfield and across the country, single-sex spaces are further protected and companies in the area will not be required to include transgender women in inclusivity quotas.
The case was brought to court by the feminist group For Women Scotland who were challenging the Scottish Government’s decision to include transgender women in representation quotas for job opportunities.
Aiden O’Neill KC, who was representing ‘For Women Scotland during the case, argued “sex just means sex, as that word and the words woman and man are understood and used in ordinary, everyday language,” and that certificated sex “is just wrong”.
Many people who took to social media seem to back this view.
“It’s ridiculous this went to court, it’s common sense,” says one user on Facebook.
“Women have been women for as long as humans have been around, why change it now?” says another.
Kirklees Council has re-enforced the protection of single-sex spaces and will follow the guidance given by the Supreme Court and the Government.
Read more about the changes to the Equality Act 2010:
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