Criticism Rises Over Increased Risk of Human Rights Violations
As the UK Supreme Court ruled that the definition of "woman" under the Equality Act is limited to those born as biological females, a protest took place in central London.
On the 19th (local time), foreign media including The Guardian and AP reported that protesters gathered in the square in front of the UK Parliament in London. The protesters waved placards and flags with slogans such as "Transgender Liberation," "Transgender women are women," and "Don't take away our rights," raising their voices against what they called an unjust Supreme Court decision. The protest was organized by a coalition of 24 LGBTQ+ and human rights groups from across the UK, drawing thousands of participants.
Protesters gathered in the square in front of the UK London Parliament hold signs that read "Transgender women are women." Photo by Yonhap News
Previously, on the 16th, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the UK's Equality Act refer to biological women and biological sex. The court stated, "The definition of sex in the 2010 Equality Act makes it clear that sex is binary, meaning a person is either female or male."
The protesters criticized the decision, saying it is interpreted as the government and judiciary refusing to legally recognize the gender identity of transgender people, thereby increasing the risk of human rights violations against transgender individuals. Sophie Gibbs, a 19-year-old transgender woman, said, "This is a terrible era in which our rights are being stripped away," and emphasized, "It is deeply disappointing that such a dangerous and harmful decision has been made in a society that appears to be progressive."
Oscar Hoyle, who founded an LGBTQ+ youth human rights organization in 2018, expressed his sorrow that he had encountered four suicide attempts by LGBTQ+ youths following the ruling. Hoyle, who also participated in the protest, pointed out, "Regardless of your stance in this debate, no one should be made to feel that their life is not worth living simply because they are a minority."
There were also concerns that this Supreme Court decision could lead to more policies and decisions that run counter to the trend of expanding human rights protections. Zuleha Oshodi, 29, who joined the protest, said, "It feels as if a door has been opened for things we never imagined to be accepted and pushed forward," describing it as "a Pandora's box situation."
Meanwhile, among those who assisted and supported the women's groups that brought about this Supreme Court decision is J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series. Rowling has argued that the rights of those born as biological women should not be sacrificed for the rights of people who have transitioned to female.
Attention is also being paid to whether this decision will bring changes to sports competitions involving transgender athletes. Activist Sun Wong stated, "This decision applies to all levels of women's sports, including elite athletics," and added, "No woman will be sanctioned again for raising concerns about men being in women's divisions."
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