TENI is dismayed by the UK Supreme Court ruling today on the legal definition of a woman, which has been defined on the basis of biological sex, regardless of legal gender recognition. This is a step back for human rights in the UK, impacting all trans and intersex people, but particularly trans women. Any ruling which excludes and limits personal freedoms, access and participation in society, and recognition in the eyes of the law impacts us all.

We know that trans women are women. Furthermore, we know that trans women face systemic exclusion, marginalisation and violence, and are targeted and demonised by political actors, media and anti-trans activists. This has culminated in efforts to erase trans women from many sectors of society, which this ruling appears to support.

While anti-trans activists are claiming this ruling as a victory, we would remind them that without trans women, there would be no LGBTQ+ rights movement. Trans women have always fought for our liberation, and the cynical rejection of trans women’s womanhood and human rights is antithetical to our collective humanity and our fight for equality and liberation.

We are encouraged by the fact that this narrative has not made its way to Ireland, and that both the LGBTQ+ rights movement and women’s rights movements here know that trans women are women, and that trans women are valued and cherished members of our communities. The law in Ireland remains unchanged, with trans people protected under the Employment Equality Acts and Equal Status Acts. We will continue to work across all sectors to ensure that this remains the case.

To our sisters in the UK, we send you our solidarity, and our anger.