Trans people ‘fleeing Britain and seeking asylum abroad as they fear for their safety’ after Supreme Court gender ruling

Protests have spread across the UK after a recent Supreme Court decision that has deeply upset the transgender community. The court ruled that, under the Equality Act 2010, the words “woman” and “sex” mean someone who is biologically female. This means transgender women are not legally recognised as women under this law.

Following the ruling, some transgender people are feeling unsafe and are thinking about leaving the UK. Labour peer Lord Cashman spoke in the House of Lords, saying that some of his friends are even considering applying for asylum in other countries where they feel they will be accepted and safe.

Lord Cashman explained that many trans people in the UK are now scared—not just for their safety, but also for their future. He said they are feeling rejected in their own country. In response, Equalities Minister Baroness Smith said she hopes trans people still feel that the UK is a place where they are valued and protected by law.

In the past five years, hate crimes against transgender people have increased. For example, in Nottinghamshire, police recorded 77 transphobic incidents in the year ending March 2024, up from 60 the year before and 35 five years ago. Across England and Wales, while the total number of these crimes slightly dropped from 4,889 to 4,780 this year, the overall trend still shows a big rise compared to five years ago, when the figure was just 2,329. The Home Office said there’s been a noticeable increase in harassment motivated by anti-trans beliefs.

People have taken to the streets to protest. In cities like Bristol, large crowds have gathered peacefully, holding signs that say “Trans rights are human rights” and “Erased in law.” One of the protestors, Ella Morgan, who appeared on *Married At First Sight UK*, said that she believes protecting women is important, but not at the cost of excluding trans women. She said that the new ruling puts trans people in more danger.

Another public figure, *Big Brother* winner Nadia Almada, said on *Good Morning Britain* that she’s thinking about leaving the country because of this ruling. She said it’s scary to be told you’re not a woman just because of your birth sex. She added that she’d rather not get medical treatment at all than be placed in a male hospital ward.

This ruling could also affect places that are only for women, such as female toilets, changing rooms, or women’s sports. Baroness Falkner, head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, confirmed that trans women can no longer use those single-sex spaces under the new legal interpretation. British Transport Police also said that from now on, any body searches in custody must match the person’s birth sex.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting mentioned that trans patients could be offered private rooms in NHS hospitals, to make sure they’re cared for in a respectful and safe way.

Overall, the court’s decision has caused fear, sadness, and frustration among many transgender people and their allies, and the situation continues to spark national conversation and protests.