Hundreds protest Supreme Court gender ruling in York

Protesters gathered in St Helen’s Square from 1pm today (Saturday, April 25) following the ruling by the UK’s highest court, which confirmed the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act “refer to a biological woman and biological sex”.

It means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if “proportionate”.

Hundreds of protesters gather in St Helen’s Square, York, on Saturday (April 26) to protest the Supreme Court’s gender ruling (Image: Dylan Connell) Judges stressed their ruling did not diminish transgender women’s protections against direct discrimination.

But some protesters in York felt the ruling will have a significant impact on transgender women.

“I have never felt as scared about the whole process as I was when I heard that ruling,” said Martina Stuart, 75, who underwent gender alignment surgery in 2018.

Martina Stuart at the protest in St Helen’s Square, York, on Saturday (April 26) (Image: Dylan Connell) Martina said the ruling could also lead to an increase in violence against transgender woman.

“It’s scary. Where is my safe place? Where do I go?” Martina said.

Debi Saunders also felt uncertainty following the ruling.

Debi Saunders speaking at the protest in St Helen’s Square, York, on Saturday (April 26) (Image: Dylan Connell) “I feel constantly unsure about where I can go to the toilet. Can I go into a restaurant, do they have toilets that will allow me to go?” said the 64-year-old from York who transitioned to a female in 2023.

“It’s always been difficult being trans. This just makes it even more difficult.”

Debi said the ruling was a “travesty” and felt that transgender women were “not properly represented”.

“Trans people were not there. We were not in the room. It’s going to change our lives. It’s completely wrong.”

Debi said people choosing to transition to a different gender “don’t have a choice”.

Sue Pascoe speaking at the protest in St Helen’s Square, York, on Saturday (April 26) (Image: Dylan Connell) Sue Pascoe was “really disappointed” by the ruling.

“Quite frankly, they’ve got it wrong,” the 65-year-old transgender woman said.

But Sue said it was “fantastic” to see “so many people” at the protest in York.

Speakers at the protest included Cllr Claire Douglas, City of York Council’s leader. And Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, was among those in the crowd.

Hundreds of protesters gather in St Helen’s Square, York, on Saturday (April 26) to protest the Supreme Court’s gender ruling (Image: Dylan Connell) Sue said it was “great” to see the council’s leader “talk about being a trans inclusive city”, adding: “We know we are safe here in York.”

Cllr Douglas said the council is “really committed to being a trans inclusive council”.

“Our view is that the city should be all about equality, equity, diversity and inclusion for all communities. And our trans community is a big part of that.”

Cllr Claire Douglas, City of York Council’s leader, speaking at the protest in St Helen’s Square, York, on Saturday (April 26) (Image: Dylan Connell) The council leader added: “We will continue as, of course, we always will to support trans people living in York to access services to be treated with dignity.