Women's rights campaigners have handed the Scottish government a deadline to comply with the UK Supreme Court's ruling on biological sex. The Sex Matters group has issued a letter warning of legal action in 14 days if ministers continue to delay new policies and guidance. Chief executive Maya Forstater said single-sex toilets and changing facilities must be provided, with all Scottish public bodies required to take "immediate action". The Scottish Government says itaccepts the Supreme Court judgementand is awaiting new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It comes after the Supreme Court sided with women's rights campaigners in April in a landmark case against the Scottish government. The Scottish government had argued that trans people with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) were entitled to the same sex-based protections as biological women. Following the ruling, Scotland's first minister John Swinney saidnew sex-based rights guidance was being developed. However, Sex Matters is urging the Scottish government to implement the Supreme Court ruling "in full, and without delay". The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is currently consulting on a revised code of practice. It haspublished interim guidance, including saying trans women should not be permitted to use women's facilities in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants. But Sex Matters states that the EHRC consultation was "not an invitation – particularly to public authorities – to act in a way that is unlawful in the meantime". It has asked the Scottish government to confirm within 14 days that it accepts that toilets and changing facilities must be provided on a biological sex basis - with any mixed-sex facilities in addition to this. Sex Matters also said that any published government guidance making reference to trans people accessing single-sex spaces should be suspended immediately. It also asks the Scottish government to issue a statement requiring all of Scotland's public bodies and service providers to take immediate action on single-sex facilities. It said it was not acceptable to continue "unlawful practices" while waiting for the EHRC's updated guidance. The Scottish government said it would respond to the letter "in due course". A spokesperson said: "The Scottish government has been clear that we accept the Supreme Court judgement. We are reviewing policies, guidance and legislation potentially impacted by the judgement. "This will prepare us to take all necessary steps when the EHRC, publishes its revised statutory code of practice and associated guidance for services, public functions and associations." The Supreme Court ruling brought strong criticism from the transgender community and their supporters that they werebeing excluded from public life. Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the decision could make the lives of trans people "almost unliveable".
Women's group threatens legal action over single-sex spaces
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"Scottish Government Faces Legal Threat Over Compliance with Supreme Court Ruling on Single-Sex Spaces"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Women's rights campaigners, represented by the group Sex Matters, have issued a warning to the Scottish government regarding compliance with a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that emphasizes biological sex in public facilities. The campaigners have set a deadline of 14 days for the government to enact new policies and guidance that reflect this ruling, particularly concerning the provision of single-sex toilets and changing facilities. Maya Forstater, the chief executive of Sex Matters, has stressed the necessity for all public bodies in Scotland to take immediate action to ensure that these facilities are designated based on biological sex. This demand follows a landmark Supreme Court decision in April, which sided with women's rights advocates in a case against the Scottish government's stance on gender recognition certificates (GRC) and sex-based protections for trans individuals. While the Scottish government acknowledges the Supreme Court's judgment, it is currently awaiting new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) before implementing any changes.
The situation has been further complicated by ongoing consultations from the EHRC regarding a revised code of practice. Interim guidance suggests that trans women should not have access to women's facilities in various public venues, including hospitals and shops. Despite this, Sex Matters has cautioned against any actions by public authorities that might violate the Supreme Court ruling while waiting for the updated guidance. They are requesting confirmation from the Scottish government that single-sex facilities will be maintained based on biological sex, with any mixed facilities being supplementary. The organization's letter also calls for the immediate suspension of any government guidance that allows trans individuals access to single-sex spaces. The Scottish government has responded, stating it will review policies in light of the Supreme Court ruling and will take necessary steps once the EHRC publishes its revised guidance. However, the ruling has drawn criticism from the transgender community, with former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expressing concerns about the implications for the lives of trans individuals in Scotland.
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