UK Women’s Organisations Exclude Transgender Girls and Women Following Court Ruling

Background

The Girlguiding movement and the Women’s Institute (WI) announced that they will no longer allow transgender girls and women to take part in their activities. Both groups say a landmark court decision earlier this year has left them with no legal alternative.

The Court Decision

In March 2024, the High Court ruled that organisations classified as “single‑sex” must restrict membership to individuals whose gender assigned at birth matches the group’s stated purpose. The judgment was intended to clarify the definition of “single‑sex spaces” under existing equality legislation.

How the Groups Responded

Girlguiding issued a statement saying: “We respect the rule of law and must act in accordance with the court’s interpretation of the law. Consequently, we will continue to operate as a girls‑only organisation as defined by the judgment.”

The Women’s Institute echoed the sentiment, noting: “Our mission is to provide a supportive environment for women as defined by the current legal framework. We are obliged to follow the court’s guidance.”

Reactions and Controversy

The decisions have sparked a heated debate across the UK. Human‑rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates argue that the rulings discriminate against transgender people and undermine inclusivity. Conversely, some members of the public praise the organisations for adhering to what they view as the “spirit of single‑sex spaces.”

Potential Next Steps

Both Girlguiding and the Women’s Institute have said they will monitor any future legal developments. They added that they remain open to revisiting their policies should the courts or Parliament provide clearer guidance on the matter.