Report Reveals Rising Harassment Against Trans, Cis, and Intersex Individuals Post Supreme Court Ruling

A recent report by TransActual has brought to light the increasing violence, harassment, and exclusion faced by trans, cis, and intersex individuals following a UK Supreme Court ruling on gender. The report, entitled "Trans Segregation in Practice: Experiences of Trans Segregation Following the Supreme Court Ruling," was published on August 19, 2025, and compiles personal accounts from diverse members of the community who have been directly affected by the ruling.

Supreme Court Ruling and Its Impact

In April 2025, the UK Supreme Court issued an 88-page judgment after a two-day hearing in London in 2024. The ruling declared that "terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex," effectively excluding trans individuals from the protected characteristic of 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010. This decision was a result of a prolonged legal battle initiated by the gender-critical group For Women Scotland, with support from well-known author JK Rowling. Following the court's decision, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) released draft guidance suggesting that service providers could exclude trans men and women from single-sex services and facilities based on 'biological sex.'

The EHRC's draft guidance sparked widespread concern among human rights and LGBTQ+ organizations, who warned that it would push trans people out of public life. The guidance allows for the exclusion of trans individuals in situations where "reasonable objection" is raised, such as in female spaces if a trans man has "masculine appearance or attributes." A leaked version of the EHRC's final guidance, reported by The Times, indicates little change, suggesting continued restrictions for trans people in changing rooms, wards, and sporting events.

Personal Accounts of Exclusion and Harassment

The report from TransActual highlights numerous distressing accounts of trans, cis, and intersex individuals denied access to essential facilities, facing public harassment, and being excluded from community spaces. A trans woman described feeling "upset, alienated, and othered" when she was barred from a female lounge due to her transgender status. Despite support from other female patients, hospital directors prevented her participation in a spa evening, leaving her feeling "like a freak and not right for society."

In another account, a trans man reported feeling unwelcome at his gym after being told he could no longer use the male or female changing rooms, only being permitted to use the family changing room. He expressed feelings of segregation and discomfort, stating that the exclusion made him feel "like a creep" and "not a real man because [he is] trans." This experience, he explained, led to his withdrawal from the gym environment.

A cisgender butch lesbian also shared her experience of exclusion when she was told she could not use the female restroom due to her masculine appearance. She described feeling invalid and embarrassed, acknowledging her experience as a mere glimpse of the daily struggles faced by the trans community.

Calls for Change and Acknowledgment of Harm

Keyne Walker, Strategy Director for TransActual, emphasized that the report "tells a story of bullying and exclusion," urging that the Supreme Court and EHRC's approach to segregation fails to uphold the dignity and safety of women and trans people. Walker called for the government to reject any guidance that encourages policing who accesses which bathroom, advocating for a restoration of equality law that ensures non-discriminatory practices.

Walker criticized the Supreme Court ruling as "eccentric and at odds with broad understanding of Equality Law," and suggested that the EHRC could have pursued a more inclusive and less harmful approach. The report highlights that the premature implementation of the EHRC's guidance is already negatively impacting trans people and anyone perceived as trans, placing organizations that wish to support trans rights in a difficult position.

The guidance is described as fostering a "bigot’s charter," fueling daily confrontations that threaten to push LGBTQ+ individuals out of the workforce and public spaces. The report's testimonials underscore the urgent need for a change in policy and societal attitudes to prevent further harm and ensure the safety and inclusion of all individuals, regardless of gender identity.

The findings of TransActual's report serve as a crucial reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by trans, cis, and intersex individuals in the UK, highlighting the need for continued advocacy and reform to promote equality and respect for all.