On a Trans+ Pride march in London (Picture: Guy Smallman)
Some names have been changed
Emma, trans woman
I don’t yet know how the Supreme Court ruling will impact me. But as a public sector worker I fear that my work life could become more uncomfortable or unsafe for me.
I was unsurprised, but devastated at hearing the news.
I have the constant fear of being outed or being subject to transphobia when out and about. All of these regulations, hate pieces and general transphobia is statistically making hate speech and hate crimes more common.
And I’m a former rugby player and now former hockey player—two sports I love have been taken away from me already and I fear more will.
I don’t have a gender recognition certificate (GRC), but will now seek one.
The judges know exactly what they’re doing. This isn’t ignorant—this is malicious. The decision to refuse to hear trans voices, or even pro-trans cis voices as evidence in the case, was a deliberate political one.
It was not a legal decision—it was one based on bigotry. They know what they’re doing and they will have blood on their hands.
Sky, trans woman
I am in the process of applying for a GRC. It is the most miserable experience—filling in forms and finding evidence to prove I have been living as a woman. Only around 3,000 people have a certificate.
Now I am wondering, does a certificate mean anything? Can I still get married as a woman? Can I work with vulnerable young women? Where will I be put on the next school trip for work?
The things we thought we had won have gone. I am questioning my future.
The “For Women Scotland” group won in court because of the wider political climate—transphobia is state policy. It is a Labour government using the same divide and rule as the Tories did. And when Reform UK spouts transphobia, no one challenges it.
We can only beat Starmer if we are united and take up issues like transphobia.
After the Cass Review trans people kept their heads down, but this time, I think people are really angry. It goes far beyond trans circles—lots of people realise how important this attack is.
Gecko, trans man
When I saw the news I cried, then I went to talk to my very supportive mother and she held me as I cried. I feel so lost and alone in this.
I don’t have a GRC. While it had always been a long term goal of mine, I now don’t even know what the point of them is. Are they still even valid?
As a trans man, I often feel we’re entirely left out of all the discussions—mainly because we undo the majority of the “gender critical” arguments. That means most of my barriers revolve around being seen as a woman and experiencing misogyny.
This decision confuses me because I don’t know what it means. Largely because it’s nonsensical, but also where do we go?
It leaves so many questions. I then saw a Labour MP was not able to answer the question, which changing rooms can trans women use?
This just makes it even harder to navigate because us trans men are impacted too.
My message for the judge is this—how the fuck do you expect to pass this judgement without listening to a single trans voice? What the hell is wrong with you that you would cause an already marginalised community more strife?
You cannot stop us existing and we will stand up and fight for our rights. You can kick us while we’re down but we come back swinging every time.
Trans women are women, trans men are men, non-binary people are non-binary. History will look back at you, sir, with disgust and horror.
Quinn, trans man
We wanted to expand the idea of self-identification—now having a GRC certificate doesn’t mean anything at all.
The ruling says, “Trans women aren’t women.” It confirms everything the bigots have been saying.
Me and my girlfriend are worried about how this legitimises bigoted behaviour. What bathroom can we use now? I have been confronted in both men’s and women’s bathrooms.
This means that bigots will feel they can question anyone who doesn’t fit in with what they think men and women should look like.
Accessing healthcare is already incredibly difficult—now it will be even worse. GPs can just say “no” and refuse us the health care we are allowed to have access to. Now it will be much easier for people to say trans people don’t exist so you can’t have the care you need.
The ruling is a huge shift in direction in law and policy.
We need a massive fight back from trans people and our allies. It is great to see that protests have been called.
We need them to be as big as possible, with the widest groups of people. It is very easy for the bigots to act like they are in the majority and everyone hates trans people. But a lot of people support trans people and don’t care what bathrooms people use.
Fighting for a better world for everyone is a much more inspiring message than spreading hate.
Jess, trans woman
Over the last three years it’s been very visible on the streets that passive, daily transphobia has ramped up. But this feels like a leap.
How will this decision impact me? There are lots of complicated aspects of the law that I don’t understand yet. In the most direct sense, I think it means I have delayed sorting out a new passport for too long. It’s the crushing mundanity of it.
I consider myself lucky in that I am not working in any public facing role—if I was on a shop floor, I would be facing it.
This is a huge political and cultural shift. They will feel recognised in their bigotry by the state—there will be a jump in abuse online, on public transport and throughout society.
I have been heartened to see that there has been more of a mood to fight this decision.
Trans voices need to be listened to, but we cannot let this be a fight purely being led by trans comrades. Active allyship has never been more important—not just in speech but in boots on the ground on demos and helping to organise demos.
This article will be updated with more interviews
Activists have called protests this weekend, including:
Fight every attempt to exclude, isolate and attack trans+ people
The far right are stoking up fear and hatred of Muslims
Defiant march says ‘trans joy is here to stay’
