Tears and outrage as Swansea rallies for trans rights after court ruling

The Supreme Court’s ruling that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer strictly to biological sex has sparked a wave of protest and debate across the UK, with more than 100 people gathering at Castle Square in Swansea to voice their concerns.
This landmark decision, delivered on April 16, 2025, followed a challenge by the For Women Scotland campaign group and has major implications for how public bodies, employers, and society at large interpret gender and sex-based rights, especially in areas such as equal pay, single-sex spaces, and public services.
The court made clear that even those with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) are not legally recognised as women under the Act, a move that aligns with the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s recent recommendation to adopt a biological definition of sex, but which many believe will require further legislative clarification as society’s understanding of gender continues to evolve.
The atmosphere at the Swansea protest reflected the polarising effect of the ruling, with participants expressing both deep concern and frustration over the future of trans rights and inclusion.
Imogen, a 27-year-old freelance musician, described the decision as “unconscionable and a total miscarriage of justice,” highlighting research that shows butch and masculine women are often harassed in public toilets for not appearing feminine enough, and questioning how the ruling will affect trans individuals’ access to public spaces and services.
Amber, a trans student, spoke candidly about the fear and anxiety the ruling has caused, saying, “They’re taking away my control over my body…
they are going to move on from legal recognition to our biological control over our own bodies and our medical freedoms and that’s when I think it becomes really, really sinister,” and described the humiliation and discomfort of being forced to avoid public spaces altogether.
Other voices at the protest echoed these concerns, with Ashley Horobin, a 21-year-old catering manager, stating, “The support of everyone here today just shows why we need to be here and why we need to fight,” and warning that the ruling could have far-reaching consequences for both trans and cisgender individuals.
Non-binary office administrator Luca Webster pointed out the psychological toll of the decision, noting, “It’s not just the impact in day-to-day lives, but the psychological impact.
It’s such a brave thing to realise who you are and to be open about that and to suddenly have this happen.
Where does it end? What does this start?” Meanwhile, Shauna Hopkins, a student support staff member, worried about the impact on vulnerable students, saying, “I think students who don’t have those family relationships because of their gender identity or because of their sexuality could find this even more harmful than the rest of us.
We don’t know what the actual legislative implications are going to be yet, but you can kind of deduce the way it’s going from what’s been said.”
This Supreme Court decision comes at a time when debates around gender identity and legal recognition are intensifying across the UK and beyond.
Recent data from Stonewall indicates that nearly half of trans people in Britain avoid using public toilets due to fear of discrimination or harassment, underscoring the real-world impact of such legal interpretations.
Councillor Lilith Fenris, standing in solidarity at the protest, emphasised, “We’re not just going to let these sort of decisions keep on happening to trans people, that we’re going to stand here as a community and fight this,” while also calling for clear guidance for local government to support trans people.
As the legal and social landscape continues to shift, the voices in Swansea are a reminder that for many, the debate is not just about legal definitions, but about the right to exist safely and authentically in public life.