Supreme Court ruling puts ‘target’ on trans people

Transcyclist Emily Bridges believes that after the UK Supreme Court ruled the legal definition of “women” and “sex,” he painted a “target” behind Trans Peoples.

Last week’s court ruling said that the terms “sex” and “female” in the 2010 Equality Act meant “biological sex” and “biological women,” increasing the vulnerability of trans people, Bridges said.

“You think and leave the house: ‘This is the day someone screams at me, will you attack me?” she added. “It may be on the rise now, but it has always been a reality for trans people and has been forever.”

Announced the court’s unanimous decision, Judge Patrick Hodge said:

Despite this, Bridge expressed her distrust and told ITV News Sports editor Steve Scott:

Bridges, banned from the UK’s Cycling Championship in 2022, believed the ruling would allow anti-trans people to “feel more comfortable expressing hatred opinions.” She went on to say: “It was about trans people, not just people of color, immigrants, religious minorities, and there was a huge increase in sexism.

“What’s been said now would have never dreamed 10 years ago. No one cared about us 10 years ago, it’s manufactured. The public doesn’t care about us, they care about being able to pay rent or put food on the table.”

Bridges noted that she still has the right to use unity space, regardless of judicial precedent.

“I am perceived as a woman on the street. I am greeted with a ‘mistake’. She is recognized as a woman. Uses a women’s changing room. I’m going to use the women’s toilet,” she insisted.

“Policing the toilet that is already happening is something you’re asked to leave if you’re not welcome. That’s how it works. The solution is definitely not male toilets, female toilets, trances, or disabled toilets.

Experts and LGBTQ+ groups have warned that court decisions could have disastrous consequences on the rights of trans and non-binary people. Simon Blake, CEO of Stonewall, has expressed “deep concern” about the meaning.

Helen Belcher, chairman of LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization Transact, was “devastated” by the outcome of the trial.

“The Supreme Court prefers to choose not to hear from trans people and instead listen to exclusive groups,” Belcher said. “Instead of making it clear, the Supreme Court has ruled that appears to contain many contradictions.”

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