A GROUP of trans women have staged a topless protest outside the Scottish Parliament to denounce the
recent UK Supreme Court ruling and confront what they see as the
Scottish Government’s failure to respond with strength and solidarity.
The action at a rally on Saturday called on the Scottish Government to immediately appeal the ruling to the European
Court of Human Rights.
Each protester appeared topless with a red-painted right arm, symbolising solidarity with anti-fascist feminist movements across Europe, including actions by groups such as Femen France.
Protesters also carried white roses, mourning what they describe as the death of transgender rights in the UK, and wore tape over their mouths to represent the censorship and silencing of trans voices in the legal process.
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One protester, Sugar, commented: “This ruling is not just a setback of humanitarian rights; it’s an act of erasure. It sends a truly saddening message that trans people’s fears, dignity and lives do not matter in the eyes of the Supreme Court. Trans voices were ignored in that decision. This kind of judicial disregard sets a dangerous precedent for the erosion of democracy and a descent into fascism.”
“We ask the Scottish ministers: Why have you rolled over? Why are you no longer standing up for one of the most socially marginalised communities in the developed world? This is still a Scottish issue. We urge you to use every available avenue to stand up and fight for your trans people.”
The Supreme Court ruling in April that said the words “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex, following a challenge against the Scottish Government by campaign group For Women Scotland.
The
EHRC issued interim guidance following the judgment that said trans women “should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities” in workplaces or public-facing services like shops and hospitals, with the same applying for trans men using men’s toilets.
The protesters said the ruling was "fundamentally biased and leaves the door open for authoritarianism".
Sugar added: “Today’s protest is a public act of grief, resistance, and solidarity to highlight the hypocrisy of the ruling. If the Supreme Court can see these woman legally as men then they’ll have zero issue with them going taps aff.”