Thousands of trans activists launch 'emergency protest' after Supreme Court gender rulings

have gathered in central London demanding "liberation" and "trans rights now". Supporters, trade unions and community organisations came together for what was billed as an “emergency demonstration” which started in Parliament Square before heading towards St James’s Park. Some were spotted waving flags and holding banners which read “No feminism without” and “Biology is not binary”.

In a long-awaited judgment delivered on Wednesday, the UK’s highest court confirmed the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act “refer to a biological woman and biological sex”. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if “proportionate”. Britain’s equalities watchdog says the ruling means trans women cannot use single-sex female toilets, changing rooms or compete in women’s sports.

The Government said the unanimous decision by five judges brought “clarity and confidence” for women and service providers, while a source said Prime Minister Sir had brought the party to a “common sense position” on the subject from an “activist” stance.

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The protest in london saw at least two statues in Parliament Square daubed with graffiti during the rally, with “fag rights” and a heart painted on the banner held by suffragette Millicent Fawcett, and “trans rights are human rights” sprayed on the pedestal bearing a memorial to South African military leader and statesman Jan Christian Smuts. Another demonstration is expected in Edinburgh today, with protesters gathering at the foot of the Mound and marching to the UK government building.

A spokesperson for Trans Kids Deserve Better said: “The transmisogyny that led to this court ruling is unacceptable. Though this ruling has brought another wave of fear to the trans community, we will continue to fight for our rights and freedoms. When you attack trans women you attack all trans people and all women. Our rights do not oppose each other, they go hand in hand, and we will keep fighting until we’re all free.”

Avery Greatorex, co-chair of Pride in Labour, told the PA news agency: "The protest was organised to put pressure on the Government, on the public to act. To be able to secure the rights of transgender people and to secure those protections, we need legislative power and we need lobbying power.”

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were named as supporters of the protest, but a spokesperson told the Mail that the union has "not authorised the use of our logo on any materials relating to this demonstration". The RMT added it has "not taken any position on this event".

Follwoing the ruling on Wednesday, Irish acting star helped to raise more than £100,000 for a trans rights charity. The Bridgerton and Derry girls actress said she was “completely horrified” and “disgusted” by the ruling and said she would match donations up to £10,000 to transgender charity Not A Phase. The fundraiser has since raised £103,018, with a revised target of £110,000.

Others including teaching unions, Scottish Government officials and former prisoners have expressed their concerns. Teachers have said there are "concerned" about the potential impact on puils, according to Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union.

“Following the Supreme Court judgment, the NASUWT has been contacted by teachers concerned about the implications for them and for the pupils they teach.," Mr Roach said. “The implications of the legal judgment will need to be considered carefully, and it is vital that the Government provides clarity and guidance to schools and colleges as quickly as possible.”

Draft guidance for schools and colleges on how best to support pupils questioning their gender was published by the Government in December 2023 when the Conservatives were in power. It said that “parents should not be excluded” from decisions taken by a school or college relating to requests for a child to “socially transition”, such as wishes to change names, pronouns and clothing.

The draft guidance said schools and colleges should make parents aware if their child requests a change – except in the “very rare situation” where parental involvement may raise a “significant risk of harm” to the child. It added that schools “must always protect single-sex spaces” with regard to toilets, showers and changing rooms.

A Government spokesperson said: “This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as , refuges and sports clubs. It’s vital that we ensure young people, no matter their background, can access the opportunities to thrive. That’s why schools are required to comply with their safeguarding duties and make arrangements which protect the privacy, dignity and safety of all pupils.”