Thousands gather in London to support trans rights following UK ruling over definition of woman

Source: AP

By KWIYEON HA and PAN PYLAS
Updated 12:02 PM CDT, April 19, 2025

LONDON (AP) — Thousands of trans rights protesters gathered in central London on Saturday, days after the U.K.'s Supreme Court ruled that a woman is someone born biologically female and that transgender women are excluded from that legal definition.

With unease growing over what the ruling means for the rights of transgender people, protesters came together for what was billed as an “emergency demonstration” in Parliament Square. Activists demanded “trans liberation” and “trans rights now,” with some waving flags and holding banners.

Trans groups are worried that Wednesday’s landmark decision would undermine their rights, even though the U.K.'s highest court said transgender people remain protected from discrimination. The head of Equality and Human Rights Commission said the ruling will mean transgender women will be excluded from women’s toilets, hospital wards and sports teams.

“It’s a terrifying time to have your rights taken away from you,” said 19-year-old transgender woman Sophie Gibbs. “I was disappointed to think that we could live in a society that seems so progressive now but is willing to make such a dangerous and harmful ruling.”



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/britain-trans-rights-protest-court-ruling-london-63efca6104673e6b8647a20a0705683f