That the Parliament welcomes the unanimous ruling of the Supreme Court of the UK in the case, For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, that "sex", as defined in the Equality Act 2010, is a fixed, biological characteristic; believes that the decision by the court provides definitive protection to women and girls, including in the Edinburgh Eastern constituency, gives clarity to organisations and clears up the reported confusion created by the Scottish Government in earlier rounds of this case; commends the work of For Women Scotland, namely Trina Budge, Marion Calder and Susan Smith, and the many women across Scotland who supported them in the efforts towards securing what it sees as this victory for women and girls; believes that the judgment reinforces the view that the Equality Act 2010 does not, and never has, allowed for the self-identification of sex; understands, however, that policies based on self-identification remain in place across Scotland, including in hospitals, public bodies, schools and prisons; notes the calls on the Scottish Government to take responsibility for its role in this, and further notes the calls for it to take urgent steps to ensure that public bodies are following the law and that the ruling has effect on the ground.
Supported by:
Fergus Ewing, John Mason