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Women's group threatens legal action over single-sex spaces | Women's group threatens legal action over single-sex spaces |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Sex Matters CEO Maya Forstater said action on single-sex spaces must be taken within 14 days | |
Women's rights campaigners have handed the Scottish government a deadline to comply with the UK Supreme Court's ruling on biological sex. | Women's rights campaigners have handed the Scottish government a deadline to comply with the UK Supreme Court's ruling on biological sex. |
The Sex Matters group has issued a letter warning of legal action in 14 days if ministers continue to delay new policies and guidance. | The Sex Matters group has issued a letter warning of legal action in 14 days if ministers continue to delay new policies and guidance. |
Chief executive Maya Forstater said single-sex toilets and changing facilities must be provided, with all Scottish public bodies required to take "immediate action". | Chief executive Maya Forstater said single-sex toilets and changing facilities must be provided, with all Scottish public bodies required to take "immediate action". |
The Scottish Government says it accepts the Supreme Court judgement and is awaiting new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. | The Scottish Government says it accepts the Supreme Court judgement and is awaiting new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. |
It comes after the Supreme Court sided with women's rights campaigners in April in a landmark case against the Scottish government. | It comes after the Supreme Court sided with women's rights campaigners in April in a landmark case against the Scottish government. |
The Scottish government had argued that trans people with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) were entitled to the same sex-based protections as biological women. | The Scottish government had argued that trans people with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) were entitled to the same sex-based protections as biological women. |
Following the ruling, Scotland's first minister John Swinney said new sex-based rights guidance was being developed. | Following the ruling, Scotland's first minister John Swinney said new sex-based rights guidance was being developed. |
However, Sex Matters is urging the Scottish government to implement the Supreme Court ruling "in full, and without delay". | However, Sex Matters is urging the Scottish government to implement the Supreme Court ruling "in full, and without delay". |
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is currently consulting on a revised code of practice. | The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is currently consulting on a revised code of practice. |
It has published interim guidance, including saying trans women should not be permitted to use women's facilities in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants. | It has published interim guidance, including saying trans women should not be permitted to use women's facilities in places like hospitals, shops and restaurants. |
But Sex Matters states that the EHRC consultation was "not an invitation – particularly to public authorities – to act in a way that is unlawful in the meantime". | But Sex Matters states that the EHRC consultation was "not an invitation – particularly to public authorities – to act in a way that is unlawful in the meantime". |
The Supreme Court ruling brought strong criticism from the trans campaigners | |
It has asked the Scottish government to confirm within 14 days that it accepts that toilets and changing facilities must be provided on a biological sex basis - with any mixed-sex facilities in addition to this. | It has asked the Scottish government to confirm within 14 days that it accepts that toilets and changing facilities must be provided on a biological sex basis - with any mixed-sex facilities in addition to this. |
Sex Matters also said that any published government guidance making reference to trans people accessing single-sex spaces should be suspended immediately. | Sex Matters also said that any published government guidance making reference to trans people accessing single-sex spaces should be suspended immediately. |
It also asks the Scottish government to issue a statement requiring all of Scotland's public bodies and service providers to take immediate action on single-sex facilities. | It also asks the Scottish government to issue a statement requiring all of Scotland's public bodies and service providers to take immediate action on single-sex facilities. |
It said it was not acceptable to continue "unlawful practices" while waiting for the EHRC's updated guidance. | It said it was not acceptable to continue "unlawful practices" while waiting for the EHRC's updated guidance. |
Maya Forstater told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland that the Scottish government was "dragging its feet" | |
She said: "The Scottish government is passing the buck they should act now with leadership. They need to comply with the law now. | |
"They need to protect women and girls from being in a humiliating and degrading situations - which is what happen if you allow men into women's changing rooms and toilets." | |
Helen Joyce and Maya Forstater of Sex Matters celebrated outside the Supreme Court in April | |
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Sommerville told the programme there was "important work going on right across government" following the ruling. | |
She added: "The Scottish government accepts the decision of the Supreme Court and that is exactly why we are moving forward with work on this issue - to look at legislation, policy procedure and practices to ensure we are as always following the law." | |
The Scottish government said it would respond to the Sex Matters letter "in due course". | |
A spokesperson said: "We are reviewing policies, guidance and legislation potentially impacted by the judgement. | |
"This will prepare us to take all necessary steps when the EHRC publishes its revised statutory code of practice and associated guidance for services, public functions and associations." | |
The Supreme Court ruling in London brought strong criticism from the transgender community and their supporters who said they were being excluded from public life. | |
Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the decision could make the lives of trans people "almost unliveable". | Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the decision could make the lives of trans people "almost unliveable". |