Trans supporters hold rally after 'barbaric' ruling

Protesters hold a large trans pride flag in Plymouth city centre

Protesters have gathered in a city centre in a show of support for trans people following a Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.

One of the 200 attendees at Saturday's rally in Plymouth city centre described the judges' decision as "barbaric".

Some of the group held a large trans pride flag while others carried placards, with messages including "no equality without trans women" and "trans people do and will always exist".

On Wednesday, five judges sided with campaign group For Women Scotland, unanimously ruling that the terms "woman" and "sex" in the 2010 Equality Act "refer to a biological woman and biological sex".

For Women Scotland had brought the case against the Scottish government, arguing that sex-based protections should apply only to those that are born female.

The ruling means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if "proportionate".

The Government said the decision had brought "clarity and confidence for women and service providers".

But the ruling sparked criticism from trans groups and supporters who said it would have a negative impact on the safety of trans women.

'More at risk'

Protests have been organised around the country by trans rights groups.

Giuliette Alexandria – one of the organisers of the protest at Plymouth's Armada Dial fountain – said the ruling did not create protection for anyone.

"Trans women face traditional women's rights issues like unequal pay, sexism in the workplace and harassment on the street," they said.

"The removal of trans women from the Equality Act means that they will no longer have those protections and they are now at more risk."

Ross Smith, who attended the Plymouth rally, described the ruling as "fundamentally barbaric", adding: "They're just telling people that they don't exist and ruling out half of their rights.

"Nothing good will come of this."