UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UNISON allows trans woman Ellie Waple to run for female seat, defying Supreme Court ruling that defines “woman” by biological sex.
As reported by The Telegraph, UK’s largest union defies court, backs trans woman for female seat in landmark challenge to biological sex ruling.
Trans activist Ellie Waple seeks election to Unison’s executive as female disabled member representative.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Equality Act’s terms “woman” and “sex” refer to biological sex, not gender identity.
What did UNISON say about the Supreme Court ruling on gender?
In response to the Supreme Court ruling, Unison stated it “will continue to promote the workplace rights of women, trans and LGBT+ workers.”
The union said it was “carefully considering” the ruling’s impact, adding that “as stated by the Supreme Court, its judgment should not be read as a triumph of one or more groups in society at the expense of another.”
They stated,
“Unison, as the leading equalities union, will continue to promote the workplace rights of women, trans and LGBT+ workers.”
The union advised employers and organisations not to “overreact” to the ruling.
A Unison spokesman stated,
“This is an internal electoral issue. It is consistent with the union’s long-standing rules.”
What did Ellie Waple pledge in her Unison nomination statement?
Ellie Waple, 23, serves as the LGBT officer for Unison’s West Surrey branch.
According to Waple’s nomination, “the union must continue to lead the way in promoting inclusivity and fighting against discrimination in all its forms.”
It added,
“If elected, I will fight for Unison to organise a campaign to win back the funds from central government for our services, backed by national action against cuts and privatisation.”
The statement criticized Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, urging Labour to shift direction and adopt a more “anti-cuts, working-class” stance.
What did Waple say about women’s rights and trans people?
Waple stated,
“Unless advised otherwise by Unison, if elected I intend to take my seat on the NEC.”
She said,
“The biggest threat to women’s rights is not trans people, but rather the one per cent of super-powerful rich, clinging to their wealth and denying real funding for housing, domestic violence services and women’s services.”
Waple stated,
“The undemocratic and unaccountable Supreme Court ruling plays to the false narrative and agenda that trans people are a threat to women and will only serve to create a climate of fear among trans people.”
If elected, she intends to build a movement against Keir Starmer’s war and austerity policies. She will also push for the creation of a “socialist alternative.”
Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of “woman”
According to the Supreme Court’s ruling, trans women are not considered women under the Equality Act.
In a detailed 88-page judgment, Lord Hodge, sitting with Lords Reed and Lloyd-Jones and Ladies Rose and Simler, explained that the Equality Act’s definition of man and woman does not explicitly include the term “biological,” but “the ordinary meaning of those plain and unambiguous words corresponds with the biological characteristics that make an individual a man or a woman.”
Baroness Kishwer Falkner’s views on EHRC’s response to the Supreme Court ruling
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, stated,
“We are pleased that this judgment addresses several of the difficulties we highlighted in our submission to the court, including the challenges faced by those seeking to maintain single-sex spaces and the rights of same-sex attracted persons to form associations.”
What did Kemi Badenoch say about the Supreme Court ruling on gender?
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said, “The era of Keir Starmer telling us women can have penises has come to an end.”
She added,
“Saying ‘trans women are women’ was never true in fact, and now isn’t true in law either. This is a victory for all of the women who faced personal abuse or lost their jobs for stating the obvious. Women are women and men are men: you cannot change your biological sex.”
Equality Act UK
The Equality Act 2010 protects people in the UK from discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment based on:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage/civil partnership
- Pregnancy/maternity
- Race
- Religion/belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
It covers:
- Employment
- Education
- Housing
- Services (shops, banks, healthcare)
- Public services