Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner has voiced her support for the trans and gender diverse community after the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that trans women are not included as 'women' under the Equality Act 2010 (UK).
"Human rights belong to everyone. Trans and gender diverse people should be safe, respected and legally recognised." says Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody.
"The laws in the UK are not the laws of Australia. Our laws should reflect inclusion, respect and the right of all people to live with dignity."
"Trans and gender diverse people are a vital part of our community, and this moment reminds us that we must continue to advocate for the full enjoyment of human rights for all in our communities here in Australia, not retreat from it."
The court made clear that it was not its role to define gender or sex in the public domain, nor decide the meaning of what a 'woman' is in any context outside the UK's Equality Act. Trans and gender diverse people remain entitled to protections from discrimination under the UK Equality Act.
