“This week’s decision of the UK Supreme Court on the application of the Equality Act 2010, which does not apply in Northern Ireland, has caused a considerable amount of alarm in LGBTQIA+ communities and in particular for trans people and their families. Regardless of the legal implications, which we are working hard to understand, we implore Northern Ireland’s politicians to as a minimum to act with kindness and compassion in your words and actions going forward, even where political differences occur.
Despite some sweeping statements to the contrary, this week’s Judgement of the Supreme Court was not a ruling on the definition of a woman or of ‘sex’. Indeed, paragraph 2 of the judgement states that “It is not the role of the court to adjudicate on the arguments in the public domain on the meaning of gender or sex, nor is it to define the meaning of the word ‘woman’ other than when it is used in the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.”
Trans people, like everyone else, retain their rights under equality law in Northern Ireland to not be harassed and discriminated against in the provision of goods and services or in employment. They, like any other member of our society, have the right to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred and intolerance. This is the same today as it was yesterday.
We at the Rainbow Project will continue to work for a better Northern Ireland for LGBTQIA+ people and their families. We ask you to join us in urging our elected politicians to stand up for the rights of all people in Northern Ireland, and to refrain from words and actions which create further division when what is needed is respect for all communities”
– Scott Cuthbertson, CEO of The Rainbow Project