The First Minister said he accepted the judgement, but also recognised its impact on trans people.
A rally organised by Resisting Transphobia took place in Edinburgh today.(Image: Lesley Martin/PA Wire)
John Swinney has said he “understands” the “hurt and anguish” felt by trans people following the Supreme Court verdict on the definition of a woman, as a rally protesting the decision took place in Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon.
On Wednesday, April 16, the country’s top judges unanimously ruled that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law in a case brought against the Scottish Government by the group For Women Scotland. The First Minister previously said he accepted the judgement, but also recognised the pain it has caused.
Speaking to the PA news agency during a by-election campaign, he said the verdict must be followed. He said: “Now, of course, there will be many, many people who feel very hurt by the decision that’s been taken by the Supreme Court.
“I understand that hurt and that anguish, and in my reaction to the Supreme Court judgement I’ve said two things: Firstly, that I accept the judgement of the Supreme Court because I believe in the rule of law, but secondly that I believe in the protection of the rights of everybody within our society.
“The Supreme Court made it abundantly clear that it was vital that the existing legal instruments that are in place to protect the rights of trans people continue to operate.”
Trans rights groups and community organisations took part in the rally in Edinburgh, organised by Resisting Transphobia, on Saturday, April 19.
Demonstrators gathered at the foot of The Mound before marching to Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government building in the capital.
Images taken outside show the gathered crowds holding up trans flags and placards bearing slogans supporting trans rights.
A similar protest, billed as an “emergency demonstration”, also took place at Parliament Square in London.
Crowds gathered outside the UK Government building in Edinburgh.(Image: Lesley Martin/PA Wire)
Judge Lord Hodge said that the ruling should not be seen as a triumph for either side of the debate and stressed that existing law still gives trans people protection against discrimination.
Meanwhile, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) announced it would be meeting with Health Secretary Neil Gray next week as the Government is urged to issue fresh guidance to public bodies on single sex spaces.
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It comes amid a tribunal at NHS Fife involving nurse Sandie Peggie who objected to sharing a changing room with a trans doctor.
The EHRC has warned health boards they will be pursued if they do not adhere to the law on single sex spaces.
The Scottish Tories attacked Scotland’s equalities minister last month after she told a Holyrood committee she could not “say for a fact” that every hospital was following those rules.
Asked on Saturday by PA whether he could make that promise, Mr Swinney said: “It’s important that at all times we act within the law, and the guidance the Scottish Government has made available and that boards have had to operate within has been guidance essentially generated by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
“So, obviously, in the light of the Supreme Court judgement, there will have to be a good deal of dialogue and consideration around these issues, and that will be the subject of a statement to Parliament on Tuesday.”
When pressed again whether he could make that commitment, he added: “Obviously, it’s important that the law is followed in all circumstances, and I want to make sure that’s the case.”