Macc’s statement on the Supreme Court Ruling on the legal definition of sex and call to respond to the Equality and Human Right’s Commission’s Code of Practice consultation

Macc’s statement on the Supreme Court Ruling on the legal definition of sex and call to respond to the Equality and Human Right’s Commission’s Code of Practice consultation

We are deeply concerned about the harmful implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010, for the trans, non-binary and intersex community of Manchester and beyond, as well as for other groups. While we, like other organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Manchester, are still trying to understand what the ruling means for organisations and individuals, we want to reaffirm what others in our sector have said: that the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the Equality Act protects trans people against discrimination, based on Gender Reassignment, and will continue to do so.

We stand in solidarity with trans, non-binary and intersex people. The negative repercussions of this ruling are already starting to be felt, with the safety of trans, non-binary and intersex people at risk. There are also potential negative implications of the ruling for other marginalised groups, such as the wider LGBQIA+ community, gender non-conforming people, and cisgender women. It is more important than ever for allies to actively challenge discriminatory language and actions and express solidarity with the trans+ community.

We stand with the LGBTQ+ organisations and other VCSE organisations in Manchester and beyond that are working to support the trans+ community in this difficult time. As a charity rooted in values of social justice, equity and inclusion, Macc believes that the effects of this Supreme Court Ruling – and the ways in which it is being interpreted - are exclusionary and regressive. We urge all institutions and communities to work to ensure safety and inclusion of the trans+ community.

One way in which organisations and individuals can make their voices heard is to respond to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's consultation on changes to their Code of Practice as a result of the ruling (please see below for more information and guidance from the LGBT Foundation on how to do this).

We will be watching the response to this consultation and will work to share what the eventual Code of Practice means legally and practically for local VCSE organisations (which includes providers of services and organisations which manage venues). In the meantime, we are thinking about how we can model a way forward – in the spaces we create, in the places we manage – to show that inclusion is real and achievable.

Resources:

Responding to the EHRC’s Code of Practice consultation:

Read the guidance from LGBT Foundation here: https://lgbt.foundation/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LGBT-Foundation-EHRC-Consultation-Guide.pdf

Respond to the consultation here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010/codes-practice/code-practice-services-public-functions-and-associations

Allyship:

A Guide to Being a Trans Ally (LGBT Foundation): https://lgbt.foundation/help/a-guide-to-being-a-trans-ally/

Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People (The Trevor Project): https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/guide/a-guide-to-being-an-ally-to-transgender-and-nonbinary-youth/

Where to get LGBTQ+ Support Today

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