AlamiThe organization that oversees Girl Guide groups in the UK has announced it is banning trans girls from joining.
Girlguiding said the move – meaning it would no longer accept biological boys who identify as girls – was in response to a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that said sex in equality law means biological sex.
The trustees said they had made it “difficult” The decision will be taken with a “heavy heart” and further announcements will be made on what it means for current members.
Trans rights organization TransActual said: “There are no problems being solved here, only harm being done.” Women’s rights charity Sex Matters said Girlguiding had done “the right thing” by making the changes.
Around 385,000 girls and young women between the ages of four and 18 across the UK take part in Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers groups.
Girlguiding said: “From today (2 December) trans girls and young women, and others who are not registered female at birth, will no longer be able to join Girlguiding as new youth members.”
Girlguiding said there would be no immediate changes for youth members, but more information would be shared next week.
It’s unclear how many people the rule change will directly impact, as the organization says it doesn’t collect data on gender identity.
“This is a decision we would not want to make and we know it could be upsetting to members of our community,” the trustees said.
“Girlguiding believes strongly in inclusion, and we will continue to support youth and adults in marginalized groups.”
In UK law, the 2010 Equality Act sets out rules for single-sex organizations and venues to be able to exclude members of the opposite sex.
In April, the Supreme Court ruled that this meant biological sex, meaning, for example, that a trans man could be excluded from a service established for men.
Draft guidelines on how to interpret the law were presented to the government for consideration in September by the equality watchdog, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). A leaked copy was reported last week, but it has not been officially published.
Girlguiding said it had made its decision after consultation with members and legal advice. Now only biologically female members will be allowed to participate in it.
It states: “Girlguiding’s governing charity documents state that the people who benefit from membership and our organization are girls and women.”
The organization was reportedly facing legal action from a parent who felt it had failed to comply with the law.
Biological girls who identify as boys are still able to join.
The organization also said that most adult roles are already open to everyone and that it is “confident that no volunteers will have to leave”.
Other adult roles are already specifically designated as female roles.
Responding to the decision, Sex Matters CEO Maya Forstater said that Girlguiding had done “the right and only thing for us”.
“Both girls and boys deserve opportunities for adventure and learning, and Girlguiding provides an organization that’s just for girls.”
Tammy Hymas of TransActually, a trans rights campaigner, said: “It is terrible that an organisation, which would happily be inclusive and has been for many years, is being forced to exclude young trans girls”.
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