How to protect your mental health as a trans person in the wake of the UK Supreme Court’s ruling

Apr 16
Written by Alastair James

$Rainbow colored light refracting onto the face of a woman. (Getty)$

The UK’s Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman is likely to cause anxiety – but you’re not alone. (Getty)

The UK's Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman is likely to cause anxiety - but you're not alone. (Getty)

The UK’s Supreme Court has ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex, and therefore excludes trans women.

“The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex,” Supreme Court judge Lord Hodge said on Wednesday (16 April).

He also clarified that “the Equality Act 2010 gives transgender people protection, not only against discrimination through the protected characteristic of gender reassignment, but also against direct discrimination, indirect discrimination and harassment in substance in their acquired gender.”

Thousands of people marched through Central London during the annual Trans Pride March. (Photo by Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The Supreme Court ruling could have wide-ranging implications for the trans and non-binary community across the country.

And while Lord Hodge has cautioned both sides involved in the case “against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another,” it is undoubtedly likely to cause worry and anxiety the trans and non-binary community and its allies.

Our social media timelines and feeds are going to be full of people chipping in with their thoughts, good or bad. The news and press is going to be full of articles, discussions, and op-eds, some designed to antagonise and cause more panic.

In this light, and in this atmosphere, here are some things you can do to safeguard your mental health.

Social media is going to be busy today, and for the next few days. Some people will be upset, some will be happy. Either way, it can all get a bit much at the best of times. So, certainly on a day like today, one thing you can do is take a step back from the apps.

Talk to (supportive) friends and family

As well as getting away from social media, talk to those close to you. Whether it’s friends, family, or just someone you know you can talk to openly, do it. Having a face to face interaction (and hopefully a hug or two) will not only be more rewarding mentally, but uplifting and healing too.

Go for a walk or do some exercise

Getting some fresh air or doing something active is a great way to take your mind off things. It also gives you a boost of endorphins which can elevate your mood.

Focus on a hobby

If you’ve got a particular hobby that will distract you from everything else, now is a really good time to invest in it. Whether it’s sewing, exercise, going to the cinema, finding an art exhibition, drawing, you name it. Spending a bit of time looking at that and not the news will do you a world of good.

Treat yourself

Whatever your comfort food is, eat it. Fancy a bit of retail therapy, buy it. If it’s going to make you feel even a little bit better, do it.

Get out your thoughts and feelings in a journal

Sometimes just writing your thoughts, whatever they are, down can help to clear your mind and allow you to focus on other things. Why not spend a bit of time putting your thoughts down, then putting them away and moving away?

Use support services

If you feel like you need an extra support, rely on the dedicated services for the community. Switchboard, the LGBT+ Helpline, has volunteers on almost constantly. You can call, email, and message them. Alternatively there are trans+-specific services like Mermaids and services across the country like LGBT+ Helpline Scotland.