Thousands call on Girlguiding to reverse ‘out of touch’ trans ban
Girlguiding has banned trans girls from joining its groups. (Getty)
Girlguiding has banned trans girls from joining its groups. (Getty)
Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for Girlguiding to reverse its ban on trans girls joining its groups.
The national governing nonprofit made the “difficult decision” this week to restrict its groups, including the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers, to so-called “biologically female” children.
A spokesperson said amendments to its Equality and Diversity Policy, enacted on Tuesday (2 December), were made following “detailed considerations” in the wake of the Supreme Court’s judgement on the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of a woman.
Former members of Girlguiding’s groups said they were saddened that trans girls would be denied the right to join a “cherished community,” calling the move a “betrayal.”
In a petition published hours after the announcement, Girlguiding volunteer Jenny Thompson said trans kids “deserve a safe, nuturing space” just like any other child.
Her call for Girlguiding UK to reverse its amendments had been signed by nearly 4,000 people less than 24 hours after the announcement.
“The Girlguiding UK’s decision lacks both compassion and understanding of the very principles the organisation stands for,” she said, arguing the move feels “out of touch” with the organisation’s commitment towards inclusivity.
A spokesperson for Girlguiding said the organisation was still committed to inclusion, vowing to continue supporting young people and adults in marginalised groups.
“Over the next few months, we will continue to explore the oppoertunities to champion this value and actively support young people who need us.”
Girlguiding caves to pressure from legal challenge over trans inclusion
Girlguiding, which had been trans-inclusive since 2017, faced legal action last month after a parent claimed its trans policy “exposes girls to harassment.” There have been no known cases of harassment by trans members or volunteers in Girlguiding groups.
All adult volunteer roles, including unit helpers, district helpers, and administrative support, will remain inclusive of all genders, including cisgender men.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court’s judgement that the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of a woman related to ‘biological sex’, prompted the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to recommend banning trans people from gender-exclusive spaces and facilities.
While the EHRC claimed the ruling nullified the right of trans people with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) to access certain spaces, experts have argued this is based on a misinterpretation of equality law.
Furthermore, trans under-18s are unable to obtain a GRC, which changes sex markers on official documents such as birth certificates, passports, and IDs.
Barrister Oscar Davies told PinkNews in September that equality law is “permissive rather than exclusionary,” saying that the EHRC “keeps getting it wrong.”
“If you have a single-sex space, my interpretation is that a trans person can still go into that single-sex space, but if someone complains, they can bring out a sex discrimination claim or the organisation can exclude that person,” they said. “But that doesn’t happen automatically.
“The Equality Act is meant to be a shield rather than a sword. It’s not meant to attack people and get rid of their rights.”
PinkNews has contacted Girlguiding UK to comment on whether its updated policy will allow trans boys to enter its groups.
