Girlguiding offered lifeline to remain inclusive after trans ban
Girlguiding said it had made the ‘difficult decision’ to ban trans girls from its groups. (Getty)
Girlguiding has been offered a lifeline to bring back their inclusivity policies after claiming they had “no choice” but to ban trans girls.
Legal campaigners Good Law Project have offered to defend the organisation and those like it should they face attacks for remaining trans-inclusive.
The nonprofit, which governs groups like the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers, restricted its membership applications on the basis of “biological sex” in December.
Officials said at the time they had no choice but to reverse inclusivity policies after the UK Supreme Court stipulated in an April Judgment that the 2010 Equality Act’s definition of a woman referred to biological sex only.
The judgment has prompted calls from several ‘gender-critical’ groups pressuring organisations to ban trans women from single-sex spaces, including toilets, changing rooms, and gender-specific interest groups.
Good Law Project argued in a statement last week that the claim is “outrageous”, adding that it was determined to help support the organisation through any trans-exclusionary legal attacks it could face.
“We think the law allows organisations to still remain inclusive, if they want to be,” a spokesperson said. “We’ve got independent legal advice telling us the same thing … but we know that just the threat of legal action is incredibly expensive for organisations – no matter what the law actually says.”
The legal organisation also extended the offer of support to the Women’s Institute (WI), which also scrapped its inclusive policies in the same week as Girlguiding’s announcement.
It urged supporters to email both organisations through its support page reminding them that Good Law Project is ready to defend them from any litigation they should face.
“Both organisations have done so much amazing work for women and girls – including those who are trans,” the spokesperson added. “They are leaders in the sector. But this brilliant work is being threatened by transphobic campaigners who want to force exclusion.”
Girlguiding’s decision prompted calls from former and current members, thousands of whom have urged the organisation to reaffirm its commitment in supporting all young girls, trans or cis alike.
Last month, the Charity Commission confirmed that the law did not force relevant organisations to exclude trans people from single-sex spaces or facilities.
Its CEO, David Holdworth, urged charities to exercise caution and not rush any changes to their inclusivity policies.
His comments came in response to an open letter from charity governance consultant Penny Wilson, who showed deep concern in the way that several relevant organisations were being pressured into taking unnecessary action.
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