I keep ending up writing about trans rights in these intros. Not by design, just because right now the headlines are relentless. This time, it’s the UK Supreme Court's ruling that says the legal definition of “woman” is based on biological sex. We dig into it more in this issue, but what’s stuck with me is the tabloid response.

“Common sense prevails.” Really? Common sense for whom?

Trans people make up a tiny part of the UK population. Most of the people writing or cheering these headlines probably don’t even know a trans person. So what exactly do they think they’re protecting? This is being framed as a win for women’s rights. But let’s be honest—those demanding “biological women only” spaces aren’t picturing trans women. They’re imagining cis men pretending to be women. That’s not who trans women are. And have they even thought this through? By the same logic, would a trans man—still “biologically female”—be allowed in a women-only space? These arguments don’t protect women, they target people already at risk who just want to live safely and be treated with dignity.

People will argue about fairness, risk, biology, but is it really so hard to accept that people exist in more than two boxes? Trans people aren’t going away, and no court ruling will stop them—or those who stand with them—from fighting for the rights they deserve.

Oliver - Director of Marketing

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LET'S GET INTO IT 👇

New study shows gender-affirming care improves trans men’s wellbeing

A new study from Nottingham Trent University has found that gender-affirming care—like hormone treatment—can significantly improve trans men’s quality of life, especially when it’s paired with supportive, inclusive environments.

What did the research show?

The study looked at 166 trans men and found that those who had access to gender-affirming care felt better physically and mentally. They reported feeling more at ease in their bodies, with greater body confidence and a stronger sense of gender alignment. While the care had less impact on things like social and environmental wellbeing, researchers suggest this may be because many trans men find strong community support among each other.

Why does this matter for inclusion?

The findings highlight the importance of making gender-affirming healthcare accessible and inclusive. Trans men face unique challenges, and this research shows that the right care really can make a difference. As conversations about trans rights and healthcare continue, this is a reminder that supporting people to live as themselves—comfortably and confidently—is essential.

Study claiming ethnicity isn't linked to school exclusions heavily criticised

A new study has suggested that ethnicity does not significantly influence school exclusions or academic results once poverty and learning support needs are considered. But Black academics, campaigners and politicians have pushed back, saying the research ignores how systemic racism affects education.

What are the concerns with the research?

Researchers from Durham and Birmingham universities argue that poverty and special educational needs explain exclusion and attainment gaps—making ethnicity less relevant. But critics like Professor Kehinde Andrews and MP Diane Abbott say this view overlooks how racism shapes those very factors. Black pupils are more likely to experience poverty, and more likely to be labelled as having learning needs. Campaigners say separating these issues from ethnicity simply doesn’t reflect reality.

Why erasing ethnicity risks real harm

Black Caribbean pupils are still more than twice as likely to be permanently excluded as white pupils. Critics argue that ignoring ethnicity risks giving schools and policymakers a reason not to confront racism. While the researchers say their analysis focuses on measurable factors like poverty and learning needs, campaigners warn that lived experience must remain central if we’re serious about tackling inequality in education.

UK Supreme Court rules ‘woman’ means biological sex in Equality Act

The UK’s highest court ruled last week that the word “woman” in the Equality Act refers only to biological sex, excluding trans women from that legal definition—even if they hold a Gender Recognition Certificate.

What was the case about?

The challenge was brought by For Women Scotland, a gender-critical group backed by JK Rowling, after a Scottish law allowed trans women to serve on public boards in roles reserved for women. The UK supreme court overruled two lower courts and sided with the campaigners, stating that the Equality Act must be read as referring to sex at birth—not legal gender.

The justices said that using gender identity instead would create “practical difficulties” and “two sub-groups” of women, which would make applying the law unclear. They argued that single-sex spaces like changing rooms, hostels and refuges must be based on biological sex to be legally protected.

Why the ruling has sparked serious concerns

Trans rights groups, including Scottish Trans and Amnesty International, say the ruling reverses 20 years of legal understanding and could restrict access to essential services and spaces for trans people. Critics argue that the idea this will make women “safer” is not supported by evidence—and risks fuelling stigma.

While the court confirmed trans people are still protected under the Equality Act from discrimination through the characteristic of gender reassignment, campaigners warn that this ruling chips away at those protections in practice.

Scottish Trans said: “We are really shocked by the supreme court's decision... We will continue working for a world in which trans people can get on with their lives with privacy, dignity and safety.”

Amnesty International, which backed the Scottish government’s defence, called the ruling “disappointing” and said it raised “potentially concerning consequences for trans people.”

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