UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has stated that transgender individuals in the UK can toilets meant for the disabled following the UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling on sex and gender.
The ruling, made on April 19, clarified that the definition of “woman” is based on biological sex, meaning that transgender women should not use women’s restrooms.
Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Badenoch emphasized that many businesses provide toilets for for persons with disability, which are typically unisex and could be used by transgender people.
She suggested that unisex facilities should become more common in public buildings across the UK as a solution to accommodate transgender individuals.
Badenoch explained, “Almost all businesses I see have disabled loos, and they are unisex, which is different from gender-neutral. Trans people can use those.
“But if you are providing a single-sex space, it must remain single-sex, as the Supreme Court has affirmed that sex is biological, not something one can simply act upon.”
She stated that she has been “vindicated” by the ruling, as it aligns with her long-held views.
During her time as Minister for Women and Equalities, Badenoch had introduced new guidelines requiring new public buildings to include single-sex toilet facilities to counter the rise of gender-neutral restrooms.
These buildings were also instructed to include “universal lavatories,” ensuring that everyone had access to their appropriate facilities.
Baroness Falkner, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, responded to the ruling by urging trans rights groups to advocate for more unisex toilets, which she referred to as “third spaces.”
She pointed out that there is no law prohibiting the creation of such spaces but stressed that the law is clear that trans women should not use single-sex women’s restrooms.
Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, transgender women had the right to access female-only spaces. However, the new ruling ensures they will no longer be treated in the same way as individuals born female, although the court emphasised that transgender women should not face discrimination.
