Girlguiding UK implements policy excluding trans girls from joining

Girlguiding UK, the leading organization for girls and young women in the United Kingdom, has announced a significant change to its membership policy, which will now exclude transgender girls from joining as new members. The decision, effective immediately, has drawn strong reactions from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and others.

The organization stated that this policy shift, meaning individuals not recorded as female at birth will no longer be accepted as new young members, comes in response to a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year. The ruling clarified that the definition of "sex" in equality law refers to biological sex.

In a statement reported by the BBC, Girlguiding's trustees expressed that this was a "difficult decision" made with a "heavy heart," promising further announcements regarding its implications for current members. While no immediate changes are expected for existing young members, more detailed information is anticipated next week.

The new policy has been met with condemnation from trans rights organizations. TransActual criticized the move, stating, "There is no problem being solved here, only harm being done," highlighting the negative impact on transgender youth. Conversely, women's rights charity Sex Matters endorsed the decision, with CEO Maya Forstater remarking that Girlguiding had done the "right and only thing for it to do" to maintain single-sex spaces for girls.

Girlguiding, which serves approximately 385,000 girls and young women aged four to 18 through its Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers programs, indicated that its decision followed consultations with members and legal advice. The organization's governing charity documents, it stated, specify that its beneficiaries are girls and women. This action also reportedly follows potential legal challenges from a parent alleging non-compliance with existing law.

The legal framework underpinning this decision refers to the 2010 Equality Act, which permits single-sex organizations to exclude members of the opposite sex. The Supreme Court's April ruling affirmed that "sex" in this context pertains to biological sex. This ruling was further influenced by draft guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on interpreting these laws, a leaked version of which surfaced recently.

Girlguiding acknowledged the potential for distress among its community members. "This is a decision we would have preferred not to make, and we know that this may be upsetting for members of our community," the trustees said, adding, "Girlguiding believes strongly in inclusion, and we will continue to support young people and adults in marginalised groups." However, the organization does not collect data on gender identity, making the exact number of individuals directly affected by this change unclear.

It was noted that biological girls who identify as boys will still be permitted to join. Regarding adult roles, the organization confirmed that most are already open to all genders, expressing confidence that no volunteers would be forced to leave, though some adult roles remain specifically designated for females.

Tammy Hymas from TransActual voiced deep disappointment, stating, "It's awful that an organisation, which would happily be inclusive and has been for many years, is being forced to exclude young trans girls." The new policy represents a significant shift for an organization historically dedicated to empowering girls, now navigating complex legal interpretations and the evolving landscape of gender identity and inclusion.