In a landmark ruling, the UK supreme court has found that, under the Equality Act 2010, “sex” means biological sex – an unambiguous legal position with profoundly ambiguous social consequences. In doing so, the bench overruled the Scottish courts and curbed devolved lawmaking. Crucially, the court said that a gender recognition certificate (GRC) doesn’t change someone’s sex under equality legislation. The judgment offers what many policymakers – including Sir Keir Starmer – crave: clarity. Amid the fog of culture wars, it was a moment of legal lucidity.

Many women’s rights advocates saw the ruling as a firm defence of sex-based rights, especially where privacy from those perceived as male feels essential. A great number of trans people felt devastated by a judgment they fear will be weaponised. Its impact depends on

© The Guardian