Women’s Institute expresses ‘deep regret’ as it bans trans women after Supreme Court ruling
Transgender women will be banned from joining the Women’s Institute from April next year, with the organization saying it has “no choice” following a Supreme Court ruling.
While it was stated that the decision, which overturned a 40-year-old policy, was taken “with great sadness and sadness”, it was also stated that the “firm belief that trans women are women” was maintained.
The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) said the U-turn follows the Supreme Court’s decision on biological sex earlier this year.
It comes just a day after Girlguiding announced it would ban trans girls from taking part.
NFWI CEO Melissa Green said: “It is with great sadness and regret that we must announce that we will no longer be able to offer formal membership to trans women from April 2026.
“As an organization that has proudly welcomed trans women into our membership for over 40 years, this is not something we would do unless we feel we have no choice.
“In order to continue operating as the Women’s Institute, a legally recognized women’s organization and charity, we must comply with the Supreme Court’s decision and limit official membership to biological women only. However, this change relates only to our membership policy and does not change our firm belief that trans women are women.”
NFWI said it could no longer “lawfully offer formal membership to transgender women” after the Supreme Court decision, but that the organization “will continue to put forward programs that will continue to expand friendship, sisterhood and support for transgender women.”
Trans rights groups reacted with dismay to the Supreme Court decision, warning that it would “prevent transgender people from participating in UK society altogether”.
In April, the court ruled that trans women are not legally women under the Equality Act.
Five judges of the UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the terms “woman” and “gender” in the Equality Act refer to biological women and biological sex; Experts have warned that this could have far-reaching consequences for trans women’s rights to benefit from services and spaces reserved for women.
In response to the court ruling, the Equality and Human Rights Commission produced guidance dubbed the “misogynist statute” following reports that transgender people could be banned from single-sex spaces based on their appearance.
The document was sent to ministers almost four months ago but has not yet been published as the government faces pressure to explain the delays.
Under the new regulations, places such as hospital wards, gyms and leisure centers will reportedly be able to query transgender women about whether they should use single-sex services based on their appearance, behavior or concerns raised by others, according to the Times.
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