For Women Scotland

{{Short description|Scottish advocacy group}} {{for|the 2024–2025 Supreme Court case brought by the organisation|For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{use British English|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox organization | name = For Women Scotland | image = Logo of For Women Scotland.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = The logo shows white letters "XX" on a blue background, within Linnaeus' female symbol. | caption = Logo | abbreviation = FWS | predecessor = | merged_into = | successor = | formation = {{Start date and age|2018|06|df=y}} | founder = | region_served = Scotland | extinction = | merger = | type = Campaign group | purpose = | headquarters = | location = | membership = | num_members_year = | leader_title = Directors | leader_name = Trina Budge <br/> Marion Calder <br/> Susan Smith | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | key_people = | main_organ = | website = {{official url}} | registration_id = SC669393 (Scotland) | status = Not-for-profit company }}

'''For Women Scotland''' ('''FWS''') is an anti-trans Scottish campaign group.<ref name="Duffy" /> It campaigns against reforms allowing individuals to change their recorded sex in legal documents by means of self-declaration,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Brooks|first=Libby|date=1 February 2019|title=Scottish feminist group says transgender laws risk women's rights|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/01/activists-in-scotland-disagree-about-transgender-legislation|access-date=11 August 2021|archive-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222230634/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/01/activists-in-scotland-disagree-about-transgender-legislation|url-status=live}}</ref> and was formed in opposition to the trans-inclusive stance of existing women's groups in Scotland.<ref name=Lamble/>

For Women Scotland has stated its beliefs "that there are only two sexes, that a person’s sex is not a choice, nor can it be changed".<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |last=Stephens |first=Max |date=9 October 2022 |title=JK Rowling calls Nicola Sturgeon a 'destroyer of women's rights' |work=The Sunday Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/10/06/jk-rowling-nicola-sturgeon-destroyer-womens-rights/ |access-date=9 October 2022 |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008201651/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/10/06/jk-rowling-nicola-sturgeon-destroyer-womens-rights/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2025, a lengthy legal campaign started by the group resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that "the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex".<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=UK Supreme Court rules legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex - live updates |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cvgq9ejql39t |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{Transgender sidebar|theory}}

== Foundation and reception == The group was established in 2018 in response to the Scottish Government's plans to reform the Gender Recognition Act.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Paciaroni|first=Sara|date=20 July 2021|title=Women Won't Wheesht: protesters in Glasgow Green are joined by comedy writer Graham Linehan|work=Herald|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19456688.women-wont-wheesht-protesters-glasgow-green-joined-comedy-writer-graham-linehan/|access-date=11 August 2021|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811174650/https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19456688.women-wont-wheesht-protesters-glasgow-green-joined-comedy-writer-graham-linehan/|url-status=live}}</ref> The directors of For Women Scotland are Trina Budge, Marion Calder, and Susan Smith.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Hyland|first=Jennifer|date=6 September 2020|title=Women's rights campaigners 'living in fear of trans attack' after vile abuse directed at group|work=Daily Record|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/womens-rights-campaigners-living-fear-22635235|access-date=11 August 2021|quote=A campaign group for women’s rights in Scotland claims it has been threatened by trans activists.|archive-date=4 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604204317/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/womens-rights-campaigners-living-fear-22635235|url-status=live}}</ref> Magdalen Berns was a co-founder.<ref name=":3" /> Calder, Berns, Budge, and Smith began making plans for the group in 2017, after having seen each other's posts on Mumsnet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Hadley |date=2025-04-19 |title=We're bloody-minded, not bigots: the women who changed gender law |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/uk-mums-supreme-court-gender-ruling-women-c0srwt565 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=The Sunday Times |language=}}</ref>

Legal scholar Sandra Duffy described For Women Scotland in 2025 as an anti-trans group.<ref name=Duffy>{{cite journal |last1=Duffy |first1=Sandra |date=2025 |title=Moral panics and legal projects: echoes of Section 28 in United Kingdom transgender discourse and law reform |journal=Gender and Justice |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=78–99 |doi=10.1332/30333660Y2024D000000008 |quote= Anti-trans groups such as the LGB Alliance and For Women Scotland were established during the period of the Bill’s genesis, and have vehemently opposed self-identification as dangerous to the rights of cisgender women and girls. |hdl=1983/f0e7ee80-71c4-416a-aa83-b54e9875e64f |hdl-access=free |url=https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/gj/1/1/article-p78.xml |doi-access=free }}</ref> Criminologist and gender studies scholar Sarah Lamble argued the "gender critical organisations For Women Scotland, and Women & Girls Scotland, were established because existing women’s groups in Scotland are trans inclusive."<ref name=Lamble>{{cite journal |last1=Lamble |first1=Sarah |title=Confronting complex alliances: Situating Britain's gender critical politics within the wider transnational anti-gender movement |journal=Journal of Lesbian Studies |date=2024 |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=504–517 |doi=10.1080/10894160.2024.2356496 |pmid=38783535 }}</ref>

Like the gender-critical groups Fair Play for Women and Transgender Trend in England, For Women Scotland formed in response to Stonewall's advocacy for trans rights, since 2015, and the perception{{by whom|date=October 2025}} that expanded trans rights would erode single-sex spaces.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Wade |first=Mike |date=2024-11-23 |title=Meet the Scottish women taking the gender battle to Britain's highest court |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/meet-the-scottish-women-taking-the-gender-battle-to-britains-highest-court-wp5jdmj8h |website=The Sunday Times |language= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424212957/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/meet-the-scottish-women-taking-the-gender-battle-to-britains-highest-court-wp5jdmj8h |archive-date=2025-04-24 |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

The group has been described as anti-trans by ''Pink News'', MSNBC, Time Magazine and ''Gay Times''<ref>{{cite news |title=Anti-trans protesters wearing suffragette colours boo Nicola Sturgeon without a hint of irony |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/03/nicola-sturgeon-anti-trans-protest-suffragette-holyrood-edinburgh/ |access-date=28 November 2021 |work=Pink News |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128234207/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/03/nicola-sturgeon-anti-trans-protest-suffragette-holyrood-edinburgh/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Scottish court rejects campaign appeal to axe trans inclusion in gender legislation |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/scottish-court-rejects-campaign-appeal-to-axe-trans-inclusion-in-gender-legislation/ |access-date=28 November 2021 |work=Gay Times |archive-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128234209/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/scottish-court-rejects-campaign-appeal-to-axe-trans-inclusion-in-gender-legislation/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PN2021">{{Cite news |last=Powys Maurice |first=Emma |date=23 August 2021 |title=Pub manager targeted by sick trolls after calling police on anti-trans group |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/08/23/i-stand-with-meb-trans-pub-manager/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825034940/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/08/23/i-stand-with-meb-trans-pub-manager/ |archive-date=25 August 2021 |access-date=25 August 2021 |work=PinkNews}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-16 |title=U.K. high court excludes trans women from legal definition of 'woman' |url=https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/uk-high-court-trans-women-legal-definition-biological-rcna201564 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=MSNBC.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite magazine |last=Burga |first=Solcyré |date= 16 April 2025|title=What to Know About the U.K. Supreme Court Transgender Ruling |url=https://time.com/7278363/what-to-know-uk-supreme-court-transgender-women-ruling/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417233720/https://time.com/7278363/what-to-know-uk-supreme-court-transgender-women-ruling/ |archive-date=17 April 2025 |access-date=18 April 2025 |magazine=TIME |quote=}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Wakefield |first=Lily |date=23 March 2021 |title=Scottish anti-trans group's bid to block to trans inclusion |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/03/23/for-women-scotland-supreme-court-gender-representation-public-boards-act/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811174645/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/03/23/for-women-scotland-supreme-court-gender-representation-public-boards-act/ |archive-date=11 August 2021 |access-date=11 August 2021 |work=PinkNews |quote=The anti-trans pressure group For Women Scotland has lost a legal battle to have trans women removed from a government act designed to increase the number of women on public boards.}}</ref> and as trans-exclusionary radical feminist.<ref name="ttimes">{{cite news |last=Horne |first=Marc |date=24 November 2021 |title=JK Rowling hails For Women Scotland in trans row |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jk-rowling-hails-for-women-scotland-in-trans-row-cbtm3m3z3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128002234/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jk-rowling-hails-for-women-scotland-in-trans-row-cbtm3m3z3 |archive-date=28 November 2021 |access-date=28 November 2021 |work=The Times}}</ref>

In November 2021, author J. K. Rowling hailed the group for its support, tweeting "Thank you, my sisters xxx."<ref name="ttimes2">{{cite news |last=Horne |first=Marc |date=24 November 2021 |title=JK Rowling hails For Women Scotland in trans row |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/jk-rowling-hails-for-women-scotland-in-trans-row-cbtm3m3z3 |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128002234/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jk-rowling-hails-for-women-scotland-in-trans-row-cbtm3m3z3 |archive-date=28 November 2021}}</ref> In October 2022, writing in ''The Sunday Times'', she described For Women Scotland as "a grassroots feminist group that has emerged as a leading voice for Scottish women over the past few years".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |date=16 October 2022 |title=JK Rowling: Sturgeon is deaf to women's concerns over gender ID |language=en |work=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/jk-rowling-nicola-sturgeon-is-deaf-to-women-s-concerns-over-gender-id-tn03x6gjv |access-date=2022-10-16 |archive-date=4 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404211539/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/jk-rowling-nicola-sturgeon-is-deaf-to-women-s-concerns-over-gender-id-tn03x6gjv |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2022, Rowling announced that Susan Smith would sit on the board of Beira's Place, a "new women-only support service for victims of sexual violence".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-12 |title=JK Rowling funds women-only rape help centre in Edinburgh |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-63943766 |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214144952/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-63943766 |url-status=live }}</ref>

For Women Scotland says that proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004 to allow 16 and 17 year olds to change their legal gender through self-identification “would erode women's rights and would violate the Equality Act 2010.”<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Simon|date=23 August 2021|title=Nicola Sturgeon facing backlash over proposed gender legislation|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/08/23/nicola-sturgeon-facing-backlash-proposed-gender-legislation/|access-date=24 August 2021|archive-date=24 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824023200/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/08/23/nicola-sturgeon-facing-backlash-proposed-gender-legislation/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also says that it supports legislation to support vulnerable groups, provided existing rights are not affected.<ref name=":4" /> The group has stated its beliefs "that there are only two sexes, that a person’s sex is not a choice, nor can it be changed".<ref name="auto"/>

== Activities == === First public meeting in Edinburgh === In February 2019, the group held its first public meeting in Edinburgh. The venue received a bomb threat and had to fly its head of security to Edinburgh from London<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-08 |title=The women who wouldn't wheesht: For Women Scotland on gender reform |url=https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,the-women-who-wouldnt-wheesht |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Holyrood Website |language=en |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314151943/https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,the-women-who-wouldnt-wheesht |url-status=live }}</ref> and attracted an audience of around 300,<ref name=":9" /> protested by about 40, and was described by ''The Guardian'' as "most public expression in Scotland of increasingly vocal concerns around transgender issues".<ref name=":4" /> Susan Smith said: <blockquote>"We are concerned that the Scottish government is sleepwalking towards a significant erosion of women's rights, both in terms of proposals to reform the GRA to allow self-identification and the failure to prevent other organisations running ahead of the law and adopting policies which are in breach of the Equality Act. We’re not here to quibble about toilets and we’re not here to create trouble for those who have battled crippling gender dysphoria. We welcome extra provisions for other vulnerable groups that don't involve dismantling existing rights. If we cannot see sex, then we cannot see sexism, we cannot define sexuality, and it is the most vulnerable women who will suffer from this."<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>

Critics of the meeting included the Intersectional feminist group Sisters Uncut Edinburgh who said: "While For Women Scot do a sterling job of making transphobia look respectable, their actions and statements do real damage to Scotland's trans and non-binary community."<ref name=":4" /> Susan Smith has since said that the campaigning of For Women Scotland “doesn’t mean that other groups can’t work out their rights but if they are only and solely dependent on taking away ours, then that’s not a movement anybody should respect.<ref name=":9" />”

=== Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 === {{See also|Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021}} During proceedings regarding the bill eventually passed as the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, For Women Scotland presented its concerns regarding free speech to the Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament: the group feared it could be prosecuted over its position on women's rights and transgender people.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hind|first=Sally|date=10 March 2021|title=Hate crime law changes- a tool to persecute women or create respect for all?|work=Daily Record|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/hate-crime-law-changes-tool-23649195|access-date=10 October 2021|archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010155050/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/hate-crime-law-changes-tool-23649195|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018=== {{See also|Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018}} In March 2021, the group lost their judicial review at the Court of Session to remove trans women from the definition of "woman" in the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018, a law intended to grow the number of women on public boards.<ref name=":2" /> The Scottish Trans Alliance had intervened, describing the case as "hurtful and pointless".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rodger|first=Hannah|date=24 November 2020|title=Equality campaigners challenge 'hurtful and pointless' legal case against Scottish Government|work=Herald|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18894523.equality-campaigners-challenge-hurtful-pointless-legal-case-scottish-government/|access-date=14 August 2021|quote=Vic Valentine, manager of Scottish Trans, explained: 'If the court throws out this legislation it will set back the rights of all women – not just trans women – to take part in public life in Scotland. We believe all women should have their voices heard by public bodies, and trans women should not be singled out to be excluded. [..] To our knowledge, there are also currently no trans people serving on public boards anywhere in Scotland, which makes this attack particularly hurtful and pointless.'|archive-date=14 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814111708/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18894523.equality-campaigners-challenge-hurtful-pointless-legal-case-scottish-government/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rodger|first=Hannah|date=11 December 2021|title=Equality campaigners to give evidence in landmark gender court case|work=Herald|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18939324.equality-campaigners-give-evidence-landmark-gender-court-case/|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=14 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814112201/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18939324.equality-campaigners-give-evidence-landmark-gender-court-case/|url-status=live}}</ref> The group appealed,<ref name=":8">{{cite news |last1=Leask |first1=David |date=10 July 2021 |title=Feminists' legal appeal against trans women being called women |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/feminists-legal-appeal-against-trans-women-being-called-women-7vvpnjnrc |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915003247/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/feminists-legal-appeal-against-trans-women-being-called-women-7vvpnjnrc |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref> and in February 2022, Lady Dorrian found in their favour, ruling that the act was outwith legislative competence.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mulholland |first=James |date=19 February 2022 |title=Ministers lose bid to redefine 'woman' for the boardroom |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/ministers-lose-bid-to-redefine-woman-for-the-boardroom-r55zdth02 |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304085618/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ministers-lose-bid-to-redefine-woman-for-the-boardroom-r55zdth02 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2022, the group sought a second judicial review, due to a "reference to the Gender Recognition Act" in revised statutory guidance of April 2022 from the Scottish Ministers on the legislation regarding representation on public boards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Second judicial review brought against Scottish government over definition of 'woman' |url=https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/second-judicial-review-brought-against-scottish-government-over-definition-of-woman |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=Scottish Legal News |date=22 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> On 13 December 2022, the Court of Session dismissed the second judicial review and ruled that the Scottish government's guidance that "woman" includes a transgender woman with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) is lawful.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Libby |title=Trans women can take seats on public boards set aside for women, Scottish judge rules|date=13 December 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/13/trans-women-can-take-seats-on-public-boards-set-aside-for-women-scottish-judge-rules |website=The Guardian |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref>

In November 2023, the group lost an appeal to the Court of Session, which ruled that trans women who hold Gender Recognition Certificates do count as female for the purposes of the Act.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-01 |title=Campaigners lose definition of 'woman' appeal bid |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-67289999 |access-date=2024-01-26 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> In February 2024, the group was granted permission to appeal the Court of Session ruling to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hunter |first=Ross |date=16 February 2024 |title=Scottish row over definition of 'woman' to head to Supreme Court |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24125114.scottish-row-definition-woman-head-supreme-court/ |work=The National |archive-date=16 February 2024 |access-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216200409/https://www.thenational.scot/news/24125114.scottish-row-definition-woman-head-supreme-court/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McKay |first=Gabriel |date=16 February 2024 |title=Supreme Court to hear appeal over definition of 'woman' |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24125862.supreme-court-hear-appeal-definition-woman/ |work=The Herald}}</ref> Funding for the legal challenge through crowdsourced donations amounted to £197,000 from 4023 donors, including £70,000 from author J. K. Rowling.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Jeremy |date=17 February 2024 |title=JK Rowling donates £70k for legal challenge on defining a woman |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/jk-rowling-donates-70k-for-legal-challenge-on-defining-a-woman-73tkvwq0b |work=The Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427054207/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/jk-rowling-donates-70k-for-legal-challenge-on-defining-a-woman-73tkvwq0b |archive-date=27 April 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanderson |first=Daniel |date=18 February 2024 |title=JK Rowling donates £70k to challenge ruling that men can become women |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/18/jk-rowlings-70k-to-challenge-ruling-men-can-become-women/ |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=The Telegraph |archive-date=18 February 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240218212912/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/18/jk-rowlings-70k-to-challenge-ruling-men-can-become-women/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":10" />

The Supreme Court heard the appeal on 26 and 27 November 2024, with judgment due in "weeks or months".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/voices/for-women-scotland-anti-trans-rights-b2654578.html|title=The Supreme Court hearing on what a 'woman' is is an existential attack on trans people like me|author=Robin Moira White|work=The Independent|date=27 November 2024|access-date=28 November 2024}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Supreme Court judges consider ruling on definition of a woman |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4gxy0w5j9o |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> For Women Scotland called on the court to find sex an "immutable biological state".<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Supreme Court: Judges retire to consider meaning of 'woman' |url=https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,supreme-court-judges-retire-to-consider-meaning-of-woman |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Holyrood Website |language=en |archive-date=1 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201191644/https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,supreme-court-judges-retire-to-consider-meaning-of-woman |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UK Supreme Court hearing appeal case on definition of a woman |url=https://news.sky.com/story/uk-supreme-court-hearing-appeal-case-on-definition-of-a-woman-13261072 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=27 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127002148/https://news.sky.com/story/uk-supreme-court-hearing-appeal-case-on-definition-of-a-woman-13261072 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Scottish Government argued that someone who had acquired status as a woman using a gender recognition certificate was entitled to protections under the Equality Act just as those who were women at birth were.<ref name=":13" />

On 16 April 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the definitions of "man", "woman", and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 referred to biological sex, deeming that it would be "incoherent" to include trans people with GRCs in these categories. The judges said they were not ruling more broadly on the definition of "sex" or whether trans women are women in other contexts, saying "it was not the role of the court to adjudicate on the meaning of gender or sex".<ref name="NYT1">{{Cite web |date=16 April 2025 |title=U.K. Top Court Says Trans Women Are Not Legally Women Under Equality Act |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/world/europe/uk-supreme-court-woman-definition-trans.html |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2025 |title=The supreme court didn't rule on the definition of 'a woman' – this is what its judgment does mean |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/16/supreme-court-definition-woman-judges-law#:~:text=Except%20it%20hasn%27t.%20As%20the%20court%20says%2C,the%20provisions%20of%20the%20[Equality%20Act]%202010.%E2%80%9D |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> Lord Hodge counselled against interpreting the ruling as "a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another", reaffirming that trans people remain protected from discrimination under other provisions of the Equality Act that classify "gender reassignment" as a protected characteristic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-16 |title=What does Supreme Court definition of a woman ruling mean? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqx4z2ln2j3o |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":63">{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Sophie |date=2025-04-16 |title='We'll get through this together': Reactions to Supreme Court's trans ruling |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/04/16/supreme-court-ruling-reaction-trans/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=PinkNews |language=en-US}}</ref>

Following the ruling, the group received messages including death threats and hostility towards women.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Freeman |first1=Hadley |last2=Urwin |first2=Rosamund |last3=Yorke |first3=Harry |last4=Turvill |first4=William |last5=Hauschild |first5=Dominic |date=2025-04-20 |title=Supreme Court victors getting death threats in gender ruling backlash |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/women-threatened-statues-defaced-supreme-court-trans-mwv6dvpz2 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=The Sunday Times |language=}}</ref>

In August 2025, For Women Scotland made a legal application for the Scottish government’s policies on schools and prisons to be quashed, on the basis that they were not in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish ministers face legal action over policies 'inconsistent' with UK gender ruling|date=17 August 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/17/scotland-government-legal-action-uk-supreme-court-gender-ruling |website=theguardian.com |publisher=Guardian |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref>

=== Police investigation involving Marion Millar === In June 2021, Marion Millar, an accountant from Airdrie who worked for the group as their accountant, was charged in connection with tweets alleged to be homophobic and transphobic, and was interviewed at Coatbridge police station under the Communications Act 2003.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Libby |date=4 June 2021 |title=Gender-critical feminist charged over allegedly transphobic tweets |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/04/gender-critical-feminist-charged-over-allegedly-transphobic-tweets |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811173018/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/04/gender-critical-feminist-charged-over-allegedly-transphobic-tweets |archive-date=11 August 2021 |access-date=11 August 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> A spokesperson for FWS said: "Marion is naturally upset that the police have decided to press ahead with charges. [...] Sadly, in Scotland, it seems both free speech and women's rights are under attack."<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news|first1=Mike|last1=Wade|access-date=2022-03-14|title=Activist Marion Millar charged with sending homophobic and transphobic tweets|newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/activist-marion-millar-charged-with-sending-homophobic-and-transphobic-tweets-5293jhg6v|issn=0140-0460|location=London|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129095235/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/activist-marion-millar-charged-with-sending-homophobic-and-transphobic-tweets-5293jhg6v|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2021, FWS organised a rally in support of Marion Millar on Glasgow Green, addressed by Graham Linehan, among others.<ref name=":1" />

On 28 October 2021 the Crown Office discontinued all proceedings against Marion Millar pending a review of the case.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Tom |date=28 October 2021 |title=Prosecutors discontinue 'hate crime' case against Scots feminist Marion Millar |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19678238.prosecutors-discontinue-hate-crime-case-scots-feminist-marion-millar/ |work=The Herald |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028092005/https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19678238.prosecutors-discontinue-hate-crime-case-scots-feminist-marion-millar/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2022-03-14|title=Scottish prosecutors drop transphobia case against Marion Millar|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/28/scottish-prosecutors-drop-transphobia-case-against-marion-millar|date=28 October 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325175350/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/28/scottish-prosecutors-drop-transphobia-case-against-marion-millar|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== The "Women's Rights Demo" at the Scottish Parliament ===

On 1 September 2021, the group organised a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, demanding that the SNP-Green government "protect their sex-based rights". Demonstrators called on MSPs to "respect women's rights, and single-sex spaces and services, and not to allow men identifying as women to use them." The Herald estimated there were 400 people in the main demo, and 100 at a counter-protest.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|last=Gordon|first=Tom|date=2 September 2021|title=Sturgeon booed by Holyrood demo for 'ignoring women's rights'|work=The Herald|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19554065.sturgeon-booed-holyrood-demo-ignoring-womens-rights/|access-date=2 September 2021|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902111043/https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19554065.sturgeon-booed-holyrood-demo-ignoring-womens-rights/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Marion Calder of For Women Scotland, said: "They need to understand that women won't wheesht, that they need to consider women's rights within any piece of legislation, especially over the next year, whether it is self-ID, GRA reform, the census, or the impact of the Hate Crime Bill and the chilling effect on women's rights and being unable to speak out."<ref name=":7" />

===Provision of single-sex lavatories in schools=== {{See also|Unisex public toilet}} In June 2022, the group wrote to the 32 Scottish councils asking that they provide single-sex facilities in schools.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Boothman |first=John |date=12 June 2022 |title=Pull chain on unisex school loos, say activists |work=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/pull-chain-on-unisex-school-loos-say-activists-mvrvkqlmx |access-date=12 June 2022 |archive-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612161815/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pull-chain-on-unisex-school-loos-say-activists-mvrvkqlmx |url-status=live }}</ref> The letter quotes a legal opinion by Aidan O'Neill QC that gender-neutral facilities breach equality law, and claims that they cause distress to female pupils.<ref name=":5" />

===Controversy over "eunuch" as a gender identity=== In June 2022, the group criticised NHS Scotland for its alignment with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), following the accidental publication on an NHS Scotland website of a Standards of Care document from WPATH that argued for the recognition of "eunuch" as a gender identity.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Wade |first=Mike |date=18 June 2022 |title=Health chiefs apologise over claim that eunuch should be gender identity |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/nhs-scotland-apologises-for-saying-eunuch-should-be-gender-identity-z8jcvrr6m |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618104508/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-scotland-apologises-for-saying-eunuch-should-be-gender-identity-z8jcvrr6m |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last=Sanderson |first=Daniel |date=15 June 2022 |title='Eunuch' should be a gender, according to Scottish NHS |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/06/15/scottish-nhs-eunuch-should-gender/ |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=16 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616034042/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/06/15/scottish-nhs-eunuch-should-gender/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mcilkenny |first=Stephen |date=16 June 2022 |title=Investigation launched after documents published by Scottish NHS in error stated that eunuch should be recognised as formal identity |work=The Scotsman |url=https://www.scotsman.com/health/investigation-launched-after-documents-published-by-scottish-nhs-in-error-stated-that-eunuch-should-be-recognised-as-formal-identity-3734369 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618104541/https://www.scotsman.com/health/investigation-launched-after-documents-published-by-scottish-nhs-in-error-stated-that-eunuch-should-be-recognised-as-formal-identity-3734369 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Protest against Gender Recognition Reform Bill at the Scottish Parliament=== {{See also|Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill}} In October 2022, the group organised a protest against the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill at the Scottish Parliament.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=White |first=Debbie |date=7 October 2022 |title=I'm a real feminist, Nicola Sturgeon says after JK Rowling T-shirt jibe |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/jk-rowling-t-shirt-calls-nicola-sturgeon-destroyer-of-womens-rights-r2nskrcx5 |access-date=9 October 2022 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> Speakers included Maya Forstater, Helen Joyce, and Johann Lamont.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Jolene |date=6 October 2022 |title=Edinburgh protest against gender recognition reforms outside Scottish Parliament |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/edinburgh-gra-protest-campaigners-rally-outside-scottish-parliament-against-gender-recognition-reform-3869299 |access-date=9 October 2022 |website=Edinburgh Evening News |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009194236/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/edinburgh-gra-protest-campaigners-rally-outside-scottish-parliament-against-gender-recognition-reform-3869299 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wade |first=Mike |title=Self-ID plan may cause cross-border problems |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/self-id-plan-may-cause-cross-border-problems-87xnsm2vq |access-date=2022-10-09 }}</ref> In support, J. K. Rowling said on Twitter that: "I stand in solidarity with For Women Scotland and all women protesting and speaking outside the Scottish parliament. #NoToSelfID."<ref name=":6" /> She also tweeted a picture of herself wearing a T-shirt that said, "Nicola Sturgeon . . . destroyer of women's rights".<ref name=":6" /> In response, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said ""I’ve spent my entire life campaigning for women’s rights and I’m a passionate feminist with lots of evidence behind that… The gender recognition bill which comes before the Scottish parliament in a couple of weeks time is about reforming an existing process. It doesn’t give any more rights to trans people, and it doesn’t take any more rights away from women".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/10/07/nicola-sturgeon-trans-rights-jk-rowling-bbc-today-show/ |title=Nicola Sturgeon shuts down anti-trans misinformation after JK Rowling backs gender law protest |last=Wakefield |first=Lily |date=7 October 2022 |access-date=9 October 2022 |work=PinkNews |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008072029/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/10/07/nicola-sturgeon-trans-rights-jk-rowling-bbc-today-show/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''Battle of Ideas'' festival === In December 2022, the group shared a platform with members of the Scottish Family Party at a ''Battle of Ideas'' festival event in Glasgow, calling for “education not indoctrination” in schools.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Elliards |first=Xander |date=4 December 2022 |title=Row over For Women Scotland director appearing at 'festival of hate' jibe |language=en |work=The National |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23168364.row-women-scotland-director-appearing-festival-hate/ |access-date=26 December 2022 |archive-date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226170615/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23168364.row-women-scotland-director-appearing-festival-hate/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Advocacy groups in the United Kingdom Category:2018 establishments in Scotland Category:Gender-critical feminism Category:Feminist organisations in Scotland Category:Organisations that oppose transgender rights in the United Kingdom