Women's Institute vows to 'keep welcoming trans women'

"On 16 April 2025, the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland vs Scottish Ministers decided the protected characteristic of "sex" for the purposes of the 2010 Equality Act means "biological sex" only and does not include trans people."

"The NFWI announced in December that, from April 2026, it will ban trans women from joining its chapters by only accepting members on the basis of "biological sex". According to reports, the decision forced at least 12 WI groups to close or consider closure, including the WI in Manchester, which closed after a majority of its membership quit."

"The updates recommended the exclusion of trans people from facilities including toilets, changing rooms, and gender-specific organisations. The guidance stated that "in some circumstances" trans people could be stopped from using spaces based on their 'biological sex'."

Following a Supreme Court ruling that defined sex as biological sex only under the 2010 Equality Act, the Equality and Human Rights Commission updated guidance recommending trans people's exclusion from single-sex spaces and gender-specific organisations. The National Federation of Women's Institutes implemented a policy banning trans women from joining its chapters from April 2026, accepting members only on the basis of biological sex. Despite this, the NFWI stated it would seek ways to keep welcoming trans women through new sisterhood groups. The policy prompted at least 12 WI groups to close or consider closure, including Manchester Women's Institute, where members quit in protest of the decision.

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