Transgender women are no longer allowed to use the women’s toilets in the Scottish Parliament building (Holyrood), under new rules introduced following a UK Supreme Court ruling.
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) announced that toilets designated as male or female will now be interpreted strictly based on biological sex. This decision comes in response to a recent court ruling that determined the definition of “woman” under the Equality Act 2010 refers specifically to biological sex.
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone stated that the aim of the changes is to ensure “confidence, privacy, and dignity” for all staff and visitors to the building.
As part of the changes:
All toilets designated as male or female will now only be accessible to individuals of the corresponding biological sex.
Three toilets in the public area of the building will be converted into gender-neutral facilities, open to everyone.
Accessible toilets and a changing places facility will remain available.
The SPCB emphasized that the changes are low-cost and practical, and noted that further consultations are planned in light of upcoming updates to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s guidance.
