Understand the LGBTQIA+ news: Judgement day, one year later how the Supreme Court upended Trans+ rights in the UK

What a year, what a mess.

I watched live as the Supreme Court announced it had ruled in favour of For Women Scotland's bid to exclude trans women from the definition of 'woman' within the Equality Act. In fact, I had to re-watch it and reach out to several contacts to truly comprehend the moment.

Much like the Brexit vote ten years ago, it was a moment very few in the judiciary, political sphere or media anticipated - but it changed everything.

We'd already planned to work with Jess O'Thomson to cover the decision, but it quickly became clear that a rapid turnaround was needed. As they write for us in a reflective piece for this special edition of the newsletter, "the decision caused panic", and the immediate discourse was being driven by anti-trans voices alongside a scrabble of journalists trying to understand its meaning. But without the necessary legal expertise, confusion and misunderstanding were widespread.

While LGBTQIA+ charities and media quickly pulled together statements of concern, saying they would take their time to understand the ruling, with O'Thomson we published a comprehensive, accessible overview of the ruling in just six hours. It remains one of the most-read and most-linked-to pieces we've ever produced. It has been the go-to source for the LGBTQIA+ community, its leaders, and readers like you to understand this complex moment. It also picked up awards for its comprehensive, accessible and timely journalism. 

In the year since, we've closely followed the twists and turns, and worked with Amelia Hansford to bring you not only a full timeline of the events that followed, but everything that happened to lead up to the case too. This long-read, of which we feature a preview here in this weekend's newsletter, is perhaps the only single comprehensive resource that captures all that information in one place – and it too is written by a Trans+ journalist. Alongside our Milestones series, it adds to our growing archive that holds history to account and tells stories we've been denied.

But the tireless work that's happened since the ruling is not lost on me. Anti-trans policies looked set to sweep in without challenge, leading to segregation of Trans+ people in public life in what would have been one of the most significant changes to human rights in the UK in modern times. But that is not yet what's happened.

While the last year has been incredibly difficult, tenacious grassroots Trans+ organisations have sprung up, grown in size and doubled down on fighting back – as Ri Baroche covers in this week's Queer Gaze.

This week, "cruel and unworkable" EHRC guidance was scrapped, and though the new iteration could have its own problems, it is worth noting that without the work of people like you, alongside Trans+ activists, legal action and solidarity from allies, we'd be far worse off.

That's not to say there isn't more work to do. Last year we were the only UK media outlet to commission a Trans+ journalist to cover the news. One year later, we were one of perhaps only three UK media outlets to commission a Trans+ writer to cover the anniversary. We've worked with three Trans+ journalists to reflect on this critical moment – and if there is one thing I've learned from working with these talented creatives this week, it's this:

The fight back is strong, and progress is being made. Now it's up to all of us, to ensure we continue that work, and ensure Trans+ people are afforded the safe and happy lives they deserve, free of prejudice and discrimination.

We are Queer As F**K. And so are you.

In pride,
Jamie Wareham - QueerAF Founder

Understand the LGBTQIA+ headlines and keep track of the latest queer content and perspectives. The QueerAF newsletter is written by Jamie Wareham and a different queer creative each week.

💬 This week:

• One year later: In this special edition of the newsletter, three Trans+ journalists bring reflections, history and accountability together to look at the judgment that upended Trans+ rights in the UK.
• Scottish Labour: The party, which previously supported moves to demedicalise legal gender recognition, has pivoted to pledge segregation of Trans+ people in single-sex spaces in its manifesto. We explore this move and other news from the upcoming UK local elections in May.
• Hungary: Right-wing and increasingly authoritarian leader Viktor Orban has been ousted in the country’s elections. We look at what the change in power means for the LGBTQIA+ community and Europe.

Skip the doomscrolling and support queer creatives instead. We are QueerAF – and so are you.

Supreme Court Decision one year on – 365 days of confusion, gaslighting, and fear. What now?