Our response to the recent Supreme Court ruling

The Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers has understandably affected many of our colleagues and members. 

 The ruling reiterated that women have rights to single sex spaces and that trans people are protected under the Equality Act 2010. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has provided interim guidance, but given the nature of the complex issues raised by the ruling, we will look forward to more detailed advice from the EHRC to enable us to work through the nuance of the challenges that some of our members might face.

As the judges cautioned in their ruling, this should not be seen as a triumph of one group in society at the expense of another. The judges said the ruling aims to provide clarity and consistency between the Equality Act 2010 and Gender Recognition Act 2004, and the practical implications are still being worked out.  

We know many people have strong views on this. We're committed to upholding and protecting everyone's rights, now and always. It's a commitment we stand by because we believe in the value and dignity of every individual. 

Our trans members have told us they are feeling anxious and vulnerable. They are and will always be a part of the occupational therapy profession and the communities we serve. The strength of occupational therapy lies in recognising and valuing the uniqueness of each individual. Transphobia, discrimination and hate have no place in our profession. We want to build an inclusive and safe environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. 

This news item was updated on 28 April 2025