Latest news with #FWS
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
For Women Scotland mull new legal action against Scottish Government
The anti-trans campaign group who took the case over the meaning of biological sex to the UK's highest court, and won, has now claimed the key motivation of the case has been lost amongst a growing debate on toilets. The Supreme Court ruled that under the Equality Act 2010, a woman was defined by biological sex, excluding trans people with a gender recognition certificate (GRC). Following the judgment in April, the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued interim guidance that banned transgender people from using the toilets of their acquired sex. READ MORE: Ian Murray 'does not understand how devolution works', minister says The contentious guidance was branded as 'cruel', and now a consultation, which has been extended, is now underway before full guidance is published. The fallout from the ruling also saw trans women banned from taking part in women's football and cricket. Speaking at a fringe event at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh this weekend, For Women Scotland (FWS) co-director Susan Smith claimed there has been 'extraordinary pushback' following the judgment. 'We don't want to go back to court, we really, really don't, but if we don't see some action that may be something we will have to consider,' she told journalists afterward. Smith (below, left) said there were concerns about the lack of action by the Scottish Government on prisons and school guidance. 'We have spoken to the Scottish government and asked them to withdraw some of this guidance, just to say that it's under review – they don't have to re-issue anything at this point – because it's clearly unlawful, we really do need some action,' she said. 'They're telling us they have to wait for the EHRC revised guidance and we don't believe this is true.' The EHRC guidance said that it is 'compulsory' for workplaces to offer single-sex toilets and changing facilities. It said that trans women should not be allowed to use women's facilities and trans men should not be allowed to use men's facilities as 'this will mean that they are no longer single-sex facilities and must be open to all users of the opposite sex'. The guidance then went on to say that trans people 'should not be put in a position where there are no facilities for them to use'. READ MORE: UK jets being sent to the Middle East as Keir Starmer refuses to rule out defending Israel Smith claimed there has been too much focus on the issue of toilets. 'I wish we could stop talking about toilets all the time, because that wasn't really the reason we went to court,' she said. 'We went to court about the prisons, about the rape crisis centres, about the hospitals, where people are uniquely vulnerable.' It comes after Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who donated to FWS crowdfunder to take their case to the Supreme Court, set up a fund to challenge public service providers and employers over the issue. 'We really need people to start challenging where they feel that organisations, local councils are not implementing the law,' Smith said. 'We're very fortunate to have the fighting fund that JK Rowling set up and that will make a massive difference because when people start to realise that there's a cost maybe they will start to apply the law.' Current Scottish Prison Service (SPS) guidance states trans women prisoners cannot be housed on the female estate if they have been convicted of serious offences. A spokesperson for SPS said: 'We have received the supreme court's judgment and are considering any potential impact it may have.' The Scottish Government said it has 'been clear that we accept the supreme court judgment'. 'As the judgment relates specifically to the guidance issued under the Scottish Government's Gender Representation on Public Boards 2018 Act and stated that it was incorrect in relation to the definition referred to of 'woman' under the Equality Act, the guidance has now been removed and will be updated shortly to reflect the judgment,' a spokesperson said. 'The Scottish Government has already begun work on implementation. We have established a Short Life Working Group to ensure support and consistency across Government.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists raise red flag over concerning trend among polar bears — here's why it has bigger implications
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has estimated that there have been sharp declines in Alaska's polar bear population. Alaska polar bears face serious threats because of rising global temperatures and human activity. As Defenders of Wildlife reported, approximately one-tenth of the global polar bear population lives around Alaska's Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea. The estimates of their numbers from earlier this year signal that polar bears' livelihood is at risk, and their long-term survival prospects are dim. The FWS estimated that only approximately 819 polar bears are in the Southern Beaufort Sea population. Bears in this region saw a 40% population decline during the 2000s. They are considered one of the most at-risk populations of polar bears worldwide. Along the Chukchi Sea, the FWS estimated the polar bear population to be around 2,937. Although this population is considered more stable than that of the Beaufort Sea, officials aren't fully confident in the accuracy of this number since tracking them is quite challenging. The Alaskan polar bear population's decline is attributed to sea ice declines and behavioral changes, as bears must spend more time on land in the summer. Oil and gas development also threatens polar bear habitats because drilling and dirty energy exploration projects displace them and destroy the resources they need to survive. Declining polar bear populations disrupt the Arctic food chain and the people and animals who rely on the region's natural resources. Polar bears are the top predators in the region and help balance the natural ecosystem. Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated issue to just Alaska. Polar bears also struggle to survive in other regions, while even grizzly bears are dying in increasingly disturbing numbers because of environmental conditions and extreme weather shifts. Polar bear population declines indicate the overall health of the Arctic environment and are a cultural symbol for Indigenous communities. Protecting and rebuilding their populations is crucial to preserving regional biodiversity and cultural heritage. Fortunately, scientists have been improving polar-bear tracking strategies to monitor their populations and inspire conservation efforts. Reducing our world's reliance on dirty energy and choosing clean energy for power can slow the steadily rising temperatures and help protect polar bears. As an individual, you can spread the news about declining polar bear populations by discussing critical climate issues like sea ice melt and oil drilling with people you know. You can also contact your elected officials to urge them to support sustainable policies that protect polar bears. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
‘We don't want to go back to court', says women's group over gender ruling delay
For Women Scotland (FWS) challenged the meaning of a woman in the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act, with the UK's highest court ruling the definition in the 2010 Equality Act referred to biological sex. The decision is likely to have far-reaching implications for transgender people in accessing services, but the Scottish Government has declined to make changes to guidance until the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issues its own guidance, which is expected to take place in the coming months. But speaking at a fringe event at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh, FWS co-director Susan Smith said the group was considering a further legal challenge against the Government. Speaking to journalists after the event, she said: 'We have spoken to the Scottish Government and asked them to withdraw some of this guidance, just to say that it's under review – they don't have to re-issue anything at this point – because it's clearly unlawful, we really do need some action. 'They're telling us they have to wait for the EHRC revised guidance and we don't believe this is true.' Ms Smith added that, if a woman were to be assaulted in prison by a transgender prisoner, the Government could be taken to court by the victim. 'I think they need to step up and take a bit of responsibility because these things are under their remit,' she said. She added: 'We don't want to go back to court, we really, really don't, but if we don't see some action that may be something we will have to consider.' Ms Smith said the group is speaking with its lawyers but she would not say if there was a timeline for action to begin. The co-director stressed that if ministers were concerned about a challenge to their guidance from the pro-trans rights side of the argument, they should be worried about one from FWS and other such groups too. 'They seem worried about a legal challenge from the other side,' she said. 'But my message to them would be they should be more worried about a legal challenge from the people who have the law on their side.' Ms Smith was joined at the fringe meeting – which was hosted by Tory MSP Pam Gosal – by former foreign secretary James Cleverly. Mr Cleverly was part of the Conservative-led government which blocked the Scottish Government's controversial gender reforms. The Government proposed removing the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria as a requirement for obtaining a gender recognition certificate – a process known as self identification. The move was scuppered by then-Scottish secretary Alister Jack, who used Section 35 of the Scotland Act to block the legislation. Mr Cleverly told attendees the move showed the 'importance of the union'. 'This issue was clearly spiralling out of control, badly out of control,' he said.
North Wales Chronicle
14-06-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
‘We don't want to go back to court', says women's group over gender ruling delay
For Women Scotland (FWS) challenged the meaning of a woman in the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act, with the UK's highest court ruling the definition in the 2010 Equality Act referred to biological sex. The decision is likely to have far-reaching implications for transgender people in accessing services, but the Scottish Government has declined to make changes to guidance until the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issues its own guidance, which is expected to take place in the coming months. But speaking at a fringe event at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh, FWS co-director Susan Smith said the group was considering a further legal challenge against the Government. Speaking to journalists after the event, she said: 'We have spoken to the Scottish Government and asked them to withdraw some of this guidance, just to say that it's under review – they don't have to re-issue anything at this point – because it's clearly unlawful, we really do need some action. 'They're telling us they have to wait for the EHRC revised guidance and we don't believe this is true.' Ms Smith added that, if a woman were to be assaulted in prison by a transgender prisoner, the Government could be taken to court by the victim. 'I think they need to step up and take a bit of responsibility because these things are under their remit,' she said. She added: 'We don't want to go back to court, we really, really don't, but if we don't see some action that may be something we will have to consider.' Ms Smith said the group is speaking with its lawyers but she would not say if there was a timeline for action to begin. The co-director stressed that if ministers were concerned about a challenge to their guidance from the pro-trans rights side of the argument, they should be worried about one from FWS and other such groups too. 'They seem worried about a legal challenge from the other side,' she said. 'But my message to them would be they should be more worried about a legal challenge from the people who have the law on their side.' Ms Smith was joined at the fringe meeting – which was hosted by Tory MSP Pam Gosal – by former foreign secretary James Cleverly. Mr Cleverly was part of the Conservative-led government which blocked the Scottish Government's controversial gender reforms. The Government proposed removing the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria as a requirement for obtaining a gender recognition certificate – a process known as self identification. The move was scuppered by then-Scottish secretary Alister Jack, who used Section 35 of the Scotland Act to block the legislation. Mr Cleverly told attendees the move showed the 'importance of the union'. 'This issue was clearly spiralling out of control, badly out of control,' he said.
South Wales Argus
14-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
‘We don't want to go back to court', says women's group over gender ruling delay
For Women Scotland (FWS) challenged the meaning of a woman in the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act, with the UK's highest court ruling the definition in the 2010 Equality Act referred to biological sex. The decision is likely to have far-reaching implications for transgender people in accessing services, but the Scottish Government has declined to make changes to guidance until the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issues its own guidance, which is expected to take place in the coming months. But speaking at a fringe event at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh, FWS co-director Susan Smith said the group was considering a further legal challenge against the Government. Speaking to journalists after the event, she said: 'We have spoken to the Scottish Government and asked them to withdraw some of this guidance, just to say that it's under review – they don't have to re-issue anything at this point – because it's clearly unlawful, we really do need some action. 'They're telling us they have to wait for the EHRC revised guidance and we don't believe this is true.' Ms Smith added that, if a woman were to be assaulted in prison by a transgender prisoner, the Government could be taken to court by the victim. 'I think they need to step up and take a bit of responsibility because these things are under their remit,' she said. She added: 'We don't want to go back to court, we really, really don't, but if we don't see some action that may be something we will have to consider.' Former foreign secretary James Cleverly was also in attendance at the event (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Ms Smith said the group is speaking with its lawyers but she would not say if there was a timeline for action to begin. The co-director stressed that if ministers were concerned about a challenge to their guidance from the pro-trans rights side of the argument, they should be worried about one from FWS and other such groups too. 'They seem worried about a legal challenge from the other side,' she said. 'But my message to them would be they should be more worried about a legal challenge from the people who have the law on their side.' Ms Smith was joined at the fringe meeting – which was hosted by Tory MSP Pam Gosal – by former foreign secretary James Cleverly. Mr Cleverly was part of the Conservative-led government which blocked the Scottish Government's controversial gender reforms. The Government proposed removing the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria as a requirement for obtaining a gender recognition certificate – a process known as self identification. The move was scuppered by then-Scottish secretary Alister Jack, who used Section 35 of the Scotland Act to block the legislation. Mr Cleverly told attendees the move showed the 'importance of the union'. 'This issue was clearly spiralling out of control, badly out of control,' he said.
