Married at First Sight UK‘s Ella Morgan has spoken out following the UK’s Supreme Court ruling on that the legal definition of a woman under the Equality Act does not include trans women.

The “unanimous” ruling was handed down earlier (Wednesday 16 April) and determined that the definition of a woman as per the 2010 Equality Act is based on ‘biological’ sex.

Delivering the court’s decision, Supreme Court judge Lord Hodge stressed that trans people are still protected by anti-discrimination laws under the terms of the legislation.

Speaking exclusively to PinkNews on Wednesday (16 April) trans TV personality Morgan says it’s the first time since her own transition and entry into public life that she’s genuinely been “scared” for herself and others.

“As soon as I read it I started crying and I got upset because I thought, ‘What am I now gonna do after all of these years of not only suffering, but also celebrating who I am and the achievements I’ve done as a public figure, as an advocate, but more importantly as Ella?’

“It now feels like everything’s just been pushed to one side we’re not seen as humans or as people with rights. We’re just seen as the one thing that we don’t want to be seen as, and that’s how these people want to define us.”

Morgan worries that the ruling could be used as justification for further anti-trans behaviour and attacks, and that hate crime could rise. “These people will, I think, have blood on their hands,” she says solemnly.

“If I walk into a woman’s bathroom now, am I gonna be attacked?” she wondered. “And are people gonna justify that by saying, ‘well, you’re legally not a woman. You never will be’. How do I then fight that?”

Turning to what trans people can do to protect themselves and their mental health, Morgan tells PinkNews that people should spend time with their families, chosen or otherwise.

“Talk to your loved ones. Talk to your friends, whether it’s your family or your chosen family. Reach out to charities like Switchboard, but talk to those closest to you that you know, love and see you as you.”

The case was brought by the gender-critical group For Women Scotland (FWS) against the Scottish government. Its appeal followed a previous ruling that sex is not limited to biology.

The group asked the Court to consider: “Is a person with a full Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) which recognises that their gender is female, a ‘woman’ for the 2010 Equality Act?”

And in coming to the decision it has done the Supreme Court has decided that ‘sex’ is something based on the a person’s biology at birth, and not something that can change based on gender identity and the gender-recognition process.

Posting on Instagram after the ruling was released, Morgan said she’d continue to be a voice for the trans community and would fight the ruling. Asked whether she had any ideas, even in these early days, what that would look like, she admits she doesn’t have the answer yet but is resolved to find a solution.

“I will fight along with other people, and I will go to Parliament. I’ll go to government and I’ll try and get this overturned,” she declares. “There’s not been many trans people consulted, and I just want them to hear us, our story and our reasonings for why this is wrong.”

Pointing out that often people side with those opposing the trans community, Morgan notes: “I want to have conversations along with other trans people so that people can hear our stories, our voices, and see it from our side.”

Morgan went further to say: “I want to fight with other people for it to be fair and equal, because I’m sick to death of having to fight and justify who we are and our existence. We exist. There’s no debating that.”

She also shares with PinkNews that she has already heard from people on social media, and pleasantly, a lot of cis-women, often mothers, reaching out in support.

“That just fills my heart, because sometimes when you hear news like this, it does bring you down. It does affect me even though I put on a brave face. This does hurt. But when I see the outpouring of love and support for me and my community, it gives me that small bit of hope in such a dark time.

“That hope in humanity that we will be OK.”

If you feel like you need an extra support, rely on the dedicated services for the community. Switchboard, the LGBT+ Helpline, has volunteers on almost constantly. You can call, email, and message them. Alternatively there are trans+-specific services like Mermaids and services across the country like LGBT+ Helpline Scotland.

• Mermaids: 0808 801 0400 or text MERMAIDS to 85258 for 24/7 crisis support
• Switchboard: Call 0800 0119100 or email hello@switchboard.lgbt.
• LGBT+ Helpline Scotland: 0800 464 7000 or email helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk

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