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The UK-based organisation responsible for girl guide groups has declared it will no longer admit trans girls as members. This decision means that individuals who are biologically male but identify as girls will be excluded from joining the groups. According to Girlguiding, this change comes in light of a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year which clarified that, within equality legislation, the term “sex” refers specifically to biological sex.
The board of trustees described their decision as a “difficult decision” made with a “heavy heart.” They also indicated that further details would be provided in the following week regarding the impact of this policy on existing members. Trans rights advocacy group TransActual responded by stating, “There is no problem being solved here, only harm being done,” whereas the women’s rights organisation Sex Matters praised Girlguiding for taking the action, calling it the “right thing” to do.
Nationwide, approximately 385,000 girls and young women aged between four and eighteen participate in Girlguiding’s Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers. Starting 2 December, the organisation announced that trans girls, young women, and others not recorded female at birth will no longer be eligible to join as new members. However, there will be no immediate changes affecting current young members. The group has noted it does not collect data on gender identity, so it is uncertain how many people will be directly affected by this new rule. The trustees acknowledged the sensitivity of the move, admitting it “may be upsetting for members of our community.”
Girlguiding emphasized its strong commitment to inclusion and support for individuals from marginalised backgrounds. The organisation referenced the 2010 Equality Act, which permits single-sex groups to exclude those of the opposite sex. Earlier this year, the UK Supreme Court confirmed that “sex” under the law refers to biological sex, which means that, for example, a transgender man may be excluded from spaces intended for men. Draft guidance on interpreting this law was submitted to the government by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in September, but has yet to be officially released. In reaching its decision, Girlguiding consulted with its members and sought legal counsel before restricting membership to those biologically female, in line with its governing documents stating the organisation serves girls and women. Reports indicate that the organisation was facing potential legal challenges from a parent alleging it was not complying with the law. Notably, individuals assigned female at birth who identify as boys remain eligible to join, and most volunteer roles for adults remain open to all, with some adult roles specifically designated for female volunteers. The organisation is confident that no volunteers will be required to leave due to the new policy.
In response to the announcement, Sex Matters CEO Maya Forstater expressed support, saying Girlguiding had done the “right and only thing for it to do,” highlighting that both girls and boys deserve opportunities for growth and that Girlguiding is a space exclusively for girls. On the other hand, Tammy Hymas from the trans rights group TransActual condemned the decision, describing it as “awful” that an organisation known for inclusivity is now compelled to exclude young trans girls
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