SPORTING BODY POLICIES

On 16th April 2025 the Supreme Court Judgment (16th April 2025 For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent)) confirmed that the term ‘woman’ in law means the biological sex of female. The term ONLY applies to women and girls.

​

In sport, that means the Female category must only include women and girls whose biological sex is female.

Sports with policies that state male participants may self-identify into the female category do not comply with the Equality Act 2010.

​

Furthermore, no male has the right in law to self-identify into a female changing room, toilet or other single-sex space.

Some sports have amended their policies in the light of the ruling. Others have yet to change their policies. We have updated our Fair Sports Awards to identify those sports that are UNLAWFUL and those that have complied with the Law (GOLD).

​

There is no need for any sport to ‘wait for guidance’ from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The EHRC has stated: ‘the law as set out in the Supreme Court’s very readable judgment is effective immediately.

​

‘Those with duties under the Equality Act must comply with the law and should be urgently reviewing what changes need to be made to their existing policies and practices.’

​

This is a fast-moving field. These listings were updated on 13th May 2025 and will be updated on a regular basis.

 

If your sport is listed here as UNLAWFUL please write to the CEO and request that they change their policies to comply with the law. Contact details are listed for each sport.