Summary
Statement - Altercation at WESC meeting: An incident between a TransLucent team member and members of Gender Critical Ideology Movement at a recent WESC meeting highlights the widespread confusion and distress caused by the Supreme Court judgment, that has led to legal actions and reported suicides.
On Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, at approximately 4:42 PM, an incident occurred between a member of the TransLucent team (Barrister Robin Moira White) and persons who identify as members of the Gender Critical Ideology Movement (GCIM). The facts are these:
Four TransLucent team members attended the WESC meeting, with Robin being the first to arrive at 12:44. She sat in the waiting area outside The Thatcher Room, where WESC were sitting. She told the parliamentary staff that she needed to sit close to the door whilst the WESC were in session, as she has health issues. The remaining members of the TransLucent team arrived outside The Thatcher Room at 2:05; by that time, approximately six members of the GCIM were waiting along with Robin. Shortly after, more GCIM members arrived, then came John Kirkpatrick and Kishwer Falkner (both EHRC), who embraced members of the GCIM. The WESC meeting started at 2:20.
An excellent report by Ian Dunt explains what occurred during the WESC meeting.
At approximately 3:50, some members of the GCIM left to attend a Gender-Critical event in Committee Room 4 in the House of Lords, which was due to start at 4:00. Others remained.
The WESC sat until 4:36. Upon leaving The Thatcher Room, Robin (wearing a black dress) asked a parliamentary staff member where the toilet was and was escorted to the ladies’ toilet. On arrival, she was effectively ambushed by members of the GCIM, and an ugly altercation took place.
A manager was called by security staff, who informed the members of the GCIM that within parliament, transgender and transsexual people were able to use toilets according to their gender – the members of the GCIM were then escorted from the area.
A MoJ Judge witnessed the incident, found the scene highly distressing, and, in concern for Robin, reported it to the appropriate authorities. Some members of the WESC have also been informed.
This incident starkly illustrates that the Supreme Court (SC) judgment, far from providing ‘clarity’, has instead sown widespread confusion and distress. This is particularly true for those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate and/or have undergone surgical procedures (such as creating a vagina) as part of their transition, only to find their rights and identities called into question.
Other trans people will be awaiting surgery and have been taking gender-affirming hormones, often for many years. A recent European Court of Human Rights judgment (T.H. v THE CZECH REPUBLIC) enforces the human right to privacy during transition, including those who may not wish or be able to have surgery.
TransLucent are aware of two reported suicides because of the SC judgment and has been involved in saving the life of a trans woman who attempted suicide in the Leicester area shortly after the SC judgment.
We are aware of numerous occurrences where trans people who claim Article 8 ECHR rights are being outed by employers, who are forcing them to use toilets that are not appropriate to the gender in which they have lived, often for decades. These cases will likely lead to discrimination claims in court proceedings.
In just two months from the SC judgment, we are aware of eight cases where legal action is being taken or sought. There may be many more we are not aware of.
We call on MPs to rectify this madness as a matter of urgency, as per Robin’s post published yesterday.
