Girlguiding groups issue new ban on trans girls joining clubs – My London
The organisation said it has made the decision with a ‘heavy heart’
Girlguiding will ban trans girls from joining(Image: PA)
Girlguiding UK is restricting its membership to individuals recorded as female at birth. This revised policy means transgender girls and young women cannot join the organisation as new members.
The membership restriction applies to all of its groups, including Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers. This rule is now immediately effective for all new applicants.
The organisation cited a recent Supreme Court ruling as the basis for its choice, which clarified that the terms “woman” and “sex” in equality law refer to biological sex.
Girlguiding described the decision as “difficult” and said that it was made with a “heavy heart.”
Transgender boys will still be eligible to join or remain members because they were recorded as female at birth. The organization has approximately 300,000 members across the UK.
For young people currently in Girlguiding, the change does not require immediate action, but the organisation plans to release further information on their status next week.
The decision drew strong condemnation from trans rights campaigners, who claimed the organisation was being pressured to exclude young trans girls. Campaigners also called the policy as an “horrible act of violence.”
Girlguiding affirmed its commitment to respecting all individuals and will establish a new task force. The groupd said it will explore other potential ways to champion its value of inclusion and provide support to marginalised groups.
