Statement on the Supreme Court Ruling on the Equality Act

Pride Progress flag with 6 stripes and black and brown stripes and trans equality flag, on pink background

Following the Supreme Court ruling in April on the definition of the term ‘woman’ in the Equality Act, the Andro and Eve team have taken time to reflect and review the range of responses that have since emerged. 

As an organisation committed to celebrating queer culture, creating spaces of joy and hope for our community, and working towards a more just world for LGBTQ+people, we are appalled and extremely concerned by the lack of fairness, overt exclusion of trans voices, and, in some cases, the cruelty that has since been expressed by the media, parts of the UK Government, as well as some employers and sporting bodies across the UK.

On 16 April 2025 the Supreme Court gave its judgement in the appeal of For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers. It ruled that for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, the terms ‘woman’, and ‘man’ are defined exclusively based on biological sex. It explicitly excludes trans people with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) from being recognised as their legal sex under the Equality Act.

The Supreme Court ruling represents another significant and alarming step in what is an increasingly aggressive, well-resourced campaign to reduce or restrict the rights and protections afforded to trans+ people in the UK. It is also part of a broader trend, both nationally and internationally, of the erosion of democratic protections, and efforts to roll back the hard-won rights, freedoms and protections afforded to the LGBTQI+ community. Together, these actions align with a growing shift towards the far right.

It also signifies a regressive step towards outdated and essentialist ideas regarding what constitutes a woman. Ideas that feminists have been fighting against for decades*, and which are now being resurrected in the interests of a small minority, as part of well coordinated attempts to restrict bodily autonomy for women including access to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. The Supreme Court Ruling will undoubtedly have negative consequences not only for trans women but for all women, especially those who live their lives in ways that differ from gender or sexuality norms.

Bunting created in May 2025 by the Sheffield community in response to the Supreme Court Ruling and displayed at The Kingdom Come event. Organised by Corvus Coaching

We know that this ruling has understandably created a lot of fear and uncertainty among members of our community and left many trans people not only feeling excluded and unsafe, but already experiencing discrimination and ostracisation during their day to day activities. The range of unknown legal and practical consequences of the ruling is of significant concern, especially regarding trans peoples’ access to essential services and gender segregated spaces.

As existing data shows, trans people, especially trans women from racially minoritised groups, are already at increased risk of violence and abuse, with the rates of hate crimes against the trans community rising dramatically over the last decade. Trans people also face continual struggles regarding healthcare access, housing, and employment. This ruling will have substantial and long-lasting consequences for the safety and well-being of trans, non-binary and gender expansive people living in the UK and the extent to which they are safe from violence and discrimination in their daily lives.

We stand firm in our commitment to stand up for the rights of trans and gender expansive people and share our solidarity, love and rage with our trans siblings. If you are trans and need support, seek help from Mermaids, Switchboard or through a local group, friends or loved ones if you are able.

This is a crucial moment to stand up for the rights of trans people in the UK, and take action to ensure every person, regardless of gender identity or sexuality is respected, protected and can live safely and free from harm. 

Take Action

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is updating the statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations affected by the Supreme Court ruling and are seeking feedback from members of the public through a public consultation.

We urge you to contribute to this public consultation, holding at the forefront of your mind the rights of trans people, and the care and compassion each and every trans person deserves. There is guidance available on how to complete it provided by Scottish Trans, Mermaids and TransActual. Participate by completing the online survey. There is not much time to respond – the consultation closes on Monday 30 June 2025.

If you would like further information about the ruling, and how your workplace can remain trans inclusive, we are also hosting a free webinar on 18 June at 12pm. 

You can also write to your local MP to share your concerns regarding this ruling. Scottish Trans have created a useful tool which enables you to write a letter in minutes – you can adapt the text and follow this link if you are a trans or non-binary person, or this link if you are an ally to our community. For further actions associated with the EHRC consultation and in support of trans rights, the LGBT+ Consortium have created this EHRC Consultation webpage to collate useful resources, including links to planned protests.

As we await further guidance regarding what the legal, political and social implications of this ruling will be for trans people, it is important to remember that the lives of trans people and their right to exist and be protected under the law should NEVER be up for debate. 

Now is the time for allies to visibly support their trans+ peers and demand they are protected. 

If you are looking for further information on the situation for trans and non-binary people in the UK and how to support trans inclusive practices, we offer Gender Awareness Training for organisations. For more  in depth support and advice around trans equity and inclusion in the workplace, or to talk through a specific situation, please reach out about our consultancy services. 

* As the Combahee River Collective stated in their statement of 1977 – ‘As Black women we find any type of biological determinism a particularly dangerous and reactionary basis upon which to build a politic’. 

A Spring Fling with the Drag Kings!

King Tito Bone sings on the mic holding his walking cane. Tito is w hite drag king with a grey mullet and turquoise glitter beard

On 8 May, we returned again to Crookes Social Club for a Spring Awakening edition The Kingdom Come, with our line up of drag kings sharing all sorts of transformations and talents!

We adorned the venue with blooms, butterflies and blossom, and many of our community showed up in some spring inspired outfits, working floral looks or turning over a new leaf in fresh fits. The vegan cake from Little Town Pantry just about lasted until the interval, but only *just*. It’s always tricky knowing how much to order!

Two white women smile with their backs to camera showing off colourful butterfly wing capes
Attendees dressed in their spring finest!

Our host for the evening was well travelled, but Sheffield based, Tito Bone, your average non binary blind bisexual drag king. Their musical flair and comedy got the crowd warmed up from the get go, with witty acts featuring live singing and ukelele. (Pictured above)

Drag king Awesome Swelles plays ukelele dressed as a satyr. He is a larger white performer
Drag king Awesome Swelles. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor

We also felt the warmth and affection from Awesome Swelles, who shared his songwriting with us along with some intricate costumes, adding layers of meaning to his powerful message that trans people can and should be making plans for beautiful futures! 

drag king Chiyo, performs on stage showing off his washboard abs
Chiyo. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor

CHIYO brought the fire to the evening, with two electric performances that had us very hot under the collar and gagged in equal measure, with his display of power and self acceptance a radical stand against mainstream narratives that seek to dehumanise trans people. 

South Asian drag king Harddeep Singh lipsyncs seated onstage wearing military jacket
Harddeep Singh. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor

Harddeep Singh also shared a powerful abolitionist and anti colonial message with us, wrapped in a crowd pleasing emo themed act. Richard Melanin the Third had the audience weeping with laughter at his whimsical performances, making magic that entranced us all. 

Drag Richard Melanin the Third performs onstage wearing battered top hat and tailcoat
Magic from Richard Melanin the Third. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor

Finally we were also treated to a debut act from Hot Pot, featuring Quiche Lorraine, aka Lorraine Kelly in a surreal turn, and Hot Pot also kept to the spring theme as they hatched from a giant egg! 

White drag king Hot Pot lipsyncs with a yellow face inside a giant white egg
Hot Pot hatches! The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor

This event was a fundraiser for Andro & Eve, supporting our current crowdfunding campaign, with cash donations on the night and online donations boosting the campaign by £1,035. Additional funds from the raffle will also be used to provide discounted and free tickets to those who need them at future events. Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts. Our Go Fund Me campaign is still live if you haven’t had a chance to donate or share. 

A huge thanks also to the Andro & Eve team, tech team and volunteer crew who helped everything run smoothly on the night and of course a massive thank you to all the drag kings who joined us! 

A diverse audiences smiles and waves their arms in the air
The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel a planned July edition of The Kingdom Come owing to another Arts Council funding bid rejection. Like many other independent producers of drag and cabaret, each year this work gets harder. So if you can, we’d really appreciate any more donations to our crowdfunder to help us deliver a year-round programme of culture and community activity supported by an affordable membership scheme.

We do have plans for other activities this year, and of course the launch of that membership scheme in the Autumn, so if you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter to be first to hear more about our plans! Enjoy the rest of the photos below!

Group shot onstage of Chiyo, Awesome Swelles, Hot Pot, Tito Bone, Harddeep Singh and Richard Melanin the Third
The cast of The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor
Drag king Awesome Swelles sings on a mic playing the ukelele.
Awesome Swelles. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor
An audience smiles looking at the stage out of shot
Black Drag king Richard Melanin the Third exclaims with his finger in the air
Richard Melanin the Third. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor
an older white woman smiles looking up at a stage out of shot
drag king Chiyo, performs on stage with a whoop sound coming from his mouth.
Chiyo. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor
Blind, white drag king Tito Bone sings on a mic playing the ukelele.
Tito Bone. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor
Two white queer people smile and wear spring themed floral clothing
Spring looks at The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor
Handmade flags saying love trans people!
Flags made by the Sheffield community to show support for trans people. Credit – Nelly Naylor
Hot Pot dressed in pink business suit with a quiche mask and brown wig
Hot Pot. The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor
Audience exclaims with eyes wide open
Eyes wide at The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor
Two white people laugh with scrunched eyes and their arms around one another
Smiling audience members of all ages
The Kingdom Come (2025). Credit – Nelly Naylor

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