Two British organisations, Girlguiding and the Women’s Institute (WI), have (somewhat reluctantly) decided they will no longer accept trans girls and ‘transwomen’—people born male who claim to be female—as members. Girlguiding stated that from Tuesday, December 2nd, new members “not recorded female at birth will no longer be able to join Girlguiding as new young members,” citing the Supreme Court’s April ruling.
The UK Supreme Court interpreted the word “sex” in the Equality Act 2010—Britain’s main anti-discrimination law—to mean biological sex rather than self-declared gender identity.
The WI also confirmed that starting April 2026, ‘transwomen’ will no longer be eligible for formal membership. However, the organisation added that, while formal membership will be restricted to ‘biological women’, it will “bring forward programmes to continue to extend fellowship, sisterhood, and support to transgender women.”
Trustees at Girlguiding—previously named the Girl Guides Association—explained that the decision followed consultations and legal advice, and they stressed that current members will not face immediate changes. They also said the decision had been made with a “heavy heart” and promised further updates regarding its impact on current members.
The organisation was reportedly facing a lawsuit from a parent who claimed it was not properly adhering to the law.
