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Trans judge to challenge gender ruling at top court

The Independent

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April 30, 2025

The only ever judge to publicly say they are transgender in the UK is taking the government to the European Court of Human Rights over the ruling that trans women are not legally women under the Equalities Act.

- MILLIE COOKE KATE DEVLIN

Trans judge to challenge gender ruling at top court

The long-awaited judgment from the Supreme Court was hailed by gender-critical campaigners but led to warnings it would “exclude trans people wholesale from participating in UK society”.

Dr Victoria McCloud, 55, who stood down last year, is bringing action against arguing a breach of her rights under article six of the European Convention on Human Rights. She claims the court refused to hear her views on how the ruling would affect her and other trans people. Another trans person had also wanted to give evidence.

Dr McCloud came out as trans in her twenties and is one of about 8,000 people to have legally changed the sex on their birth certificate. Dr McCloud sought to present evidence to the Supreme Court about how the outcome of the ruling would affect her and other trans people. She has since accused them of “refusing to hear me or my evidence”.

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