Several hundred protestors took to the streets of Oxford today in response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the legal definition of a woman under the Equality Act 2010.
The march – which began at Bonn Square around 11.30am and ended at Oxford Crown Court just over an hour later – was organised by the group ‘Oxford for Trans Rights’. They told Cherwell that the protest aimed to “raise awareness of the harm caused by the Supreme Court’s ruling and the way transphobic individuals and organisations are using it to push their hateful propaganda”.
Following a number of speeches at the start of the route, the demonstration moved down New Inn Hall Street, before turning onto Cornmarket Street and continuing down St Aldate’s. Chants included “Supreme Court, blood on your hands” and “No borders, no nation, trans liberation”.
The protest comes after the Supreme Court ruled that under the Equality Act 2010, the terms ‘woman’ and sex’ refer to a “biological woman and biological sex”. Supporters of the judgement claim it will protect single-sex spaces, whilst critics have said it will undermine protections for trans people.
A diverse mix of people, some affiliated with Oxford University and others local residents, made up the crowd. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told Cherwell that he was attending the protest for his trans son, aged 14. He said his son wasn’t attending as he didn’t “think it was quite safe [for him]”.
Meanwhile, two academics in the modern languages faculty told Cherwell that they were “joining in solidarity with trans communities” by taking part in the protest. They carried a banner from the University and College Union (UCU) with the words: “Knowledge is power. Defend education.”
There was a minimal police presence, with only a very small disturbance occurring midway through the march when a bypasser on Cornmarket shouted at the protestors: “Misogynists go home. Defend women.” A large team of stewards and ‘legal observers’ from the organisers were present.
Some local political parties were also represented, including the Greens and the Liberal Democrats. Christopher Smowton, leader of the Oxford Liberal Democrats and Councillor for Headington, told Cherwell the local party had organised an “informal solidarity march” which the national party was happy to allow. No representatives from Labour or the Conservatives were visible at the protest.
By 1pm, the demonstration had largely dispersed after a few megaphone speeches which also addressed topics including racism and solidarity with Palestine.
