Women’s-only organisations that have recently banned transgender participation have been encouraged by the head of a local equality charity to “rethink” their decision.

Kaye Nicholson, CEO of Liberate Jersey has encouraged UK-based organisations that have local branches to “align once again with their core principles”, in order to reduce exclusion and discrimination.

It comes after trans girls in Jersey were banned from becoming girlguides after the national organisation made a sweeping policy change, banning biological boys that identify as girls or any person born male from joining.

A “difficult decision”

Girlguiding aims to develop life skills, leadership and confidence in girls from ages four to eighteen in its various activity groups including Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers.

The sudden policy change came in the wake of a landmark decision made by the Supreme Court in April, that defined sex as biological in equality law.

The “difficult” decision, a Girlguiding UK statement said, arose from “detailed considerations”, alongside expert legal advice and input from members and Girlguiding’s Council.

To mitigate future impact, Girlguiding UK said that in the coming months a new taskforce would be launched to support young people in marginalised groups.

The statement continued: “The Board of Trustees for Girlguiding has reached the difficult decision that going forward membership of Girlguiding will be restricted to girls and young women, as defined in the Equality Act (2010).

It concluded: “While Girlguiding may feel a little different going forward, these core aims and principles will always endure and we remain committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, particularly those from marginalised groups that have felt the biggest impact of this decision.”

Children and young people “deserve to be included in safe spaces”

The Women’s Institute also stopped offering transgender women membership this week, for the same reason.

Speaking to Express, Ms Nicholson shared her disappointment in the news.

She said: “We hope that these UK-based organisations, who until recently have historically been very inclusive in their practices for many years, will be supported to rethink their policy and align once again with their core principles.”

Ms Nicholson said that children and young people “deserve to be included in safe spaces where they can be themselves, have flourishing friendships and gain a sense of community belonging”.

“We all have the right to live free from harassment, exclusion and discrimination,” the charity CEO said.

“We are hopeful that our island community will continue to stand for inclusion and resist systemic exclusion of trans, non-binary and intersex people.”