We are dismayed and affronted by the recent Supreme Court ruling concerning the recognition of trans* women. Our empathy, solidarity and compassion goes to our trans* and gender non-conforming kin, who we know will be distressed and disheartened by these recent events.

Rather than offer another cursory statement, we wholeheartedly support and affirm the many powerful statements released by countless trans* and queer networks, organisations, health services and charities over the past week. We are dismayed at the regressive step this presents for achieving a progressive, pluralistic and compassionate society. We recognise the interconnected struggle of all members of society in achieving this, and reiterate:

Trans* liberation liberates all.

We particularly reject this ruling within the context of the built environment, and the worrying precedent it sets. Trans* women present no genuine threat to cis women within women-only spaces. Suggestions otherwise which seek to formalise systems to ‘identify’ or ‘define’ women, to any degree, lead to only one outcome: the policing of all women’s bodies and the reduction of all women to narrowly-defined objectifications of the body – this policing and these definitions reinforce the objectification of all women by men, and the systemic power structures of patriarchy which they perpetuate.

Trans* women are not the threat to cis women; men are. Scapegoating trans* folk shifts the focus and goalposts of women’s agency and safety, allowing the treatment of women by men under patriarchy to continue.

Within the context of architectural practice, and despite the Supreme Court ruling, we remind all trans* folk and their allies of the following:

1. The Equality Act still protects trans* and gender non-conforming folk from discrimination and hate based upon their identity, under a protected characteristic in and of itself.

2. All architects registered with the ARB in the UK need to abide by Standard 12.1 of the Architects Code:
   “You should treat everyone fairly. You must act in compliance with your legal obligations. You must not discriminate because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.”

We know that the above details may feel hollow within the context of the recent ruling. However, it is important for all (trans* folk and their allies) to remember to hold those who would seek to use the ruling to justify discrimination to account, in addition to your rights in the workplace.

We draw particular attention to the powerful Open Letter to Professional Bodies in the Built Environment by Queerscapes, which furthers the above points; we encourage all to sign and share this Open Letter in solidarity. We also direct all architectural workers to Future Architecture Front and Unite_SAW, the architecture union, and encourage all to join in building a robust network of worker agency and support, which is severely absent within our industry to all our detriment.

We remind all those working or studying in architecture across Scotland that we offer space on our website to reach out to us, with the option for anonymity. We can provide support, direct to services, offer our ears and help take action.

As a final note, we urge all allies of trans* and gender non-confirming folk to turn to their friends, colleagues and family who are members of these communities. Offer your compassion, grace and support; we remind allies that in times of austerity and systemic neoliberalism which seek to silence and erase minorities, holistic support is not just verbal but also physical (show up) and financial (redistribute wealth).

We end by affirming the power of community and collective action. Fascism, hate and capitalism seek to destroy community and compassion, as they sit across the many points upon which we can reject them and work toward better futures. Do not give air to fires and validate bad faith narratives which have no desire to genuinely engage compassionately with empathy and reason. Trans* folk have always existed, and will continue to exist – it is through community that we hold steadfast and make this existence as liveable and joyful as possible as we strive for liberation.

We direct out trans* kin to, and encourage all allies to support, the following resources:

• Small Trans Library

• Mermaids

• Just Like Us

• LGBT+ Health and Wellbeing

• LGBT Youth Scotland

• Trans Harm Reduction

• Trans Healthcare Access Glasgow

• Trans Pride

• Gender Goals FC

• Glasgow Sunflowers

• Engender

• Category Is

• Architects Benevolent Fund

• Unite_SAW

If you are a community organisation supporting or providing space for trans* people in Scotland, and you would like to also be highlighted by Open Plan Scotland, please let us know.