The U.K. Supreme Court's decision adds to the mounting rollback of protections for trans people across the globe.

Trans women are not legally women under the Equality Act, the Supreme Court has ruled in a landmark judgment. Campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) brought a series of challenges – including to the UK’s highest court – over the definition of “ woman ” in Scottish legislation mandating 50 per cent female representation on public boards.

Transgender women will be excluded from women’s toilets, hospital wards and sports teams after a U.K. Supreme Court ruling, the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said Thursday, as trans groups digested a judgment that could have a broad and detrimental impact on daily life.