When laws legitimize everyday violence

"Danger doesn't always come from the street... sometimes it starts in public restrooms."

Following a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that legally redefined who is a "woman", cases of harassment against women who do not conform to gender stereotypes have multiplied.

Reports indicate verbal abuse, shoving, and even spitting against transgender and cisgender women whose appearance does not conform to normative expectations. Public restrooms have become scenes of discrimination and violence.

Feminist and human rights organizations warn that the ruling, far from protecting women, is legitimizing exclusion and harassment. They also point out that this situation is creating fear in spaces that should be safe for everyone.

The consequence is clear: when a law sends a message about who belongs and who doesn't, prejudices feel entitled to act. This erodes coexistence and strengthens intolerance.

In response, groups and activists insist on the need for inclusive policies that guarantee that all public spaces are free from discrimination, regardless of gender identity or expression.