There's a common myth spread through UK politics right now that "gender critical" (ie. transphobia) is a protected belief under our Equality Act 2010 and, therefore, must be appropriately coddled and supported systemically.
Except that's completely wrong.
The myth stems from Forstater v CGD Europe and Others in 2022. Forstater (extremely notorious and influential transphobe currently working in the upper ranks of hate group Sex Matters) alleged that she was discriminated against during an employment tribunal because she believes trans women aren't women. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (the national human rights institution of the UK) stepped in to state that its interpretation of the EA2010's protected characteristic of religion or belief included that "gender critical" belief.
This then naturally got picked up by the anti-trans contingent as a clarion call that they were welcome and noble and right and their feelings mattered.
...but that's completely contradictory to what the EHRC itself said just 2 years earlier. And reaffirmed a year later in 2023.
Above is a fragment from the dossier of information that the EHRC, under now-Baroness and known anti-trans stooge Kishwer Falkner, published regarding the definitions of "religion or belief". It even directly cites racism as an example of an unprotected belief that infringes on the rights of others, of which modern transphobic rhetoric is functionally a palette swap (yes there's a reason for that).
Specifically, in order for a belief to be considered part of the protected characteristic, it needs to meet a few conditions. It must:
be genuinely held and more than an opinion
apply to an important aspect of human life or behaviour
worthy of respect in a democratic society
not affect other people's fundamental rights
There's a few other details on that list that could be dubiously squabbled over but that last one is absolutely key because whilst you're allowed to hold asshole ideas about people, you are not allowed to be an asshole to people. Once you use it to justify ejecting people from restrooms and changing areas, or to deny them healthcare, it fails to leave other people well enough alone. Once you start campaigning, lobbying, and what-not it is no longer just a private belief, it is a political objective to strip others of their rights.
Which is exactly where we find ourselves today. In an effort to placate and support naked bigotry, we've had to renege on protecting a minority group that we are also legally obligated to protect.
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