Girlguiding is to bar trans girls and young women from this September when new membership rules relating to sex and gender will apply.

The charity said last December that it would put in place the new rules following the Supreme Court’s 2025 decision that equality legislation refers to biological sex.

From 6 September only biologically female girls and women can join as members and volunteers.

Also, from this date all current trans girl and young women members will have to leave. Current trans girl or trans women volunteers in a role open to women only will need to move to a role open to everyone.

Girlguiding said it had made the “difficult decision” due to the Supreme Court’s judgement.

“We must operate lawfully and follow our governing charity documents, which affect how our membership eligibility is defined,” said the charity’s chair Denise Wilson, its chief executive Felicity Oswald and chief guide Tracy Foster in a statement this week.

“We have chosen this date to give as much notice as possible, so all current members are able to take part in activities during the summer term and over the summer holidays.

“This timeframe allows affected members and their families time to plan, prepare, access support, and decide when – between now and September – they feel ready to leave. It also reflects feedback from our volunteers and members. Our intention throughout is to act with kindness, care and respect.”

Support calls between members and commissioners at the charity are being offered “to talk through the changes”.

Mental health charity Young Minds has also been involved with Girlguiding to offer tailored support and further help is available from the youth group’s safeguarding and wellbeing staff and volunteers.

“We recognise that everyone is individual and so may have different needs for support. We’ll listen to those and will think carefully about how to meet them,” added their statement.

The charity stresses that trans boys and men, and non-binary people who were female at birth are not impacted by the membership change.

The charity’s leaders said: “Although our membership approach has changed, our belief in dignity, respect and inclusion has not. We will continue to work towards a fairer, more equal world for every girl.”

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