Holding Space in the Wake of Today's Supreme Court Ruling

This morning’s Supreme Court ruling, which has clarified that the legal definition of sex under the Equality Act refers to biological sex, has already begun to ripple across the country in deeply painful and distressing ways. For many, particularly within the trans and non-binary communities, this decision is being felt as more than a legal technicality—it is being experienced as a direct challenge to their identity, autonomy, and safety.

Already, we are seeing media outlets and some political voices seize on this ruling to question, dismiss, or outright deny trans identities. This isn't just about the letter of the law—it’s about the climate it creates, and the message it sends. Understandably, many trans people, and those who love and support them, may be feeling a mix of grief, rage, fear, and confusion today. The future may feel even more uncertain, and the present might feel more precarious than ever.

As a queer therapist working within the LGBTQ+ community, I saw a need to express my feelings and offer some advice to other counsellors. It feels vital that we attune ourselves to the emotional fallout of this ruling—not just on a societal level, but within the therapy room. Some clients may come in ready to talk—angry, distressed, overwhelmed, heartbroken. Others may be quiet, withdrawn, or disconnected. Both are valid. What matters is that we offer them the kind of presence that meets them where they are. That might mean witnessing a storm of feelings; it might mean sitting together in silence, offering a quiet, grounded presence when words feel out of reach.

Let your clients know, explicitly or implicitly, that this is a safe space for their whole selves—including their grief and fury. Be mindful of what is being said, and what might not be. Notice defences. Stay tender. Trans and non-binary clients already carry a heavy burden of being misunderstood, invalidated, and politicised. Your presence can offer something different—a holding environment where they don’t have to explain or justify, only exist as they are.

And of course, many of you will be feeling the impact of this ruling too. Whether you are trans yourself, have trans friends or family, or simply feel the pain of this injustice, you may be holding your own reactions—sadness, rage, fear, exhaustion. These feelings are not a distraction from the work; they are part of our human response to a deeply human issue.

We often put our clients first—and rightly so—but today is a reminder that we also need each other. We are a community of listeners and holders, and today that might mean turning our skills inward for a while. Let’s care for one another, so we can keep caring for those who rely on us.

Be gentle with yourselves, and with your clients. We don’t know yet where this ruling will lead, but we do know that kindness, presence and solidarity matter now more than ever.