On a week marked by both celebration and controversy for transgender communities in the UK and the US, two very different stories have unfolded—one of exclusion and another of sanctuary. As the dust settles, families, activists, and local leaders are left asking: In a world of shifting legal definitions and political climates, who gets to belong, and who must build belonging from scratch?
On December 3, 2025, Girlguiding—Britain’s largest girl-only youth organization—announced a dramatic policy reversal: trans girls will no longer be allowed to join its youth groups, including Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Rangers. The new rule requires that all new youth members must have been recorded female at birth. This abrupt shift came after legal advice prompted by an earlier Supreme Court ruling that defined women in the Equality Act strictly by “biological sex,” as reported by The New Feminist.
Girlguiding’s leadership described the decision as a reluctant response to “complex decisions” in the wake of the court’s judgment. They insisted that the move was not taken lightly, citing internal feedback, legal counsel, and the Supreme Court’s interpretation as key factors. “We remain committed to treating all young people with dignity and respect,” the organization stated, though details about new support for marginalized groups remain vague.
The reaction was swift and fierce. Within hours, a petition led by former member Jenny Thompson drew thousands of signatures, with supporters stressing that trans children deserve the same sense of safety and belonging as any other child. Many pointed out that Girlguiding had previously defended its inclusive stance—back in 2018, the charity had publicly declared that being trans did not make someone a safeguarding risk, a position supported by youth workers, equality organizations, and safeguarding experts for years.
Despite these assurances, the legal landscape has shifted. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling has triggered a domino effect, with charities, schools, and community groups across the UK scrambling to review their own policies. Some, like Girlguiding, have moved quickly to restrict trans people’s access to gendered spaces; others are waiting for clearer guidance. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is expected to issue an updated code of practice, but legal experts warn that blanket bans risk misinterpreting the Equality Act. According to these experts, the law still allows organizations to accommodate trans people unless there’s a clear and proportionate reason not to—a nuance often lost in heated public debates.
Critics have also highlighted the lack of evidence for claims that trans members pose a risk. In fact, no incidents of harassment linked to trans members have been recorded within Girlguiding, as confirmed by organizational records. Nevertheless, the decision has left many families and former members disillusioned, feeling that an organization long seen as a haven for those seeking community is now retreating from its values.
“Trans young people already face high levels of exclusion, isolation, and bullying,” said one former member, echoing the sentiments of many. “Youth groups like Girlguiding can be a lifeline. Shutting out trans girls removes access to experiences that shape confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships.”
The charity says it will continue to listen to its community while working through the legal implications, but for now, the ban stands. Its repercussions are being felt by families who had trusted Girlguiding to put children’s welfare first. Trans rights advocates, youth workers, and former members argue that there’s still time for the organization to reconsider and reaffirm its values through action, not just legal caution.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic in New York City, a different kind of story was unfolding. On December 1, 2025, the Ali Forney Center (AFC) opened Casa Cecilia—a newly renovated mansion in Harlem, named in honor of the late trans and queer rights activist Cecilia Gentili. The center, which has provided beds and services to unhoused queer and trans youth since 2002, now offers a six-month sanctuary for 20 young people at a time, complete with medical and mental health support.
Casa Cecilia’s opening was both a tribute to Gentili—who passed away in 2024 after a lifetime of activism—and a testament to the resilience of New York’s queer community. “It’s almost poetic that this house resembles so much of Gentili’s life and so much of what she lived for that we’ll be able to honor her legacy and pay tribute to her in this way,” Alexander Roque, AFC’s president and executive director, told HuffPost. “Many unhoused individuals, because of a lack of shelter, will spend their nights awake for safety and their days in and out of support and care.”
The mansion, lovingly restored with its historic details intact, stands as an oasis amid a worsening housing crisis. According to UCLA research cited by LGBTQ Nation, trans people are eight times more likely to be unhoused than their cisgender peers. At AFC, 95% of clients are people of color, and more than half have journeyed from other parts of the country seeking refuge from discrimination and violence. The need for such spaces is as urgent as ever, especially as federal support for LGBTQ initiatives has dwindled—$2.67 billion cut during the Trump administration, according to Human Rights Watch.
The opening ceremony for Casa Cecilia was both joyous and poignant. A mantle at the entrance honors Gentili with the words “travesti,” “puta,” and “bendita”—terms she embraced in life. Activists, council members, and Gentili’s chosen family gathered to celebrate, chanting her name and reflecting on the home’s significance. “We cared for ourselves at a time when the government turned its back on us during the AIDS crisis,” Roque noted. “We built pathways, we built health care systems, and we defined chosen family.”
Casa Cecilia is more than a shelter; it’s a model for the future. The Ali Forney Center plans to transition toward less reliance on government grants, instead buying property and using rent income to fund its programs. Their vision is to create a self-sustaining network of queer and trans refuges across New York City—a bold step toward community care, no matter who’s in power.
Back in the UK, debates over trans inclusion are also playing out in local politics. Bristol City Council has become a flashpoint, with Conservative councillors calling for respect and courtesy after Green Party members walked out and held pro-trans placards in protest at gender-critical statements from the public gallery. Recent meetings have been marked by angry exchanges, resignations, and calls for open dialogue. A motion tabled by Conservative councillor Jonathan Hucker asked the council to “reaffirm its commitment to the principles of open dialogue, civic respect, and representative impartiality.”
The Green Party, for its part, maintains that councillors have the right to feel safe at work, and stands firmly in support of trans people. “Expressing a point of view does not mean ignoring the impact words have on people,” a spokesperson said in November 2025. The debate over how to balance freedom of expression with the safety and dignity of marginalized groups is far from settled.
As these stories unfold, one thing is clear: The struggle over trans inclusion and community care is being fought on many fronts, from the corridors of local government to the doorsteps of newly opened sanctuaries. Whether through policy, protest, or mutual aid, the question of who belongs—and who decides—remains at the heart of the conversation.