India, April 28 -- A woman is defined as someone who is born biologically female, Britain's top court has ruled. The interpretation is for purposes of the country's Equality Act, the landmark five-judge bench judgement has clarified. Yet, the ruling comes as a blow since it excludes transgender women, even those with gender reassignment certificates, from the legal definition.

What will this mean on the ground? It will impact not just transgender women's access to toilets-a huge red flag in the so-called culture wars-but access to a host of single-sex facilities. Where, for instance will transgender women be housed in prisons and hospital wards? How will they access domestic violence shelters meant for women? Can a transgender woman sue ...