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Nicola Coughlan Criticizes JK Rowling Following Supreme Court Gender Ruling
Actress Nicola Coughlan has publicly rebuked author JK Rowling after Rowling celebrated a recent Supreme Court ruling on gender definitions via social media. The Harry Potter creator’s celebratory post followed a landmark Supreme Court decision this week which determined that the legal definition of “woman” is based on biological sex. This Supreme Court gender ruling clarifies that transgender women are not legally considered women under this definition.
Rowling’s Celebratory Post and Coughlan’s Reaction
Rowling, known for her outspoken views on gender issues, expressed her approval of the ruling on X. She posted a picture of herself enjoying a cigar and a drink on a yacht, accompanied by the caption: “I love it when a plan comes together.”
In response, Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, who voiced her “complete horror” at the Supreme Court’s decision, countered Rowling’s celebratory message with her own Instagram post. Coughlan shared an article titled “This is a new low for JK Rowling” and commented on the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, stating: “Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn’t touch it with a 10ft pole.”
Coughlan’s Earlier Disgust at the Ruling
Earlier in the week, Coughlan, aged 38, had already conveyed her strong disapproval of the Supreme Court’s verdict in a video. She described the ruling as “stomach-churning” and emphasized her dismay at the celebration of what she perceived as an attack on a marginalized community.
“To witness an already marginalized community being further attacked and attacked in law is truly stomach-churning and disgusting, and to see individuals celebrate this is even more stomach-churning and disgusting,” she stated in her video.
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Coughlan urged support for the transgender community, saying, “Make your voice heard and let your trans and non-binary friends and the broader community know that you are present for them and will continue advocating for them.”
Fundraiser Launched in Support of Transgender Charity
Coughlan’s video also served to announce a new fundraising initiative, which has already accumulated over £100,000. This campaign, spearheaded by the actress, aims to support the transgender charity Not A Phase.
Reactions to the Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court’s ruling, which mandates that the terms “sex,” “man,” and “woman” in the Equality Act exclusively denote “biological sex,” triggered scenes of jubilation among women’s rights groups and some Members of Parliament outside the Supreme Court in London. They hailed the decision as a “common sense” victory.
Conservative Party figure Kemi Badenoch also praised what women’s rights advocates have termed a “victory for women.” Badenoch asserted, “Saying ‘trans women are women’ was factually incorrect, and is now legally inaccurate as well.” She further commented, “The era of Keir Starmer asserting that women can have penises has concluded.”
This ruling signifies that the legal definition of “woman” is restricted to individuals born female, and transgender women are not entitled to access single-sex women-only spaces, such as restrooms and changing facilities.
Protests Erupt in London and Edinburgh
The ruling has ignited considerable controversy, particularly among transgender activists who expressed outrage. Thousands of demonstrators convened in London to protest, carrying flags and chanting slogans.
Demonstrations also took place in Edinburgh, mirroring the London protests. Activists in the Scottish capital marched and voiced their opposition to the gender ruling.
Vandalism During London Protests
During the London demonstrations, several statues in the capital were targeted. Notably, a statue of suffragette Millicent Fawcett was defaced with a banner bearing an expletive and the word “rights.”
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating these acts as criminal damage due to the graffiti on the statues.
Police Response to Protest Damage
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, overseeing the police operation for the protest, expressed disappointment at the damage inflicted on statues and property.
“We uphold the public’s right to protest, but such criminal acts are utterly unacceptable,” he stated. “We are currently investigating this criminal damage and urge anyone with information to contact us, quoting reference number 01/7396927/25.”
Protestor Demands and Group Involvement
The “emergency demonstration” unfolded in London’s Parliament Square, which houses statues of prominent political figures. Protesters advocated for “trans liberation” and “trans rights now,” displaying flags and banners.
Organizations supporting the London protest included Trans Kids Deserve Better, Pride in Labour, Flint (Front for the Liberation of Intersex Non-binary and Transgender people), and TransActual.
Organizers’ Perspective on the Ruling
Avery Greatorex, co-chair of Pride in Labour, conveyed to the PA news agency that the transgender community was excluded from the Supreme Court case deliberations. “Not a single trans person or trans organization was represented in that case, denying us a seat at the table when decisions impacting our community are made,” Greatorex stated.
Greatorex added that the protests aimed to exert pressure on the government and the public to act, emphasizing the need for “legislative power and lobbying power” to secure trans rights and protections.
Voices from the Protests
Spokespersons from groups like Trans Kids Deserve Better voiced their opposition to the ruling, decrying the “transmisogyny” they believe fueled the court’s decision. They affirmed their commitment to continue fighting for transgender rights and freedoms.
Lauren Yeoman, a participant in the Edinburgh demonstration, expressed her “disgust” at what she perceived as a revocation of transgender human rights, describing the ruling’s impact as feeling “sickening” and indicative of “backward steps.”
Government and Labour Party Responses
Earlier in the week, the government asserted that the unanimous Supreme Court ruling provided “clarity and confidence,” while a Labour Party source indicated that Sir Keir Starmer had guided the party toward a “common sense position” on the issue.