UK Supreme Court Declares Transwomen Are Not 'Real Women': JK Rowling, Other Celebrities Likely Support The Ruling

A recent decision by the United Kingdom's highest court has ignited a fierce debate, ruling that transwomen are not legally considered 'women' under the Equality Act in a specific pensions case. This judgment has drawn significant public attention, particularly due to the vocal support it has received from author JK Rowling and other prominent figures.

The UK's top judges have all agreed that the law on equality defines a woman through her biological sex. This decision concludes a lengthy court fight that might significantly alter how rights based on gender are applied throughout Scotland, England, and Wales.

Landmark Ruling On Sex-Based Rights In The UK

The court's decision supported the arguments of For Women Scotland, a campaign group that brought a case against the Scottish government. This group contended that safeguards related to sex should only include individuals who are female from birth.

Lord Hodge, one of the judges, clarified that the ruling shouldn't be seen as one group winning over another. He emphasised that the law continues to shield transgender individuals from unfair treatment. In court, the Scottish government maintained that transgender individuals holding a gender recognition certificate (GRC) should receive the same protections based on sex as women born female.

Lord Hodge explained that the main point of contention was the legal definition of the terms' woman' and 'sex.' 'He told the court: The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex.'

'But we counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another; it is not,' he added. As they exited the courtroom, the campaigners who had challenged the Scottish government celebrated with hugs and raised fists; some were visibly emotional.

Celebrity Voices Back The Supreme Court Ruling

This significant legal pronouncement has resonated beyond the courtroom, drawing public endorsements from several well-known figures.

1. J.K. Rowling

In December, Rowling sparked debate with her statements regarding transgender issues. The celebrated author of the Harry Potter series, in her recent post on X, asserted that transgender children 'do not exist' and rejected the idea of being 'born in the wrong body.'

The controversy ignited after a user on X called out Rowling for supposedly failing to leverage her platform for beneficial impact. 'I wish you would use your immense power for good. Your hateful focus on trans kids is hurtful and unnecessary,' the user wrote.

In response, Rowling wrote, 'There are no trans kids. No child is 'born in the wrong body'. There are only adults like you, prepared to sacrifice the health of minors to bolster your belief in an ideology that ends up wrecking more harm than lobotomies and false memory syndrome combined.'

2. Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley, from the iconic band KISS, shared his opinions on the growing encouragement for the public to accept body-altering gender transition procedures for children and teenagers. He posted these thoughts on X on 30 April, in a message titled: 'My Thoughts on What I'm Seeing.'

'There is a BIG difference between teaching acceptance and normalising and even encouraging participation in a lifestyle that confuses young children into questioning their sexual identification as though some sort of game and then parents in some cases allow it,' the 73-year-old musician wrote.

3. Dee Snider

Dee Snider, another rock musician famous for his work with Twisted Sister, offered his perspective while supporting Stanley's viewpoint. Responding to Stanley's initial tweet, where he described this social trend as a "fad," Snider recounted, 'There was a time where I 'felt pretty' too.'

'Glad my parents didn't jump to any rash conclusions!' he added. Snider then commended his fellow musician's assessment, stating, 'Well said.'

4. Rob Schneider

Rob Schneider, an actor and comedian known for his roles in several Adam Sandler films following their time together on 'Saturday Night Live,' has become a vocal critic of the Democratic Party in recent years.

Reacting to an X post on 19 April by Riley Gaines, a prominent female athlete, which included a video of female athlete Payton McNabb being 'spiked in the face by a male competing with the women' and her account of the incident, Schneider asserted 'This s--- has to stop.'

'If the parents, coaches and 'women' athletes ALL REFUSE TO PLAY against these MEN...IT ALL STOPS!' he wrote. Other X posts that Schneider has recently shared indicate that the actor also has concerns about the growing trend of irreversibly harming young people experiencing gender dysphoria. These concerns relate to the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical castration.

5. Anne Robinson

Anne Robinson, a well-known British television presenter famous for hosting the game show 'The Weakest Link' in both the UK and the US, shared her views on LGBT issues in an interview with The Telegraph last year.

When asked 'What is a woman?', the veteran game show host offered a direct answer: 'A woman is someone with a vagina.' Robinson's remark occurred shortly after Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden's successful nominee to the US Supreme Court the previous year, declined to define the word 'woman' during her confirmation hearings.

6. Brett Favre

During a 16 May appearance on sportscaster Jason Whitlock's 'Fearless' podcast, former NFL player Brett Favre voiced his confusion and disapproval regarding 'a young man who identifies as a girl ... can go into a girls' bathroom and use restrooms with girls.'

He added, 'For us to think that's okay, I think is wrong. I just think some things that we're allowing in this country are beyond belief.' Favre also noted that, 'some of the thoughts and beliefs that we're seeing are crazy and somebody's got to speak up.'

7. Carlos Santana

During a July concert in Atlantic City, New Jersey, rock musician Carlos Santana told the audience, 'When God made you and me, before we came out of the womb, you knew who you are and what you are.'

He pointed out that 'Later on, when you grow out of it, you see things that you start believing that you could be something that ... it sounds good, but you know it ain't right,' adding 'a woman is a woman and a man is a man.'

8. Alice Cooper

In an interview featured by Stereogum on 23 August, rock singer Alice Cooper shared his perspective on the remarks made by his fellow musicians Stanley and Snider: 'I'm understanding that there are cases of transgender, but I'm afraid that it's also a fad, and I'm afraid there's a lot of people claiming to be this just because they want to be that. I find it wrong when you've got a six-year-old kid who has no idea. He just wants to play, and you're confusing him, telling him 'Yeah, you're a boy, but you could be a girl if you want to be.'

'I think that's so confusing to a kid. It's even confusing to a teenager. You're still trying to find your identity, and yet here's this thing going on, saying 'Yeah, but you can be anything you want. You can be a cat if you want to be,' he added. Cooper also noted that 'it's gone now to the point of absurdity" before denouncing what he called "this whole woke thing.'

Cooper specifically questioned the use of the phrase 'birthing person' instead of 'mother,' asking, 'Who is this person that's making these rules?' After telling the publication, 'I don't get it,' the musician insisted, 'I'm not being old school about it. I'm being logical about it.'

In conclusion, the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of 'woman' has ignited a significant debate, amplified by the support of various celebrities who have openly shared their perspectives on the issue of biological sex and gender identity.