The UK Supreme Court has issued a ruling that has stirred significant controversy and concern among the LGBTQ+ community. The ruling declared that the protected characteristic of ‘sex’ under the Equality Act refers specifically to ‘biological’ women, excluding trans women from this definition. This decision has been met with strong reactions, particularly from stars of the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK franchise, who have voiced their opposition and support for the trans community.
Supreme Court's Landmark Decision
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued an 88-page judgment, concluding that in the context of the Equality Act 2010, the terms ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ are to be interpreted as referring only to biological women and biological sex. Supreme Court judge Lord Hodge clarified that this ruling should not be viewed as a victory for any specific group at the expense of another. “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,” Lord Hodge stated.
This case was brought to the court by gender-critical group For Women Scotland (FWS), with backing reportedly from author JK Rowling. The appeal was made against a previous ruling by judge Lady Haldane in December 2022, which had determined that sex is not exclusively bound to biology.
Drag Race UK Stars Express Outrage
Following the ruling, many Drag Race UK stars have spoken out passionately against the decision. Divina De Campo, a runner-up from the first season, took to social media platform X to express her dismay and encourage allies to take action. She declared, "The fight back starts today. We will not go back into the shadows to make you comfortable. F**k all the way off." Her message was a rallying cry for support and solidarity with the trans community.
Season two finalist Tayce also voiced her anger, posting on Instagram that the UK Supreme Court is a "POS" and offering her heartfelt support to her trans siblings. “My heart goes out to all my trans brothers and sisters eternally but more so today. Nothing or no-one can erase YOU,” she wrote, reinforcing the resilience and validity of trans identities.
Bimini, another Drag Race UK star, joined the chorus of support by sharing posts on Instagram, including a banner that read, "Trans women are women." She also shared an infographic from Not A Phase, further demonstrating her solidarity with the trans community.
Calls for Allyship and Action
Cara Melle, one of the few trans stars from Drag Race UK, expressed her concern over the ruling, noting how societal progress seems to be regressing, particularly impacting trans women. "The way time seems to be going backwards and all issues seem to be pointed in one direction (trans women) is oh so interesting. But we are resilient and going nowhere," she stated defiantly.
Tia Kofi, winner of Drag Race UK vs. the World, urged allies to step up and support the trans community more vocally. In several Instagram stories, she emphasized the importance of allyship, stating, "We, now more than ever, must be allies to the trans community. It cannot just be trans people who are expected to raise their voices to fight for their own existence." She highlighted the historical pattern of targeting marginalized groups, warning that the erosion of trans rights could lead to broader attacks on other minority communities.
Cheddar Gorgeous and Ella Vaday, both prominent figures from the Drag Race UK series, also took to social media to express their disappointment and concern over the ruling. Ella Vaday described the decision as a "devastating day for equality," urging trans individuals to continue living authentically.
In response to the ruling, Trans icon and Married at First Sight star Ella Morgan shared her feelings of fear, while Aimee Lou Wood from The White Lotus echoed these sentiments, underscoring the impact of such legal decisions on the LGBTQ+ community.
If this story has affected you, support is available. Contact Mindline Trans+ for support on Fridays from 8 pm to 11 pm at 0300 330 5468. For emotional support, Mindline is available 24/7 at 01823 276 892.
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