J.K. Rowling has responded to a landmark UK Supreme Court ruling that defines “woman” as referring to biological sex under Britain’s Equality Act — a decision that could reshape how gender is treated in British law.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rowling praised the outcome, calling it a major victory for women’s rights. “It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,” Rowling wrote in a post tagging the activist group @ForWomenScot. “I’m so proud to know you.”
The post has since surpassed 2 million views, igniting intense reactions both in support of and against her stance. One user commented, "We in the U.S. are very glad to see some sanity restored in the UK. Congratulations!" Many people in the comment section welcomed the ruling but also expressed that it was disappointing that the courts had to intervene in such matters.
The Supreme Court ruling, announced on Wednesday, confirmed that under the Equality Act 2010 , the terms “woman” and “sex” refer strictly to biological sex, not gender identity.
Deputy President Lord Hodge stated: “The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological women and biological sex.”
The decision follows a years-long legal battle initiated by For Women Scotland, challenging the Scottish government’s attempt to include trans women in the gender quota for public boards. The government had amended its guidance to state that trans women with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) could be counted as women under the Equality Act — a position the Supreme Court has now overruled.
Outside the courtroom, Susan Smith, co-director of For Women Scotland, welcomed the decision as a clear message that female-only spaces must remain protected. “Services and spaces designated for women are for women,” Smith told reporters. “Everybody should be protected by the Equality Act. This is not about prejudice or bigotry, as some people would say… It’s just about saying that there are differences, and biology is one of those differences, and we just need protections based on that.”
Rowling is reported to have financially supported the group’s legal efforts. The ruling has triggered widespread commentary from activists, celebrities, and advocacy groups.
Ella Morgan, TV personality and trans rights campaigner, expressed shock and fear. Speaking to The Independent, she said:
“I woke up today and saw my rights as a human being have been taken away… I don’t know how some people will sleep at night when trans people are murdered, assaulted and brutally attacked because of this [ruling].”
Morgan, the first trans woman to appear on Channel 4’s Married at First Sight UK, added: “We have always existed and will always exist. This will never scare us away and, if anything, our fight will be stronger.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Trans, a group advocating for trans rights, issued a caution on social media: “We’d urge people not to panic. There will be lots of commentary coming out quickly that is likely to deliberately overstate the impact that this decision is going to have on all trans people’s lives.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Kate Barker, CEO of the LGB Alliance, described the judgment as a "watershed."
“The ruling confirms that the words ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ refer to same-sex sexual orientation and makes it absolutely clear that lesbians wishing to form associations of any size are lawfully entitled to exclude men – whether or not they possess a GRC,” Barker said, as reported by the Press Association.
Piers Morgan, famous journalist, posted on X saying, "The consequence of today’s UK Supreme Court ruling on women/biology is that while trans people should be entitled to the same rights to fairness, equality and safety as anyone else - and I sincerely believe that - they can’t erode women’s rights in the process. End."
LGBTQ charity Stonewall said the UK Supreme Court's decision was “incredibly worrying for the trans community.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rowling praised the outcome, calling it a major victory for women’s rights. “It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,” Rowling wrote in a post tagging the activist group @ForWomenScot. “I’m so proud to know you.”
The post has since surpassed 2 million views, igniting intense reactions both in support of and against her stance. One user commented, "We in the U.S. are very glad to see some sanity restored in the UK. Congratulations!" Many people in the comment section welcomed the ruling but also expressed that it was disappointing that the courts had to intervene in such matters.
It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. @ForWomenScot, I’m so proud to know you 🏴💜🏴💚🏴🤍🏴 https://t.co/JEvcScVVGS
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025
The Supreme Court ruling, announced on Wednesday, confirmed that under the Equality Act 2010 , the terms “woman” and “sex” refer strictly to biological sex, not gender identity.
Deputy President Lord Hodge stated: “The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological women and biological sex.”
The decision follows a years-long legal battle initiated by For Women Scotland, challenging the Scottish government’s attempt to include trans women in the gender quota for public boards. The government had amended its guidance to state that trans women with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) could be counted as women under the Equality Act — a position the Supreme Court has now overruled.
Congratulations to @ForWomenScot for this unequivocal win at appeal!
— LabourWomen’sDeclaration 🦖 (@LabWomenDec) April 16, 2025
Women’s & lesbians' rights are human rights. They do not impinge on others' rights.@UKLabour Gov & public bodies must now review all existing policies to bring them in line with this ruling & common sense. pic.twitter.com/LwUIokuLSC
Outside the courtroom, Susan Smith, co-director of For Women Scotland, welcomed the decision as a clear message that female-only spaces must remain protected. “Services and spaces designated for women are for women,” Smith told reporters. “Everybody should be protected by the Equality Act. This is not about prejudice or bigotry, as some people would say… It’s just about saying that there are differences, and biology is one of those differences, and we just need protections based on that.”
Rowling is reported to have financially supported the group’s legal efforts. The ruling has triggered widespread commentary from activists, celebrities, and advocacy groups.
Ella Morgan, TV personality and trans rights campaigner, expressed shock and fear. Speaking to The Independent, she said:
“I woke up today and saw my rights as a human being have been taken away… I don’t know how some people will sleep at night when trans people are murdered, assaulted and brutally attacked because of this [ruling].”
Morgan, the first trans woman to appear on Channel 4’s Married at First Sight UK, added: “We have always existed and will always exist. This will never scare us away and, if anything, our fight will be stronger.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Trans, a group advocating for trans rights, issued a caution on social media: “We’d urge people not to panic. There will be lots of commentary coming out quickly that is likely to deliberately overstate the impact that this decision is going to have on all trans people’s lives.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Kate Barker, CEO of the LGB Alliance, described the judgment as a "watershed."
“The ruling confirms that the words ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ refer to same-sex sexual orientation and makes it absolutely clear that lesbians wishing to form associations of any size are lawfully entitled to exclude men – whether or not they possess a GRC,” Barker said, as reported by the Press Association.
Piers Morgan, famous journalist, posted on X saying, "The consequence of today’s UK Supreme Court ruling on women/biology is that while trans people should be entitled to the same rights to fairness, equality and safety as anyone else - and I sincerely believe that - they can’t erode women’s rights in the process. End."
LGBTQ charity Stonewall said the UK Supreme Court's decision was “incredibly worrying for the trans community.”
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