Artists show support for transgender community after Supreme Court ruling
Countless musicians, including pop band Scissor Sisters and singer Rachel Chinouriri, have taken to social media to show support for the transgender community after the UK Supreme Court’s controversial gender ruling.
On April 16th, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the legal definition of a woman is, and must be, based on biological sex. The acting judge stressed the ruling was not a “triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another”, but it has very real consequences for transgender communities across the country.
Many musicians and actors reacted against the news, which necessitates policy-making based on biological determinism. In one statement, Perfume Genius wrote: “To all my trans friends and family and fans and not fans, I am so sorry and heartbroken and cannot imagine how scary and overwhelming things have been. I love you.”
In a video statement, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears expressed “full solidarity” with the trans community, saying, “We want to send our love and unwavering support to everyone affected.” Shears also announced that the band would partner with a trans charity, Not a Phase, on their upcoming tour.
Singer-songwriter Rachel Chinouriri took to X to express her disappointment at the decision, writing, “Still not really sure what to say… The ruling of the Supreme Court is an enormous blow and step backwards for trans women and the safety of the trans community that we all have a duty to protect.”
Chinouriri continued, “I don’t know where to even begin but we all have a duty to try and help the trans community in anyway we can. […] please make sure you choose the right side of humanity until trans people are allowed to exist freely.”
The White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood also shared her frustration on Instagram, by reposting words from British author Ellen Jones on her Story. In the post, Jones said the ruling “sets an alarmingly dangerous precedent,” and claimed that, “trans people will die as a result of this judgement.” In overlaying text, Wood added, “Pure rage. This country is a hellhole.”
Many other musicians, such as Lambrini Girls, Garbage, Shame, Billy Bragg, Jade, Mae Muller and Cat Burns shared statements of support and resources for the transgender community.
Though the court claims this is not a triumph of one group at the expense of another, JK Rowling also used social media to comment on the rulings. “The fact that so many UK trans activists are shrieking about injustice says it all,” she wrote.
The Harry Potter author continued: “You never had the rights you claim you’ve now lost; you had demands. Your sense of entitlement grew unchecked because cowards and idiots bowed down to your campaign of intimidation. No longer.”
She also tweeted a picture looking joyful and smug, holding a beverage and smoking a cigar in front of a peaceful ocean setting. “I love it when a plan comes together,” she captioned the picture on X.A similar ruling was recently passed in the US. Them has reported that countless trans artists are now cancelling tours because of the judgment.
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