Irish actress Nicola Coughlan has said she is “completely horrified” and “outraged” by the Supreme Court's gender ruling and is raising money for a transgender charity.
The 38-year-old Bridgerton and Barbie star, who has long been an outspoken advocate for LGBT+ rights, said she would be making a donation of up to £10,000 (€11,700) to transgender organisation Not A Phase.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 “refers to a biological woman and biological sex”, meaning transgender women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex accommodation if it is “proportionate”.
The judges noted that transgender people were still protected from discrimination under equality legislation and that this interpretation of the law did not harm a “potentially vulnerable group”.
In an Instagram video, Coughlan said she was “completely shocked by the Supreme Court's decision.”
“Seeing an already marginalized community subjected to further attacks, including legal ones, is disgusting and horrible, and seeing people celebrate it is even more disgusting and horrible,” she added.
Coughlan has pledged to donate up to £10,000 (€11,700) to the “incredible” charity Not A Phase, which she says works hard to improve the lives of transgender adults.
“Now is the time to speak up and make your voice heard,” she said.
“Let your trans, non-binary friends and the wider community know that you stand with them and will continue to fight for them.”
The statement comes after Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears posted a video on Instagram in which he said the band “stand in complete solidarity with our transgender friends, family and community.”
“This decision is deeply saddening and we understand the pain and fear this is causing,” the “I Don't Feel Like Dancin'” singer added.
Shears also revealed that the pop group are “partnering with Not A Phase on our upcoming UK tour.”
The Supreme Court's ruling was hailed as a victory by women's rights activists, but the LG charity
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
