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“Destroyed Your Entire Legacy”: JK Rowling Gloats With Rooftop Selfie After New Trans Ruling
“Destroyed Your Entire Legacy”: JK Rowling Gloats With Rooftop Selfie After New Trans Ruling
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“Destroyed Your Entire Legacy”: JK Rowling Gloats With Rooftop Selfie After New Trans Ruling

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J.K. Rowling has continued her celebrations after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terms “woman” and “s*x” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to only biological s*x.

The decision was made unanimously by five judges of Britain’s highest court.

On Wednesday (April 16), the Harry Potter author shared a photo of herself enjoying a cigar and a cocktail.

Highlights
  • J.K. Rowling posted a photo celebrating the recent UK Supreme Court ruling that the word "woman" refers to biological females in the Equality Act.
  • Rowling posed sipping a cocktail and wrote that her plan had "come together."
  • The Harry Potter author has been vocal about her views on transgender issues several times.

“I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights,” she captioned the photo taken by her daughter.

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    A woman with red hair stands among a group of people, wearing a black coat, after a Supreme Court ruling on trans rights.

    Image credits: Euan Cherry / Getty

    Rowling said the ruling was a victory for “women and girls, including trans-identified women (continue to benefit from maternity rights etc), gay people, freedom of speech, freedom of association,” and “those at risk of discrimination for a belief in the material reality of s*x.”

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    The decision marked the culmination of a legal dispute between the campaign group For Women Scotland and the Scottish Government over the definition of “woman” in the Equality Act, the primary legal instrument in the fight against all forms of discrimination in the UK.


    Rowling then addressed those who opposed the ruling.

    “The fact that so many UK trans activists are shrieking about injustice says it all. 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.”

    The 59-year-old congratulated campaign group For Women Scotland, who brought a case against the Scottish government, arguing that s*x-based protections should only apply to people who are born female and not trans women with gender recognition certificates (GRCs).

    Rowling called the ruling a victory for women, freedom of speech, and “those at risk of discrimination for a belief in the material reality of s*x”

    Celebratory crowd outside Supreme Court after ruling on trans rights, highlighting J.K. Rowling's response.

    Image credits: NBC

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    “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,” she penned.

    “@ForWomenScot, I’m so proud to know you.”

    Rowling confirmed she had financially backed For Women Scotland’s legal efforts. She reportedly donated £70,000 (approx. $92,750) to support the group.

    Women holding a banner and drinks outside a court, celebrating a ruling related to trans rights.

    Image credits: Richard Baker / Getty

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    The legal battle began in 2018 when the Scottish Parliament passed a bill designed to ensure gender balance on public sector boards.

    For Women Scotland complained that ministers had included trans people as part of the quotas in that law.

    The Scottish government argued in court that trans people with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) were entitled to the same s*x-based protections as cisgender women.

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    The Supreme Court was then asked to decide on the proper interpretation of the word “woman” in the Equality Act, which applies across England, Scotland, and Wales.

    The ruling declared that the term “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 refers only to biological women

    A UK government spokesman said the ruling would bring “clarity,” especially regarding single-s*x spaces and for service providers such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs.

    “Single-s*x spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government,” the spokesman stated.

    Regarding women-only spaces, Rowling sarcastically wrote, “Spare a thought today for the UK employers, government departments, health boards, academic institutions, and sporting bodies who’ve been breaking equality law to appease activist groups. So many HR manuals to pulp. So many out-of-court settlements to pay.”

    Responding to her critics, she wrote, “Sorry to hear women defending their rights scares you. Maybe go f**k yourself?”

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    It was the culmination of a legal battle between the Scottish government and the campaign group For Women Scotland

    Two people walking, one with trans flag around shoulders, reflecting on trans rights after Supreme Court ruling.

    Image credits: Delia Giandeini / Unsplash (Not the actual photo)

    The Supreme Court stressed that the ruling does not remove protection for trans people under the Equality Act and should not be seen as a triumph of one side over the other.

    Judge Lord Hodge said the Equality Act “gives transgender people protection not only against discrimination through the protected characteristics of gender reassignment, but also against direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, and harassment, in substance, in their acquired gender.”

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    The Harry Potter author supported  For Women Scotland during the campaign, reportedly contributing £70,000

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    For Women Scotland asked for a “common sense” interpretation of the words “man and woman,” telling the court that s*x is an “immutable biological state.”

    Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the ruling was a “victory for all of the women who faced personal ab*se or lost their jobs for stating the obvious.”

    She added: “Saying ‘trans women are women’ was never true in fact and now isn’t true in law, either. The era of [Prime Minister] Keir Starmer telling us that some women have penises has come to an end. Hallelujah!”

    Author in an elegant gown at an event, addressing critics on trans rights ruling.

    Image credits: Stuart C. Wilson / Getty

    Maggie Chapman, a member of Parliament of the Scottish Green Party, slammed the decision as a “deeply concerning ruling for human rights and a huge blow to some of the most marginalized people in our society.”

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    Scottish Trans manager Vic Valentine said the ruling “reverses 20 years of understanding on how the law recognizes trans men and women with gender recognition certificates.”

    Valentine stated that the decision brings uncertainty for trans people and expressed concern that it could potentially lead to their exclusion from both men’s and women’s spaces and services.

    People criticized J.K. Rowling for her comments following the recent ruling

    Tweet criticizing J.K. Rowling's focus on trans rights instead of Harry Potter, highlighting free speech concerns.

    Image credits: ToIkienverse

    Tweet criticizing J.K. Rowling's stance on trans rights, highlighting disappointment from book fans.

    Image credits: JunetteMiss

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    Tweet reaction to J.K. Rowling's statement on trans rights by user João Alho on April 17, 2025.

    Image credits: reumalho

    Tweet replying to J.K. Rowling criticizing her stance on trans rights.

    Image credits: hayasaka_aryan

    Tweet replying to J.K. Rowling about being viewed as a villain after Supreme Court ruling on trans rights.

    Image credits: MiaSkylar

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    Tweet replying to J.K. Rowling about HBO's Harry Potter and focus on financial motives.

    Image credits: sampantojapa

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    Tweet criticizing J.K. Rowling's stance on trans rights by a user with a comment about wealth and gender.

    Image credits: thepostsoffice

    A tweet criticizing J.K. Rowling with a comparison to Dolores Umbridge after a Supreme Court ruling on trans rights.

    Image credits: mrbombastic2401

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    Tweet responding to J.K. Rowling about trans rights, expressing strong disapproval with "Gross!!" and a green nauseated emoji.

    Image credits: realrebalove

    Tweet replying to J.K. Rowling about trans rights critics, mentioning "hateful witches," posted on April 17, 2025.

    Image credits: Angelcalling5

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    Tweet reply criticizing J.K. Rowling on trans rights ruling, featuring a comment on misogyny.

    Image credits: SargentUniverse

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    Tweet criticizing J.K. Rowling's stance on trans rights after Supreme Court ruling, discussing legacy and intolerance.

    Image credits: JoJoFromJerz

    Tweet responding to J.K. Rowling about trans rights, expressing frustration over the celebration of rights removal.

    Image credits: UtdKeith_

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

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    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    What do you think ?
    A girl
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you dress like a woman, walk like a woman, feel like a woman. You go grrl. I'm not grabbing fronts looking for signs. Rowlings is worried about stuff she doesn't need to be. Some people like being outraged.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trans women are women. I know what the "legal" ruling in the UK said, and that's fine. Trans women are still women. Trans men are men. Non-binary and genderfluid people exist.

    Load More Replies...
    Ellinor
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What sad is that they don't even hide their misogyny anymore. They started attacking women (because yes, trans women are women) and many think that it's a great thing but it's not. Because their next target will be cisgender women, and many of them (like the ones with Turner syndrome) are already harmed with that decision. People are so against trans women that they don't even realise that the Court completely forgot about trans men. They only want to hurt women, and all the cis women celebrating today are going to cry tomorrow when their rights gen slowly taken away.

    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Elinor, re. "People are so against trans women that they don't even realise that the Court completely forgot about trans men." The case was about a legal definition of both 'man' and 'woman', and the judgement included a reiteration of the rights of all transgender people, so no, trans men were not 'forgotten' by the court. Quote: "Judge Lord Hodge said the Equality Act “gives transgender people protection not only against discrimination through the protected characteristics of gender reassignment, but also against direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, and harassment, in substance, in their acquired gender.” And no, women's rights are not going to be taken away; that's just a vengeful fantasy. In fact, women's séx-based rights have just been confirmed and, far from trans rights being taken away, they have also been confirmed in the ruling.

    Load More Replies...
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    jmmorris10
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She stands by her beliefs. She has a right to her own beliefs.

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And others have a right to comment when she continues to shove her beliefs in everyone's faces.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    A girl
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you dress like a woman, walk like a woman, feel like a woman. You go grrl. I'm not grabbing fronts looking for signs. Rowlings is worried about stuff she doesn't need to be. Some people like being outraged.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trans women are women. I know what the "legal" ruling in the UK said, and that's fine. Trans women are still women. Trans men are men. Non-binary and genderfluid people exist.

    Load More Replies...
    Ellinor
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What sad is that they don't even hide their misogyny anymore. They started attacking women (because yes, trans women are women) and many think that it's a great thing but it's not. Because their next target will be cisgender women, and many of them (like the ones with Turner syndrome) are already harmed with that decision. People are so against trans women that they don't even realise that the Court completely forgot about trans men. They only want to hurt women, and all the cis women celebrating today are going to cry tomorrow when their rights gen slowly taken away.

    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Elinor, re. "People are so against trans women that they don't even realise that the Court completely forgot about trans men." The case was about a legal definition of both 'man' and 'woman', and the judgement included a reiteration of the rights of all transgender people, so no, trans men were not 'forgotten' by the court. Quote: "Judge Lord Hodge said the Equality Act “gives transgender people protection not only against discrimination through the protected characteristics of gender reassignment, but also against direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, and harassment, in substance, in their acquired gender.” And no, women's rights are not going to be taken away; that's just a vengeful fantasy. In fact, women's séx-based rights have just been confirmed and, far from trans rights being taken away, they have also been confirmed in the ruling.

    Load More Replies...
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    jmmorris10
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She stands by her beliefs. She has a right to her own beliefs.

    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And others have a right to comment when she continues to shove her beliefs in everyone's faces.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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