British trans icons have issued powerful words to the trans and non-binary community in the wake of the UK Supreme Court ruling, which states that the legal definition of a woman excludes trans women. 

The ruling was passed on Wednesday (16 April) after a two-day hearing in London in 2024, with the 88-page judgement by the court’s justices stating that although trans people are protected legally from discrimination under the law, the definition of a woman is “limited to biological sex”.

“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,” Supreme Court judge Lord Hodge said during the landmark case.

Despite making clear that the judges “counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another, it is not”, the trans and non-binary community is bracing itself for the fallout of the ruling, especially when it comes to public bodies and organisations operating single-sex spaces.

In response to the ruling, trans people and their allies – including the likes of Drag Race stars and The White Lotus’ Aimee Lou Wood – have reacted with stern words about the impact the definition will have on some of the most historically marginalised people in society. 

Love in Exile writer Shon Faye told her “trans siblings” on Instagram that “we will carry on” despite the “very bleak” outcome of the ruling. 

“Practically very little will change for most trans women, who have been dealing with a hostile environment in this country for many years,” Faye wrote on her Story. “I’m gutted though because these people won’t stop here – they have a taste for it now.”

Model and activist Munroe Bergdorf wrote on the social media site, “We’ll get through this together.”

“Spending the next few days listening/speaking to legal experts about how this will impact the future of our community in the UK,” she wrote.

“In the meantime, please hold each other close.”

Queen B author Juno Dawson urged “every trans person and their friends to get offline and go for a cup of tea and a little cake” in the wake of the ruling.

“I am a woman today, I was a woman yesterday, I will be a woman tomorrow,” she affirmed.

“A judge who wouldn’t even hear from a single trans person doesn’t know us better than we know ourselves. We are who we say we are, and they are very sad people.”

MAFS UK star Ella Morgan told PinkNews that those affected by the news should spend time with their families, chosen or otherwise. 

“Talk to your loved ones. Talk to your friends, whether it’s your family or your chosen family. Reach out to charities like Switchboard, but talk to those closest to you that you know, love and see you as you.”

If this story has affected you, call Mindline Trans+ on Fridays 8 pm-11 pm on 0300 330 5468. For emotional support, Mindline is available 24/7 on 01823 276 892.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful. 

The post Powerful words from trans British icons in wake of UK Supreme Court ruling: ‘We will carry on’ appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.