My social media feeds this Wednesday morning reflected two starkly contrasting realities in response to a devastating blow to transgender rights in the UK. J.K. Rowling, the celebrated author of the ‘Harry Potter’ series and a prominent anti-trans activist, posted a celebratory photo of herself on a yacht, captioned with the words “I love it when a plan comes together.” This image stood in stark opposition to the fear and despair expressed by my transgender friends in the UK, many voicing their terror at their government and considering fleeing the country.
This “plan” she referenced was the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that trans women should not be legally considered women, effectively erasing decades of progress for transgender rights. The court’s decision is particularly troubling given the lack of trans voices in the proceedings. Representatives from numerous anti-trans groups were heard, but no trans individuals or organizations provided testimony, largely due to a fear of disbelief and negative repercussions.
This silencing of trans voices mirrors the events surrounding the Cass Report, a supposedly impartial NHS investigation into youth gender medicine. Experts in transgender healthcare were similarly ignored in that report, further highlighting a disturbing pattern of exclusion and disregard for the lived experiences of trans people.
Adding to the concern is the significant financial connection between Rowling and the anti-trans movement. She reportedly donated £70,000 to For Women Scotland, the organization that initiated the lawsuit leading to the Supreme Court ruling. This financial contribution underscores the influence of wealthy individuals in shaping the political landscape and undermining transgender rights.
The timing of this ruling is particularly poignant, coinciding with HBO’s announcement of the cast for their upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ series, which includes John Lithgow as Dumbledore. Lithgow’s career received a boost after his Oscar-nominated portrayal of a trans woman, a stark contrast to the current context where he’s involved in a project with Rowling, an executive producer who might choose to further fund anti-trans causes.
This UK ruling is unfortunately not an isolated incident. Globally, we’ve seen a significant and disturbing rollback of transgender rights. In the US, the federal government has actively worked to exclude trans people from the military, erase trans-related language from government websites, and even prevent accurate passport issuance. The situation is so dire that the rights of trans individuals in the US often depend entirely on their geographic location.
For trans people in the UK, this ruling signals that the anti-trans lobby, currently influential within the Labour government, will likely push for further restrictions, including policies like bathroom bans. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has spearheaded the rollback of access to transition care, including banning puberty blockers for trans youth and restricting adult access to hormone therapy.
Comparing the situations in the US and UK, it’s difficult to determine which is worse. Both countries have wealthy individuals fueling the anti-trans movement – Elon Musk in the US and Rowling in the UK – without any comparable financial support for trans rights organizations. Yet, both countries also boast vibrant and resilient trans communities simply seeking to live their lives without constant government interference.
While the recent ruling represents a significant setback, it cannot diminish the inherent validity and existence of transgender people. The anti-trans forces may come and go, but the trans community will endure, a testament to our strength and resilience in the face of adversity. This is a comforting thought amidst the current storm.
