“Bridgerton” star Nicola Coughlan is speaking out to counter J.K. Rowling’s transphobic stance.
On Wednesday, the U.K. Supreme Court ruled that transgender women are excluded from the legal definition of “women.” After the decision was made, Rowling shared a post on X, formerly Twitter, celebrating the outcome. In the image, she’s seen on an oceanfront balcony, cigar in hand, with a glass of wine raised.
The caption read, “I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.”
Coughlan caught wind of it, and had a few choice words for the author. In a now-expired Instagram Story, the actor shared a Thursday article from The Cut headlined, “This Is A New Low For J.K. Rowling.”
Coughlan wrote, “Keep your new Harry Potter lads,” in reference to HBO’s upcoming revival of the series, which Rowling is deeply involved with. The Irish actor added that she “wouldn’t touch [the series] with a ten-foot pole.”
The “Derry Girls” star continued her support for the LGBTQ+ community in a follow-up Instagram video, urging allies to show up now more than ever.
“I am completely horrified by the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday about trans people,” she said. “To see an already marginalized community being further attacked and attacked in law is really stomach churning and disgusting.”
She went on to say it was even more “stomach churning” to see people actually celebrate the ruling, a comment clearly directed to Rowling.
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Coughlan also announced that she would be starting a fund for the U.K.-based non-profit Not A Phase, a charity supporting trans individuals.
“If you are a cisgender person who is an ally of a trans person, I think now is the time to just sort of speak up and make your voice heard,” she said. “Let your trans, nonbinary friends and just the community at large know that you’re there for them and will keep fighting for them.”
