Coughlan Raises £100k for Trans Charity After UK Court Ruling

Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan has helped raise over £100,000 for the transgender charity Not A Phase in response to the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that the legal definition of 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act refers to biological women and biological sex. Coughlan, expressing her dismay at the decision—which allows transgender women with a gender recognition certificate to be excluded from single-sex spaces if deemed proportionate—matched donations up to £10,000 and encouraged public support for the trans community. The fundraiser quickly surpassed its initial target, garnering support from other celebrities and the broader public. Coughlan also publicly criticized author J.K. Rowling, who celebrated the ruling and has been a prominent supporter of gender-critical feminism. The ruling and Rowling's reaction sparked protests and rallies from trans rights groups across the UK. Coughlan's actions highlight ongoing divisions in public opinion over trans rights and the legal interpretation of gender in the UK.