Opinion
18 Apr 25

SexyTadhg on UK Supreme Court ruling on definition of woman: "We only survive these attacks by coming together as a community"

Sexy Tadhg at Cork City Hall / Copyright Trevor McGrath.

Reactions to the UK Supreme Court ruling on the definition of "woman" continue to be posted online, from performers and artists to TDs and politicians.

Singer and performer SexyTadhg said they are "appalled" by the UK Supreme Court's recent ruling on the definitions of "woman" and "sex."

"I'm absolutely appalled by the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of women being reduced to their biological sex," they wrote in a post to Instagram. "This is not a win for feminism, this is transphobic oppression disguised as feminism."

"We only survive these attacks by coming together as a community and supporting our loved ones who are under threat," SexyTadhg added.

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A post shared by SexyTadhg (@sexytadhg)

Earlier this week, the UK Supreme Court ruled that "the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex."

Transgender and LGBTQ+ rights groups have voiced concern over the decision, worried that it may impact the rights of transgender people. The court insisted that transgender people will still be entitled to protection under the Equality Act on the basis of gender reassignment.

Other reactions to the ruling have sparked controversy, including comments made by Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane in a now deleted post to X.

In the post, Cullinane wrote that the decision "is a common sense judgement" and appeared to call for a similar examination of Irish legislation.

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane deleted X post

He later deleted the post and apologised for "the hurt and offence that I have caused to the trans community following a tweet I sent last night."

"I'm sure those in the trans community will feel vulnerable and isolated today in the aftermath of yesterday's judgement, and I apologise that my words added to that," he continued.

In response to Cullinane's comments, Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin called for Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald to clarify the party's position on the subject. They also requested she "call for the reversal of the puberty blocker ban" in reference to a ban last year of puberty blockers in Northern Ireland, which Sinn Féin supported.

"Should this not happen," read a statement from the organisation. "Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin have come to the decision that Sinn Féin will be banned from attending our march in July."