UK SC ruling on women: JK Rowling uses difference between cigar and blunt to make point about biological sex

Someone’s in a celebratory mood, and it’s none other than JK Rowling .

She might not get a chance to enjoy a feast at the Great Hall, but the Harry Potter author made sure to become her own cheerleader to mark her ‘personal victory’ after the UK Supreme Court ruling .


What happened?

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom recently shocked a chunk of the world after the ruling that found transgender women are not legally women.

In a landmark verdict, the UK Supreme Court declared that the legal definition of "woman" under the Equality Act 2010 refers strictly to biological sex , which excludes transgender women, even though they have gender recognition certificates (GRCs).

I love it when a plan comes together.#SupremeCourt #WomensRights pic.twitter.com/agOkWmhPgb

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025

It was brought to the court by " For Women Scotland " (FWS) after the requirements for the country’s parliament were adjusted to require 50% of its representation to be women, but allowed transgender women with Gender Recognition Certificates to legally identify them women to qualify. This five-bench unanimous ruling came after FWS argued that the Scottish policy meant parliament could consist entirely of biological males.

Rowling, who is a vocal supporter of FWS and has been outspoken against the trans movement, which she views largely as an encroachment of males into female spaces, frequently cites debates over sports, bathrooms, prisons, representation, and other public spaces, was quite visibly elated after the ruling was declared and before she made sure to express her joy over the same, she took to social media to share how proud she was of FWS. She posted, “It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK.” Rowling added, “I’m so proud to know you.”



The celebratory gesture:

After the UK Supreme Court ruling, the Harry Potter author shared a photo of her with champagne glasses and a cigar in hand, indicating the celebration of the controversial verdict, writing, “I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights.”

She later reposted her own post, as part of the clarification, saying, “To those celebrating the fact that I'm smoking a blunt: it's a cigar. Even if it decided to identify as a blunt for the purposes of this celebration, it would remain objectively, provably and demonstratively a cigar.”

To those celebrating the fact that I'm smoking a blunt: it's a cigar. Even if it decided to identify as a blunt for the purposes of this celebration, it would remain objectively, provably and demonstratively a cigar. https://t.co/OsBUsrmLvZ

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025

On a spree to clearly not contain her excitement over the verdict, the noted British author wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Winners in the UK Supreme Court today: Women and girls, including trans-identified women (continue to benefit from maternity rights etc), Gay people, Freedom of speech, Freedom of association, Those at risk of discrimination for a belief in the material reality of sex.”


The history of ‘selective activism’:

Rowling has a very public history of opposing transgender identities and rights and has often characterized many trans activists as bullies, and accused the movement of reducing women's rights and jeopardizing gay rights.


The author, time and again, has also questioned the very nature of transgenderism. Last year in December, she took to X, stating, “There are no trans kids. No child is ‘born in the wrong body’” and accused adults of subjecting children to gender-affirming treatments she equated to “lobotomies.”

Rowling’s stance has earned the author of the beloved magical book series her share of enemies – including numerous stars of the wildly successful Harry Potter movies speaking out against her opinion. While her beliefs have also left her boycotted and protested by activists over the years, she still remains firm in her ground of beliefs; and if that needs any more reassurance, her latest celebratory gesture has been a proud testament to her transphobia.

Disclaimer: Smoking is injurious to health. It can cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, and other deadly illnesses.