Trans opponents of Supreme Court gender ruling accused of 'wishful thinking' and being 'fuelled by misunderstanding' in fight against decision
Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Akua Reindorf argued the ruling gives a complex topic a 'model of clarity'.
Last week the Supreme Court ruled that within the 2010 Equality Act, the term 'women' relates to biological women.
Despite judges warning that its judgment should not be taken as a 'triumph' for either side, gender critics including JK Rowling were quick to celebrate the ruling.
Writing in the Times this week, Ms Reindorf described the judgment as 'a decisive moment in the long and bitter political conflict between gender-critical women's rights campaigners and advocates for trans rights'.
Responding to criticism of the judgment, she added: 'Lively critical discussion is vital to civic life and democratic participation.
'Unfortunately, on this occasion much of it has been fuelled by misunderstanding, wishful thinking and distortion.'
Last week the EHRC said the ruling would have far-reaching implications for the trans community, and could mean they are excluded from spaces which are reserved for their self-identified gender.
It comes after thousands of activists took to the streets in London and Edinburgh over the weekend in protest of the ruling.
Many waved posters and banners supporting trans rights.
While the protests were peaceful, after activists left it emerged that seven statues had been defaced in Parliament Square with graffiti.
The statues of Jan Christian Smuts, Nelson Mandela, Sir Robert Peel, Benjamin Disraeli, Millicent Fawcett, Earl of Derby and Viscount Palmerston were all affected.
'F** rights' and a heart were chalked onto the banner held by suffragist Millicent Fawcett, and 'trans rights are human rights' were spray-painted on the pedestal bearing a memorial to South African military leader Jan Christian Smuts.
Chief Superintendent, Stuart Bell, who led the policing operation for the protest, said: 'Criminal damage and vandalism like this has no place on the streets of London and spoils the area for locals and those visiting.
'While the police support the public's right to protest, criminality like this is senseless and unacceptable. We are pursuing this and will take action against those responsible.
'Working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) plans are underway to remove the graffiti but this requires specialist equipment and we are confident this will be done shortly.
'We are keen to speak to those who saw anything on the day and urge anyone with information, pictures or footage to come forward. Please call 101, quoting 01/7396927/25.'
The Metropolitan Police are hunting for the trans-rights activists who have defaced a number of statues in Westminister
Seven statues, including the Millicent Fawcett statue, were defaced with graffiti during a protest against the Supreme Court ruling on Saturday (Graffiti says 'F** rights')
Meanwhile members of the trans community and allies have vowed to continue using bathrooms that align with their gender rather than biological sex.
The finding that the definition of a woman in equality law is based on biological sex means trans women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex spaces if deemed 'proportionate'.
A group of trans activists have proudly posted a video from inside some female toilets.
In the video, transgender females are stood in cubicles inside the bathrooms, one by one saying 'where I do my business is none of your business'.
After the ruling, Married at First Sight star Ella Morgan declared, 'I still see myself as a woman, whether I am on paper or not'.
'I hate to say this, but for the first time since I have had that title and role I actually do feel nervous and scared not only for myself but for the community because it's the unknown,' she told Good Morning Britain.
Trans influencers railed against the judgment on social media by posting videos of their horrified reactions, with one - Bel Priestly - telling her 1.4million followers that Britain was 'going backwards'.
Ant Lexa, who plays Abbi Montgomery in Netflix series Sex Education, described feeling 'heartbroken'.
The Sex Education star is one of the most prominent public figures to have spoken out against the judgment.
'Getting myself out of bed this morning was hard after receiving this news,' she told Channel 4 News.
'I am, first and foremost, a woman. That doesn't feel like some political stance. It just feels like who I am. And it has always felt like who I am.
'So not being recognised within law, especially a law that is designed to protect us, and that was why it was there, just feels terrifying.
'Not even about today, but the precedent that it's setting for not just the UK, but across the world. It just has left me feeling unprotected.'
And Bridgerton and Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan, who is a member of the LGBT+ community, hit out at JK Rowling after she celebrated the ruling with champagne and cigars on her $150 million superyacht.
The actor shared an article headlined: 'This is a new low for JK Rowling' before taking a dig at HBO's new Harry Potter series, writing: 'Keep your new Harry Potter lads. Wouldn't touch it with a 10ft pole'.
Last week, 38-year-old Coughlan also shared a video voicing her disgust at what she called a 'stomach-churning' Supreme Court ruling.
'To see an already marginalised community being further attacked and attacked in law is really stomach churning and disgusting, and to see people celebrate it is more stomach-churning and disgusting,' she said.
'Make your voice heard and let your trans and non-binary friends and the community at large know that you are there for them and will keep fighting for them.'
The video was shared to announce the launch of a new fundraiser - which has already raised more than £100,000 - spearheaded by the actor in support of trans charity Not A Phase.
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