Big Brother stars calls UK Supreme Court's trans ruling ‘utter rubbish'
Bradley Riches, Ali Bromley, along with Dame Kelly Holmes and other LGBTQIA+ celebrities shares their thoughts on UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of "woman" at the Diva Awards
Celebrity Big Brother star Bradley Riches was among the famous queer guests and nominees present at last night's Diva Awards, an annual ceremony celebrating the achievements and contributions of LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people. Falling during Lesbian Visibility week, this year's Divas also came just a week after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of "woman" under the Equality Act 2010 is based on biological sex, excluding transgender women.
The ruling has stirred polarising views within the LGBTQIA+ community, and Bradley had some strong opinions about it. Speaking to The Mirror, he said: 'I think it's utter bull—, if I'm going to be honest, utter rubbish.
'I think that to see all the trans community has done to be where we are [now], to push back so many years is really heart wrenching for the trans community but also for all of us allies. But I think all we have to do now is just be there for our trans and non-binary friends and celebrate. I think the whole community will come out stronger, definitely.'
For Bradley, being at the Diva Awards, which mainly celebrates queer women, is important for the entire community, as he explained: 'I think it's a very important thing to show up for, all the letters of the community, not just those that resonate with me.'
Big Brother 2024 winner Ali Bromley echoed Bradley's feelings as she explained her reaction to the controversial ruling: 'I've been doing my bit to show how I feel, so I went to the protest on Saturday, and I've been working with other people in the community as well to see what we can do. It's really important that we use our voices and our platforms to express our discontent with the ruling, it's a difficult time.
'Events like these are important because it's our way of showing that whatever ruling happens, we're here, we're queer and we stand by each other.' Ali, who made waves last year as 'The Red Witch' in the house, went on to share her appreciation for JoJo Siwa, who just finished Celebrity Big Brother in third place.
'I have been watching [this year's Celebrity Big Brother]. I'm a big fan of JoJo, I would've liked to meet her actually, if there wasn't a clash tonight.'
The reality TV star further shared the challenges she has faced of being a lesbian in a mainstream show, admitting: 'Sometimes, I think there is some confusion about queer women, what we are, what we represent, sometimes invalidation of sexuality as well. I know that's something I've experienced, people don't believe that I'm gay because I look too feminine, or I'm not what they expect a lesbian to look like, so there's a few challenges, but we carry on.'
Dame Kelly Holmes, who was among the celebrities delivering awards at the ceremony, called the ruling 'complex'. She told The Mirror: 'I don't think it's been thought-through, but the whole point of everything, people need to be given solutions, because all we do is go 'no no', and no one's coming with any solutions.'
The celebrated Olympic athlete added: 'Sometimes, you can't argue with the relational, and yet, I think people need to know that people are here to stay, to live their lives. Some of the ruling, I just don't think have been effectively moved forward with everybody's voice, they've gone with one voice and nobody else's.
'For me, it's about a solution. You can't just say no and then think it's ok.' Lizzie Cundy, who expressed how honoured she felt to be a guest at the awards, said the ruling was particularly 'tough'.
"I've many friends that are trans, many friends that are lesbians, and it's a difficult one because I do believe women should have their own safe spaces, but also I do believe it's going to be very difficult for the trans community," she said.
The TV personality continued: 'The trans community needs to be treated with kindness and consideration and there should be more done to help, I really do feel that. I just interviewed the first transgender couple and they're just beside themselves because they feel really alone in all of this. My heart goes out to the trans community, most definitely.'
Singer Nxdia, who was nominated for the media moment of the year with their viral hit She Likes A Boy has been struggling with the Supreme Court's decision. They explained: 'I think trans women were the reason many of us can really be as visible as we are today.
'So I feel like it's quite prominent that it's lesbian visibility week this week, because trans women are kind of the reason why we can be this [visible] today.' Popular singer Shura, who is releasing a much anticipated third album next month, six years after her last, shared her thoughts on visibility, explaining: 'I'm realising that progress isn't guaranteed, that we can go back and visibility is really important.
'Not everyone feels comfortable being visible, but if you are, then you absolutely must be, and it's important that you.' She further shared her reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling, stating it was 'horrific'. She said: You know, I think trans women are women, I think what has happened is outrageous and also just isn't going to protect women.
'I get very cross about it.' The Diva Awards, founded by Linda Riley have played a vital role in championing queer visibility, and is the first of its kind in the country. For the LGBTQIA+, it's a groundbreaking event that shines a light on issues that are not often shared in mainstream spaces.
According to Roxy Bourdillon, Diva Magazine's editor-in-chief and author of the newly released What a Girls Wants, queer women often experience 'extra' marginalisation due to society's misogyny. She explained: 'We know as women that in some ways, the odds can be stacked against us anyway, just moving through society.
'And then if you add to that, that you're a queer woman or a non binary person, or bisexual or trans or however you identify, then it can mean that there's additional barriers to getting that visibility and representation that we so desperately need. But that's also why events like lesbian visibility week and the Diva Awards are so gorgeous and powerful, because it's really an opportunity to center and celebrate our community and champion our rights while also just having a great time.'
Roxy reacted to the Supreme Court's ruling, calling it 'frightening time for our community'. She said: 'I think it is so important now more than ever that we stand together. And I know from my work through Diva, from my work in my book, and from just being a lesbian cisgender woman moving through the world, I know that trans people are an important, beautiful, valued part of our community, and they've always been part of our community.
'They've been with us, standing at the front of protests for decades, and so I really think now it's important that we all stand up for them as well, and my heart is with our trans siblings at the moment.'
DIVA Awards 2025 Winners
Centrica Charity or Community Project of the Year:
Winner: Just Like Us
Highly Commended: TransActual
myGwork LGBTQIA Network of the Year:
Winner: Pride Matters, Colt Technology Services
Dorchester Collection Campaigner of the Year:
Kantar Inspirational Role Model of the Year:
Winner: Saba Ali
Highly Commended: Winnie King, Mace Group
Winner: Alexis Curtis-Harris, Penna
Paramount Influencer of the Year:
Winner: Lesbian Supper ClubHighly Commended: CurveyBlackWitch
Brand of the Year: Winner: London Women's Clinic
Highly Commended: L&G
BNP Paribas Corporate Ally of the Year: Winner: Anne Aslett, Elton John AIDS Foundation
Jackdaw Media Media Moment of the Year: Winner: I Kissed a Girl
Deliveroo Diversity Champion of the Year: Winner: Maria Patsalos, Mishcon De Reya
Highly Commended: Emma Palethorpe, St. James's Place
Highly Commended: Pippa Dale, LSEG
London Women's Clinic Future Leader of the Year: Winner: Bruna Gil, LinkedIn
Highly Commended: Deborah Mills-Burns, Momentum Personal Solutions
Allianz Commercial Writer of the Year: Winner: Val McDermid
Celebrity Ally of the Year:
Winner: Vicky Myers
Highly Commended: David Tennant
Highly Commended: Alex Scott MBE
Actor of the Year:
Sedulo Lifetime Achievement:
LGBTQIA Veterans
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