Latest news with #JKRWF
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
J.K. Rowling sets up private fund to offer legal support for 'women's sex-based rights': What we know
J.K. Rowling, author of the world-famous Harry Potter novels, has opened a new fund in her name to protect individuals or organizations facing legal action for their sex-based rights. The author has previously spoken out against trans activists and has sponsored such legal and social protests in the past. The official website of the J.K. Rowling Women's Fund (JKRWF) says that it 'offers legal funding support to individuals and organizations fighting to retain women's sex-based rights in the workplace, in public life, and protected female spaces. It provides women with the means and confidence to bring to justice cases that make legal precedents, force policy change, and make positive contributions to women's lives in the future.' The fund has also established eligibility criteria to determine who can apply for aid from the organization. Legal representation is open to those who 'have lost their livelihoods or are facing tribunals because of their expressed beliefs; are being forced to comply with unreasonable inclusion policies regarding single-sex spaces and services, or female-only clubs and events; are challenging legislation which takes away the freedoms or protections women are entitled to or don't have adequate means to bring actions to court or to defend themselves'. The organization also states that it can only help those who have already sought legal representation for their case. The fund is completely sponsored by Rowling's grants and does not accept any public donations. Rowling said in a social media post, 'I looked into all options and a private fund is the most efficient, streamlined way for me to do this. Lots of people are offering to contribute, which I truly appreciate, but there are many other women's rights organizations that could do with the money, so donate away, just not to me!' The logo of JKRWF, Rowling says, is inspired by Athena or Pallas, the goddess of wisdom and war. She explained that Athena's symbol being incorporated into the logo 'signifies a shield and a woman, which seemed appropriate to the aims of the fund – giving women the means to protect themselves against oppression and unfairness.' Those applying to the fund must be based in the UK or Ireland, and should be able to explain how their lives have been impacted by their beliefs on 'biological sex being unchangeable' and provide reasons for requesting financial support. The website includes a form at the end and if a person has gone through all the requirements dictated, they may be considered eligible to receive funding. Previously, Rowling had funded a legal case that challenged the 2010 Equality Act's definition of a woman. A Supreme Court ruling earlier this year established sex determined at birth as the way to identify a woman, negating federal recognition of transgender women with Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs). The ruling banned trans women from competing in the sports category of their identified sex and preceded a judgement by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which prevented trans people from using lavatory facilities of their choice. Rowling is considered one of the wealthiest people living in Scotland at present.
The National
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
JK Rowling to fund gender-critical women's cases against employers
The Harry Potter author, who donated to For Women Scotland's gofundme to challenge the definition of gender under the Equality Act in the Supreme Court, has set up a fund to help gender critical women to pursue action against employers and public services. The J.K. Rowling Women's Fund (JKRWF) says it will provide funding to give women 'the means and confidence to bring to justice cases that make legal precedents, force policy change, and make positive contributions to women's lives in the future'. READ MORE: Fears 'rigged' Scottish Labour voting system boxes out left-wing MSPs It sets out a checklist for those applying, such as fighting a tribunal because of 'their expressed beliefs' or being 'forced to comply with unreasonable inclusion policies' in single sex spaces. The fund's website sets out that it won't hire a lawyer for those hoping to make a legal challenge, so those applying must 'already have sought legal representation, and have a clear desired outcome to your case'. On social media, Rowling said she would not be accepting public donations to the fund as a 'private fund is the most efficient, streamlined way for me to do this'. (Image: JKRWF) 'Lots of people are offering to contribute, which I truly appreciate, but there are many other women's rights organisations that could do with the money, so donate away, just not to me!' she added. Rowling has a net worth of around £945 million and was ranked the eighth wealthiest person in Scotland earlier this month. It is understood the fund has been operating since the end of 2024. Rowling celebrated the judgment in the FWS Supreme Court case from her private yacht, and was pictured smoking a cigar. She captioned the photograph: 'I love it when a plan comes together'. In April, the Supreme Court ruled that under the Equality Act 2010 a woman is defined by 'biological sex' and does not include a transgender woman with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). This decision went against how the law had been interpreted across public and private bodies in the UK for the past 20 years. Trans women were then banned from playing women's football and cricket. In the weeks following the judgment, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) released interim guidance that banned transgender people from using the bathroom of their acquired gender. This was described as 'cruel' and 'segregation'. We told how former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Supreme Court ruling had been 'massively misinterpreted'. It followed similar comments made by Lady Hale, the first female president of the Supreme Court, now retired. Rowling has been publicly critical of Sturgeon, once being pictured wearing a t-shirt that described the Glasgow MSP as a 'destroyer of women's rights'.
