The UK Supreme Court has upheld the definition of “woman” at the Diva Awards, according to Bradley Riches, Ali Bromley, Dame Kelly Holmes, and other LGBTQIA+ celebrities.
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 it’s heart wrenching for the trans community but also for all of us allies to see how much the trans community has contributed to our current situation.” However, I believe all we need to do right now is celebrate and be there for our transgender and non-binary friends. I think the whole community will come out stronger, definitely. “
Being at the Diva Awards, which focuses primarily on queer women, is significant to the entire community, Bradley said, “I think it’s very important 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’ve been watching] Celebrity Big Brother this year,” said one participant. If there hadn’t been a fight tonight, I would have liked to meet JoJo because I really like her.
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. There are some challenges, but we keep going because I’ve experienced that, and people don’t think I’m gay because I look too feminine or I don’t think people think I’m gay.
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 renowned Olympic athlete continued, “Sometimes, you can’t argue with the relational, but I think people need to know that people are here 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 trans community needs to be treated with kindness and consideration, according to the TV personality, and there should be more efforts to assist. The first transgender couple I spoke with is beside themselves because they feel so alone in everything. My heart goes out to the trans community, most definitely. “
Singer Nxdia has been having issues with the Supreme Court’s decision, despite receiving the award for media moment of the year for their viral hit She Likes A Boy. They explained:” I think trans women were the reason many of us can really be as visible as we are today.
“I think it’s quite well known that this week is lesbian visibility week because trans women are kind of the reason why we can be this]visible today,” she said. Six years after her last album, popular singer Shura, who is releasing a highly anticipated third album next month, expressed her thoughts on visibility.
” Not everyone feels comfortable being visible, but if you are, then you absolutely must be, and it’s important that you. She further stated that the Supreme Court’s decision was “horrific” and that she would not accept it. She stated that she believes trans women are women and that what has happened is outrageous and that women are not going to be protected.
“I’m very confused about it. The Diva Awards, which Linda Riley founded, are the first of their kind in the nation, have a significant impact on promoting queer visibility. For the LGBTQIA+, it’s a groundbreaking event that shines a light on issues that are not often shared in mainstream spaces.
Queer women frequently experience “extra” marginalization as a result of society’s misogyny, according to Roxy Bourdillon, Diva Magazine’s editor-in-chief and author of the recently released What a Girls Wants. She stated, “We as women are aware that the odds are always going to be stacked against us if we’re 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. Events like lesbian visibility week and the Diva Awards are also so stunning and powerful because they provide a unique opportunity to promote and support our rights while also 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. “
Winners of the 2025 DIVA Awards
Community Project of the Year or Centrica Charity:
Winner: Just Like Us
Highly recommended: TransActual
MyGeek’s LGBTQIA Network of the Year:
Winner: Pride Matters, Colt Technology Services
EDF (UK) and the LGBTQ+ Supporters Network are highly recommended.
Campaigner of the Year for the Dorchester Collection:
Winner: Whitney And Megan Bacon-EvansHighly Commended: Esther Ghey
The Year’s Inspirational Role Model: Kantar
Winner: Saba Ali
Highly Commended: Winnie King, Mace Group
The Year’s Head of Diversity:
Winner: Penna Curtis-Harris and Alexis Curtis-Harris.
Highly Commended: Rachel Collins, Colt Technology Services
The Year’s Paramount Influencer:
Winner: Lesbian Supper ClubHighly Commended: CurveyBlackWitch
Brand of the Year: Winner: London Women’s Clinic
Highly recommended: L&, G.
Winner of the BNP Paribas Corporate Ally of the Year: Elton John AIDS Foundation, Anne Aslett
Highly Commended: Antonia Croke, Hogan Lovells
Winner of the Jackdaw Media Media Media Media Moment of the Year: “I Kissed a Girl.”
Highly Commended: Coronation Street
Deliveroo Diversity Champion of the Year: Winner: Maria Patsalos, Mishcon De Reya
Highly recommended: St. James’s Place, Emma Palethorpe
Highly recommended: LSEG, Pippa Dale
London Women’s Clinic Future Leader of the Year: Winner: Bruna Gil, LinkedIn
Highly recommended: Momentum Personal Solutions, Deborah Mills-Burns
Winner of Allianz Commercial Writer of the Year: Val McDermid
Highly Commended: Clare Lydon
Celebrity Ally of the Year:
Vicky Myers is the winner.
Highly Commended: David Tennant
LSEGQueer Comedian of the Year:Winner: Rosie JonesHighly Commended: Suzi Ruffell
Sports Personality of the Year:Winner: Adele Roberts
Highly Commended: Alex Scott MBE
Actor of the Year:
Winner: Pearl Mackie
Highly Commended: Abigail Thorn
Lifetime Achievement for Sedulo:
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply