Nicola Coughlan Supporting Trans Rights With New Fundraiser

Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan is supporting trans rights through a new fundraiser for the organization Not a Phase.

This Thursday, Coughlan posted a video to Instagram expressing her support for the transgender community.

She stated, “Like many people, I am completely horrified by the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday about trans people, and to see an already marginalized community being further attacked and attacked by law is really stomach-turning and disgusting. [Seeing] people celebrating it is more stomach-turning and disgusting, so I want to start a fundraiser for Not a Phase. [It is] an incredible trans charity in the UK, and I will match any donation up to 10,000 pounds…I would urge you to donate and share.”

This video comes after the UK Supreme Court ruling that it would change its definition of “woman” to be based on binary biological sex. The Supreme Court’s five judges voted unanimously against the Scottish government’s inclusion of trans women in the Equality Act 2010’s protections for women against gender-based discrimination.

The actress, well-known for her starring roles in Bridgerton and Derry Girls, is a long-time activist for LGBT+ rights. She has protested in favor of marriage equality in Northern Ireland and has consistently used her voice for LGBT+ charities. This past summer, she released her song “Shoes…More Shoes” with Ellis Miah, which raised money for Not a Phase and the Trevor Project.

After Coughlan shared her video, her fundraiser reached its original target goal in an hour. The charity, Not a Phase, states it is committed to “improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ [led] initiatives.”

“If you are a cisgender person who is an ally of a trans person, I think now’s the time to speak up and make your voice heard. Let your trans, non-binary friends, and just let the community at large know that you’re there for them and will keep fighting for them,” the Bridgerton star expressed.

Coughlan also shared her Bridgerton co-star Charitha Chandran’s video, where she stated, “For all those people who say they care about women’s sports and women’s safety, where are you petitioning for more funding for women’s sports? Where are you petitioning for better legislation to persecute sexual assault against women, the overwhelming majority of which is committed by cis men? You don’t care about women. You just want to target those that are already oppressed.”

@charithra17

Loser behaviour to target an already vulnerable and oppressed group tbh

♬ original sound – Charithra Chandran

So far, Coughlan’s fundraiser has gained over 75,000 dollars for Not a Phase. If you’d like to donate, you can do so here.