LGBTIQ+ Groups Respond to Helen Zille’s Anti-Trans Court Ruling Stance

Prominent LGBTIQ+ groups in South Africa have condemned Helen Zille, Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance’s Federal Council, after she publicly praised the UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling that excludes transgender women from the definition of “woman” under that country’s Equality Act.

Zille expressed her support on X for Harry Potter author JK Rowling’s celebration of For Women Scotland, the anti-trans group which won the case, while also asserting that the fight for trans equality is a social sickness.

Zille wrote: “They have protected the rights of women across the English-speaking world from a contagion as dangerous, socially, as Covid was, medically. We thank you from the Southern tip of Africa.”

She went on to share further posts from Rowling and others lauding the judgment, which has sparked global concern over its potential to justify trans exclusion and discrimination.

In 2023, Zille claimed that “woke” trans identities “trash and stereotype all women, eradicating the progress they have made to achieve equality over half a century.”

Backlash from LGBTIQ+ Activists and Organisations

Zille’s latest comments have sparked an outpouring of anger from South African LGBTIQ+ organisations and activists, who see her rhetoric as deeply out of step with South Africa’s constitutional values.

Access Chapter 2, a national human rights organisation, slammed Zille’s words as a “direct contradiction to the Constitution” and accused the DA of complicity through its silence.

“This is not only provocative and irresponsible, but also profoundly dangerous,” the group said in a statement. “The Democratic Alliance’s silence in response to Zille’s harmful rhetoric is shameful. It is a silence that speaks volumes and casts serious doubt on the party’s often-proclaimed support for LGBTQIA+ people.”

The group urged queer people to “prioritise their human rights above partisan loyalty”, adding that “Our lives, safety, and dignity are not up for debate. They are constitutional guarantees that must be protected and fought for without compromise.”

‘Rooted in Hate-Based Politics’

Liberty Matthyse, Executive Director of Gender DynamiX, expressed deep dismay at Zille’s stance, describing it as part of a broader political project to build a conservative, gender-essentialist base.

“A reminder to Helen Zille that South Africa is not the United Kingdom, and that we have fought long and hard to break the colonial shackles,” Matthyse wrote in a Facebook post. “This is an ongoing struggle, and she and her party will not take us back to those oppressive times by reinforcing colonial understandings of gender, sex and identity.”

Matthyse stated: “Helen Zille rides the ticket of ‘service delivery’ and ‘good governance’. Good governance includes governing for ALL people, and upholding people’s constitutional rights to dignity, equality and freedom, no matter who they are.” They added: “The essence of Helen’s work seems to be rooted in hate-based politics after all.”

Matthyse also decried the targeting of trans women by trans-exclusionary feminists, saying: “There are so many other battles to fight to emancipate women and girls, yet they have chosen to punch down at one of the most socially excluded, marginalised and oppressed groups of people in society. Sies!”

‘This Is Not Leadership – This Is Hate’

The LGBTQIA+ Alliance of the Patriotic Alliance issued one of the strongest responses, condemning Zille’s comments as “dehumanising” and an insult to the struggles of trans and queer South Africans, particularly in marginalised communities.

“This is not leadership; this is hate wrapped in elitist arrogance,” said spokesperson Chaz Warries. “While Helen Zille sits comfortably behind her Twitter account spewing poison, our people are burying their loved ones, battling unemployment, facing abuse in their own homes, and being denied access to basic healthcare and safety.”

Warries continued: “Let us be clear: this is not a debate. Our existence is not up for negotiation.”

Embrace Diversity Movement: ‘Unrepentant Transphobia’

The Embrace Diversity Movement echoed these sentiments, calling Zille’s comments “hurtful and damaging” and criticising the DA for failing to distance itself from her rhetoric.

“This rhetoric is not only hurtful but also damaging, as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and contributes to a culture of discrimination and marginalization.”

Secretary-General Mpho Buntse said: “This bigotry is no surprise and demonstrates that Zille is an unrepentant transphobe. Her obsession with erasing the realities of many trans people is concerning and shall be called out.”

The group called on the DA to take a clear stand for equality and human rights and to stop using LGBTIQ+ people as political pawns.