Munroe Bergdorf has responded defiantly after JK Rowling criticised Glamour magazine for celebrating nine transgender women as part of its 2025 Women of the Year Awards.
The author of Harry Potter had claimed the decision “sends the wrong message to girls” after Glamour UK featured models Munroe Bergdorf, Ceval Omar, Taira and Munya, actor Bel Priestley, Not A Phase’s Maxine Heron and Dani St James, DJ Mya Mehmi and writer Shon Faye on the cover.
But the magazine said the decision to feature trans women comes as “trans rights face increasing threat in the UK” adding that it wanted to honour “nine of the community’s most ground-breaking voices at this year’s Women of the Year Awards.
“From fashion and music to charity and activism work, these trailblazers work tirelessly to empower, uplift and celebrate trans voices.”
Following the release of the cover, Rowling took to social media to share her outrage.
Posting on X, she wrote: “I grew up in an era when mainstream women’s magazines told girls they needed to be thinner and prettier.
“Now mainstream women’s magazines tell girls that men are better women than they are.”
In light of the author’s post, Bergdorf — joined by her fellow honourees — delivered a pointed speech calling for unity and protection across all communities.
“We found ourselves in a deeply disturbing and uncertain point in history,” she said on stage at 180 House in London. “It can no longer be said that we're descending into fascism — fascism is here, and it’s up to all of us to keep each other safe., to, yes, ‘Protect the Dolls’, but also to protect each other.
“Whilst all of us standing on the stage are sisters, we're also your sisters, your allies, your friends and your comrades. We keep each other safe. Protection will always be a two way street.”
She warned that the “demonisation of transgender people” threatens not only trans rights but wider human rights.
“The demonisation of transgender people says not only segregate trans women from cis women, but the trans community from public life,” she added.
I grew up in an era when mainstream women’s magazines told girls they needed to be thinner and prettier.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 30, 2025
Now mainstream women’s magazines tell girls that men are better women than they are. pic.twitter.com/ybEFr8XdSv
“It also serves to segregate society from humanity and eventually human rights from us all, safety, dignity, shelter, primacy, health care, protest, freedom from discrimination and freedom of expression of rights that should be protected for a us all.”
Bergdorf added that the UK government was “failing the trans community,” urging society to resist complacency.
“However, trans people are being failed by our government at almost every turn. Transphobia is and will always be the thin side of the wedge,” she shared.
“The violence we condone for any of us is the violence we condemn us all too. Discrimination and exclusion can never be acceptable for anyone, regardless of your gender, identity, race, faith, class, ability, nationality or sexuality, whenever you see it, regardless of who it is be that protector, be that person.
“We keep each other safe, we protect each other.”
Campaigner Dani St James echoed Bergdorf’s message, praising Glamour for moving beyond symbolic gestures.
“As anti-trans sentiment grows around the world, especially here in the UK, it’s heartening and encouraging to see passive allyship evolve into active advocacy, a lending of one’s status, power or voice to support us when we need you the most,” she said.
“That spirit is reflected here tonight and in the ‘Protect the Dolls’ campaign that broke through the noise of this year.”
The star called on the support to be turned into action: “We are so grateful for your protection, but please let that enthusiasm turn into action. Pay the Dolls, employ the Dolls, take the Dolls off that mood board and put us in front of and behind the camera. Love the Dolls out loud and speak up for the Dolls in the face of adversity, whether we're in the room with you or not.
She concluded: “I hope that this award and this cover can stand as a celebration for our entire community and a beacon for those not yet living authentically.”
The event also saw Rachel Zegler, England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, the Sugababes, Tyla and model Adwoa Aboah honoured.
