‘Harry Potter’ author J.K. Rowling’s tweets blasted for being anti-transgender
“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling is in hot water again with social media users and transgender activists over controversial tweets.
On Saturday, the British writer commented on an oped about health care inequality that used the phrase “people who menstruate” to be more inclusive. “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” she tweeted.
Despite receiving immediate backlash, Rowling doubled down, stating that “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
“I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them,” she added. “I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.”
The LGBTQ rights organization GLAAD replied to the comments, saying Rowling “continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people.”
Less than six months ago, Rowling came under fire for showing support for Maya Forstater, a researcher who lost her job after stating that people cannot change their biological sex.
“J.K. Rowling, whose books gave kids hope that they could work together to create a better world, has now aligned herself with an anti-science ideology that denies the basic humanity of people who are transgender,” said Anthony Ramos, head of talent at GLAAD, at the time. “Trans men, trans women and non-binary people are not a threat and to imply otherwise puts trans people at risk. Now is the time for allies who know and support trans people to speak up and support their fundamental right to be treated equally and fairly.”
The author’s latest round of tweets faced swift backlash and inspired the hashtag #IStandWithJKRowling on Sunday morning, which was largely overrun with Rowling detractors and Kpop fans.