Rowling hand prints daubed with red paint after trans row
AN imprint of JK Rowling’s hands has been vandalised with red paint after she was accused of being transphobic.
The children’s author has repeatedly been embroiled in bitter online rows with the transgender community after voicing what have been referred to as “transphobic” views.
The Harry Potter writer, 54, had tweeted comments that likened hormones taken by many trans people to “a new kind of conversion therapy”.
She recently wrote: “Many, myself included, believe we are watching a new kind of conversion therapy for young gay people, who are being set on a lifelong path of medicalisation that may result in the loss of their fertility and/or full sexual function.”
Last week, the author was among 150 signatories of an open letter calling for an end to “cancel culture” and warning that the “vogue for public shaming is threatening liberal society”.
However, over the weekend, pictures emerged on social media of her hand prints outside Edinburgh City Chambers smeared in red paint, with the transgender pride flag planted next to them. The prints were made when Rowling, who lives in the city, was given the Edinburgh Award in 2008.
Dr Jane Hamlin, president of the Beaumont Society, a charity which supports trans people, said: “I have found JK Rowling’s comments about trans people ill-informed and hurtful but I think actions like this, whether or not they are the deeds of trans people or their allies, will damage the campaign to win equal rights for trans and non-binary people.”