Rowling row

Robbie Coltrane has defended JK Rowling and suggested people are too easily offended amid widespread criticism of her new book as ‘transphobic’.

Regardless of the message from dear JK, a positive outcome is the conversation and consciousness-raising of trans rights that is finally getting a much broader audience.

Peter Archibald

She could literally wrote about any type of murderer in the world. She chose a “man wearing a dress”.

Doña Menganita

I think she is doing it unconsciously and without realising how her idea of an interesting crime plot could be interpreted. Also, why does a white, privileged man feel entitled to explain to minorities what should or should not offend them?

Klaudia Hall

Is it a coincidence that her pseudonym – Robert Galbraith – is the name of the psychiatrist that invented gay conversion therapy?

Andrew Higgins She has given back awards to people who don’t agree with her and she unfollowed Stephen King on twitter after he tweeted “trans women are women”. People are quick to talk about the hate directed at her but she is one “cancelling” everyone around her who doesn’t want to believe in or follow her narrative.

Stacy Saunders

Seems everyone wants to belittle. I’m sick of the harsh words and no conversations.

JC Joy

Just because he spent a few weeks dressed as a nun in a film back in the 90s, he is still not the voice of reason on gender issues.

Earl Cheffield For goodness sake, we have freedom of speech in this country. If you don’t like the book, then don’t buy it. We are all entitled to our individual opinions. Most of us don’t ram our opinions down other folks’ throats online.

Diane Pearson

So, in a work of crime fiction, according to some sections of the human race, the murderer, or murderers and the victim, or victims can only be of the same gender? Will that also apply to all other genres of fiction?

Diana Mosspaul

Far too many sensitive souls in these times! Why does anyone bother to write anything, for fear of offending, honestly?

Linda Wilson

Criticism? Just more demented, ill-informed hysteria aimed at an incredibly brave woman who defends other women’s rights.

Elle Tom

Good on Robbie for speaking out against the policing and censoring of literature.

Scotty Malotty

I take it Silence of the Lambs is going be cancelled next then! Just silly. You could say the same about any killer in a story. If it’s a male killer the message is be afraid of men, if it is a woman killer the message is be afraid of woman, if it is a trans killer the message is be afraid of trans? No . . . most people aren’t daft enough to think like that. The original review was desperately trying to connect to Rowling’s recent unpopular opinions in any way possible to gain attention, and as usual it has worked.

Steven Drew