Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling enters trans debate

The transgender lobby now has JK Rowling in its sights after her comments over the weekend, in which she claimed ‘it isn’t hate to speak the truth’.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Picture: AP

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is facing hefty backlash after she posted a series of tweets about transgender people. Rowling drew outrage Saturday on Twitter when she criticised an opinion piece from Devex that used the phrase “people who menstruate”. “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people,” the famous British author tweeted. “Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?

Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

She continued with another thread speaking about the concept of biological sex. “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction,” she tweeted. “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.”

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.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

Rowling’s tweets caused a firestorm of responses from the LGBTQ community and others who were upset with her words. A Harry Potter fan group tweeted its disapproval of Rowling’s post and encouraged followers to donate to a group that supports black transgender women.

We aren’t going to retweet the tweets because we generally focus on putting out messages that are uplifting, kind, actionable, & factual. The author’s tweets tonight are none of those. Instead, here’s where you can donate to help Black trans women in ATL: https://t.co/G3luSJHpWc

— The Harry Potter Alliance (@TheHPAlliance) June 7, 2020

Rowling said she respects “every trans person’s rights to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.” She went on to say she would march “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.”

I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. 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.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

GLAAD issued a response on Twitter, calling Rowling’s tweets “inaccurate and cruel.” The advocacy organisation dedicated to LGBTQ equality then asked those upset by the author’s comments to support organisations that help black transgender people.

We stand with trans youth, especially those Harry Potter fans hurt by her inaccurate and cruel tweets. Our friend @jackisnotabird says it best. https://t.co/jLkchof3rn

— GLAAD (@glaad) June 7, 2020

“JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which wilfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans,” GLAAD tweeted. “In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people.” Rowling’s representative has not responded to an email request for comment.

AP