Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is usually thought to be a politically progressive person, one that’s previously criticized Donald Trump, and taken on a variety of LGBT perspectives. But now she’s been receiving backlash for a statement she made on Twitter in support of a woman who lost her job at an international think tank for having opposed a particular set of proposed U.K. laws. The laws would allow people to identify as the sex of their choice.
Here’s what J.K. Rowling had stated specifically:
“Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?” the author tweeted to her 14.6 million Twitter followers.
Dress however you please.
Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you.
Live your best life in peace and security.
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 19, 2019
Obviously her statement has garnered the attention of many transgender activists over on social media.
“My daughter, who is trans, is a big fan of yours. It breaks my heart to see you post something indicating that discrimination against her is perfectly fine behaviour for an employee. The world’s most credible medical orgs affirm trans people. Please catch up,” tweeted Amanda Jette Knox, one such activist.
https://twitter.com/MavenOfMayhem/status/1207651194287595521
Meanwhile the Human Rights Campaign, one of the largest LGBT activist groups, also made a response to Rowling’s tweet.
“Trans women are women.
Trans men are men.
Non-binary people are non-binary.
CC: JK Rowling.”
Trans women are women.
Trans men are men.
Non-binary people are non-binary.CC: JK Rowling.
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 19, 2019
Even many Harry Potter fans were heartbroken to see J.K. Rowling make those comments.
“I grew up as a trans child reading your books as an escape. I would often pick out names from characters to give to myself, before I ever felt comfortable in who I was. This decision, to support people that hate me, and want to do me harm. It brings me to tears… Why. Why?”
I grew up as a trans child reading your books as an escape. I would often pick out names from characters to give to myself, before I ever felt comfortable in who I was. This decision, to support people that hate me, and want to do me harm. It brings me to tears… Why. Why?
— Lily is entering unprecedented levels of lethargy (@notafootstool) December 19, 2019
The responses to J.K. Rowling’s statement continue to grow as many disagree with her comments against the transgender community.
How do you feel about the backlash J.K. Rowling is receiving? Do you think she deserves it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below!