JK Rowling has sparked furious outrage online once again after posting a series of ‘anti-trans’ tweets.
The Harry Potter author’s fresh controversy began when she commented on story with a headline that read: ‘Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.’
Taking issue with the phrasing, JK wrote: ‘”People who menstruate”. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’
Her remark was immediately hit by a backlash, with many branding the writer transphobic and explaining that it’s not just cis-gender women who mensturate.
This prompted JK to post again.
‘If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased,’ she penned.
‘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.
‘The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women – ie, to male violence – “hate” trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences – is a nonsense.
‘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.’
JK’s comments infuriated many people across the globe and they were quick to call her out.
Actress Mara Wilson reacted: ‘Really sick of one of the richest and most influential white women in the world being lauded as some great crusader and truthteller for hating on one of the most marginalized groups of people.’
Comedian Mae Martin wrote: ‘I can’t believe that in this moment @jk_rowling has decided the most useful thing to tweet to her 14.5 million followers is wilfully pedantic, gender-critical TERF nonsense.
‘The world is full of threats worth fighting against. Trans people are not a threat. #TransWomenareWomen.’
This isn’t the first time JK has come under fire for her stance on transgender people.
Last year, the writer was accused of being a TERF after she posted a tweet in support of Maya Forstater – a researcher who was fired for tweeting ‘men cannot change into women.’
On 19 December, JK tweeted: ‘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.
TERF stands for trans exclusionary radical feminist. It first emerged as a term in 2008, and is used to describe feminists who share views which some consider transphobic.
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