ABOVE: “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, photo via Rowling’s Facebook page.
Author J.K. Rowling has come under fire again for making comments online that have been perceived by many as spreading transphobia.
On June 6, the British novelist retweeted the link to an opinion piece by media platform Devex entitled “Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.” Rowling seemed to take issue with the phrasing of the article’s headline and tweeted her thoughts on what she viewed as the exclusion of cisgender women in using trans-inclusive language.
‘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
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
This is not the first time Rowling has been accused of making transphobic comments. In December of last year, the author sparked backlash for voicing her support of Maya Forstater, a researcher who was fired from The Center for Global Development in London after being accused of making transphobic remarks.
“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,” Rowling tweeted on Dec. 19.
Rowling’s recent comments garnered further backlash, with prominent LGBTQ+ organizations affirming the identities of trans people and criticizing the author for using harmful language.
Evergreen tweet https://t.co/3PfKFNa52s
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 6, 2020
JK Rowling continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people.
— GLAAD (@glaad) June 7, 2020
1. This “truth” is both hateful and dangerous.
2. This tweet is patently false.These words from @jk_rowling – who many youth around the world look up to for her literature – is harmful for #trangender individuals everywhere. #NCLR strongly condemns this language. https://t.co/hDFtC2n3Oa
— National Center for Lesbian Rights (@NCLRights) June 6, 2020
This controversy comes in the wake of a recent wave of trans violence. Iyanna Dior, a black transgender woman, was attacked by a group of people in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 1. Tony McDade, a black transgender man, was fatally shot by Tallahassee police on May 27.
Organizations such as the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition and Trans Justice Funding Project are currently supporting the fight for trans equality.
Rowling’s latest children book “The Ickabog” is currently being published in installments online and the full story can be expected to be published in its entirety in November.
