It is beyond disturbing and harmful: Harry Potter author JK Rowling faces criticism from netizens for her 'anti-transgender views'

By Tanmayi Savadi

on June 08, 2020

JK Rowling, the author of Harry Potter drew the ire on Twitter after her tweets on menstruation on Sunday. She was slammed for sharing and commenting on an article that was titled 'People who menstruate.’ Soon, people lashed out at her for her transphobic thoughts and believed that the tweets are anti-transgender. Rowling, with the tweet, indicated that the headline should have referred to women. But people were quick to correct her that not only females, but many trans also menstruate. In no time, the matter escalated into a heated debate revolving around sex and gender. Lashing out at Rowling, social media users called her 'transphobe'.

Instead of settling down, the heated debate snowballed after the Harry Potter author tweeted, "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." However, as the backlash continued, Rowling, on Twitter, wrote, "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."

‘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

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.

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

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

With the series of tweets from Rowling, fans of Harry Potter were left sheerly disappointed. So much so, that many of them urged to boycott her.

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

— Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson (@MaraWilson) June 6, 2020

Dear JK Rowling,

U just defined "Sex" as the experience one has by their reality. Therefore, how do U not understand #Trans people are saying that's EXACTLY How they also Define their "Sex" / "gender- identity". It's not for you or anyone else to define someone else's experience https://t.co/TVW5EP7Pk8

— DanielNewmaη 404-737-1636 (@DanielNewman) June 7, 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

As a physician, I want people to know that sex exists on a bimodal biological spectrum just like gender exists on a bimodal sociological spectrum. While most identify as either female or male, there are intersex and trans individuals whose identities are just as valid and real.

— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) June 6, 2020

Also, it’s a scientific fact that intersex patients with a 46 XY karyotype, who are by definition genetically male, have gotten pregnant and even given birth. Unfortunately, doctors have erased the existence of many intersex patients through genital mutilation surgeries at birth.

— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) June 6, 2020

We’re not saying sex isn’t real. We’re saying it’s different from gender. My assigned sex at birth was male. But I identify as a woman. Sex is in the fun bits. Gender is in the brain.

— Nicole Maines (@NicoleAMaines) June 6, 2020

You're a great writer. This is a good time for you to become a great reader.

— Patrick Thornton (@pwthornton) June 6, 2020

JK Rowling is showing herself for who she’s been the whole time - a feminism-appropriating radical transphobe. The fact she picked Pride to expel her hateful sludge once again only underscores her hatred.

Don’t give her another cent. https://t.co/0QlvhEGBmR

— Riley Black (@Laelaps) June 6, 2020

Literally NO ONE said the concept of sex or womxn is erased.

The only thing erased here is YOU erasing the legitimacy of trans folks.

Please reconsider where you stand here, for trans folks and for so many who used to idolize you.

— Maddy Eisenberg (@maddyeisenberg) June 6, 2020

Christ, you are such a colossal disappointment.

— Liam Dryden (@LiamDrydenEtc) June 6, 2020

I decided not to kill myself because I wanted to know how Harry's story ended. For a long time, that was all that kept me alive. Until I met my husband who helped me learn to love myself and to want to live. You just insulted him to my face. I hate you.

— Kate Beetle ‍ (@scary_library) June 6, 2020

This is beyond terrible. The Harry Potter Series has meant so much to me growing up and even now. I don’t understand how the person that created that magical world can think this way? #disappointed https://t.co/dibzycUrTx

— Elle (@32nellemai) June 7, 2020

Soon, the LGBTQ rights organisation GLAAD reacted to the best selling author’s comments. They said that she has aligned herself with an ideology that “willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people.” "If you want to direct your rightful anger over JK Rowling's latest anti-trans comments into something positive, support orgs that help Black trans people like @MPJInstitute, @blacktransusa, @TransJusticeFP, @Genderintell and @ukblackpride. 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 tweeted.

If you want to direct your rightful anger over JK Rowling's latest anti-trans comments into something positive, support orgs that help Black trans people like @MPJInstitute, @blacktransusa, @TransJusticeFP, @Genderintell and @ukblackpride

— GLAAD (@glaad) June 7, 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

(Source: Twitter)