Harry Potter author JK Rowling receives backlash for controversial tweet
Harry Potter author JK Rowling is facing a backlash after she tweeted her support for researcher Maya Forstater, who lost her job after tweeting that a person cannot change their biological sex.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday (December 19), Rowling shared her support in a message that she accompanied with the hashtag '#IStandWith Maya'.
"Dress however you please," she wrote.
"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?"
Rowling's message of support came after Forstater lost a court challenge against her termination from the Centre for Global Development for using "offensive and exclusionary" language on Twitter, The Guardian reports.
In the judgement, Forstater's termination was ruled valid with Judge James Tayler saying that Forstater's views were "incompatible with human dignity and fundamental rights of others".
As a result, Rowling's support of Forstater has drawn widespread criticism, including from LGBTQ+ advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and GLAAD.
"Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary. CC: JK Rowling," HRC wrote.
Trans women are women.
Trans men are men.
Non-binary people are non-binary.
CC: JK Rowling.— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) December 19, 2019
"[JK Rowling] has aligned herself with an anti-science ideology that denies the basic humanity of people who are transgender. Trans and non-binary people are not a threat to women, and to imply otherwise puts trans people at risk," GLAAD added.
Anthony Ramos, head of talent at LGBTQ rights organisation GLAAD also shared a statement following Rowling's comments, saying (via Variety): "JK Rowling, whose books gave kids hope that they could work together to create a better world, has now aligned herself with an anti-science ideology that denies the basic humanity of people who are transgender.
"Trans men, trans women and non-binary people are not a threat, and to imply otherwise puts trans people at risk. Now is the time for allies who know and support trans people to speak up and support their fundamental right to be treated equally and fairly."
Wholeheartedly disagree. I stand with intersectional feminist humans,who recognize that trans women are real women,and against bigots like yourself. Bigotry masquerading as feminism is anything but. Your internalized distortions are helping me to continue dismantling mine.Thanks!
— Sara Ramirez (@SaraRamirez) December 19, 2019
*Unfollows JK Rowling* #translivesmatter #idontwanttostandanywherenearmaya
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) December 19, 2019
Please follow more trans people, please read about their experiences in this world and know you are contributing to their erasure, abuse and suffering by supporting those who deny their identity/existence. Please wield your immense power to protect those most at risk. @jk_rowling https://t.co/xXM0hNYvcO
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) December 19, 2019
As a gay man that found safety in Hogwarts throughout my childhood - knowing that Trans people wouldn’t be able to have that safety breaks my heart.
— Shahmir Sanni (@shahmiruk) December 19, 2019
JK Rowling's imagination is big enough to create a world where there's a secret magical school, invisible train platforms that help you get there, and creatures from dragons to screaming plants. Yet, she can't imagine why trans women ought to be recognized as their identity. Wow.
— Alex Berg (@itsalexberg) December 19, 2019
I am grateful for the magic @jk_rowling brought into my life, but making hurtful comments towards the trans community is not okay.
As said in your 4th book, “Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open”
Please do better— Steph Frosch (@ElloSteph) December 19, 2019
Maya Forstater did not lose her job because she campaigned against the GRA. She did not lose her job because she believed in biological sex.
She lost her job because of her refusal to recognise the legal rights of people who had transitioned. https://t.co/artfU2psMS pic.twitter.com/HkLw7IZYBH— Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) December 19, 2019
Following the ruling, Forstater tweeted to say: "Judgement received. Bad news (for now) Stonewall law won this round. Here is my statement in thread form. I struggle to express the shock and disbelief I feel at reading this judgement.
"I will consider the judgement closely with my legal team to determine what can be done to challenge it. I will make a further statement once that task is complete."
Last year, JK Rowling faced heavy criticism after she 'liked' a tweet containing a transphobic slur and later denied that she'd done it intentionally.
A representative for the author said at the time: "I'm afraid JK Rowling had a clumsy and middle-aged moment and this is not the first time she has favourited by holding her phone incorrectly."
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