J.K. Rowling has sparked a huge online backlash after posting controversial tweets about menstruation and biological sex, which have been criticised for invalidating trans people.
On Saturday night, the Harry Potter author tweeted an online article, entitled ‘Opinion: Creating a more equal post Covid-19 world for people who menstruate’.
Sharing it with her 14.5 million
Twitter followers, she wrote: ”‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Rowling then followed this up by tweeting: “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.”‘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, 2020If 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, 2020Rowling was accused of erasing trans people, as thousands of people responded to her tweets. Trans women are women. Trans Black people & trans non-Black people are discriminated against every single day. They’re dying. We’re fighting for Black people & trans people and you’re doing this? https://t.co/2l5PHDCpKD— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) June 7, 2020You have power and influence. Why would you do this? What does it achieve? Do you feel like more of a woman when you punch down? Are you threatened? Some trans men menstruate. Why does that affect you? Why do you want to
police that?— Mary Lambert (@marylambertsing) June 6, 2020I don’t know what I can say that’ll explain this. Trans women, trans men, trans people, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry that there is so much ignorance. I’m so sorry that cis people keep doing shit like this. You will be free from this bigotry soon, inshAllah. https://t.co/kX0xNqemr1— Shahmir Sanni 🏳️🌈 (@shahmiruk) June 7, 2020Imagine having a following you could use to spread awareness for important things happening in the world rn but you decide to shit on trans people. Get a life lady. https://t.co/psddMqoUfA— Eddie Possehl (@edpossehl) June 7, 2020Trans women are women. That this bears constant repeating is sad but necessary. Especially at a time when the world’s most famous author decides to throw them under a bus.— Nikesh Shukla (@nikeshshukla) June 7, 2020Imagine having a platform like that, in a moment like this, and using it like that. What a waste. What a disappointment. #TransWomenareWomen— Catriona Wightman (@catrionaw890) June 7, 2020Imagine writing a generation defining series about a youth uprisal that defeats a tyrannical monster motivated by the preservation of “pure blood” and looking at THIS time in the world and going “hmm...yep. I’m gonna invalidate trans people.”— h (@halsey) June 7, 2020Literally 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, 2020You’re a smart person. How do you not yet understand the difference between sex and gender? The only way I can possibly explain your ignorance at this point is willfulness. It’s incredibly disappointing.— Brad Walsh (@BradWalsh) June 6, 2020JK Rowling choosing to tweet about trans women not being real women RIGHT NOW during BLM uproar really shows her depth of thought about trans people AND black people... I am gettin flu-like symptoms trying to imagine her thoughts (or lack-there-of) on... the intersection 🧙🏼♀️— Patti Harrison (@Party_Harderson) June 7, 2020Rowling then added to her Twitter thread, saying: “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.”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, 2020I 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, 2020However, many people quickly pointed out that trans people face frequent discrimination and violence, especially Black trans women, who people are currently fighting for as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.Hi everyone, just a quick note to say that if you'd like to donate to organisations that support black trans women – who are having an especially tough time at the moment, and facing hostility from every direction – @VICE has compiled a list. https://t.co/X5BeOPpYH9—
Paris Lees (@parislees) June 7, 2020It's not hate if u say that YOU'RE a woman. It's HARMFUL 2 say TRANSWOMEN are men. thus not a hypothetical "If", but WHEN WE ARE DISCRIMINATED against IS CLEAR if u connect reports of VIOLENCE & removal of transfolk from: _____. In Disregarding that point u appear 2 CHOOSE HATE.— Peppermint (@Peppermint247) June 7, 2020Hey JK as you claim to support trans rights and this is a historical moment where we are globally discussing the impact of white supremacy on Black People, please share some of your $650million mega wealth with this charity. https://t.co/3WoGduRuSE— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) June 7, 2020BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) June 6, 2020"IF you were discriminated against"IF? Seriously, IF?— Tuuli Laukkanen🌍 (@LaukkanenTuuli) June 7, 2020Then you need to do more research.— Chris Rogers🌈 Spread Kindness and LOVE 💗 (@HseThistleRose) June 7, 2020Here is a crowdfunder for black trans women who ARE being discriminated against for being trans if you wanted to do something useful other than....whatever this mess is https://t.co/UBv4TX7TZ5— Mollie Goodfellow (@hansmollman) June 6, 2020Trans people are discriminated against on the basis of being trans literally ALL THE TIME. Also, killed for it. https://t.co/4asWPyZgM2— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) June 6, 2020Rowling keeps saying “IF” trans people are discriminated against... like they’re not one of the most targeted groups already??? https://t.co/pEKREMSn3W— Diyora Shadijanova (@thediyora) June 6, 2020PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY MURDERED JUST FOR BEING TRANS SHUT THE FUCK UP https://t.co/7DrcSyQHyM— jodie ▯ (@jodieegrace) June 6, 2020"IF YOU WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ON THE BASIS OF BEING TRANS" DOES SHE NOT KNOW TRANS PEOPLE ARE KILLED BECAUSE???OF???BEING???TRANS????? https://t.co/VxnLVRNCH8— ryan semegran 🏴🏳️🌈 (@RSemegran) June 7, 2020American LGBTQ+ rights organisation GLAAD also condemned Rowling’s tweets, calling them “inaccurate and cruel”.
It posted on Twitter: “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.
“We stand with trans youth, especially those Harry Potter fans hurt by her inaccurate and cruel tweets.”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, 2020We stand with trans youth, especially those Harry Potter fans hurt by her inaccurate and cruel tweets. Our friend @jackisnotabird says it best. https://t.co/jLkchof3rn— GLAAD (@glaad) June 7, 2020Back in 2018, the Wizarding World creator sparked a backlash when she was seen “liking” a tweet referring to transgender women as “men in dresses”.
Her rep later put this down to a “clumsy” and “middle-aged mistake”.
Towards the end of last year, she was criticised when she spoke out in defence of Maya Forstater, who had been accused of using “offensive and exclusionary” language in a number of tweets relating to proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act, which would allow self-identification.
Last month, Rowling spoke out after tweeting – and swiftly deleting – a post that contained a sentence misgendering a transgender woman.
She said she had “accidentally pasted in” a sentence, which appeared to be from an article about transgender activist Tara Wolf. READ MORE: JK Rowling Speaks Out Over 'Accidental' Tweet About Transgender Woman JK Rowling Faces Backlash After Support For Woman Fired Over Transgender Comments JK Rowling 'Completely Recovered' After Showing 'All Symptoms' Of Coronavirus