JK Rowling gets slammed with transphobia accusations, for defending a feminist fired for anti-trans views

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has voiced her support for a woman who pursued legal action to have “gender-critical views” protected under the UK Equalities Act.

The writer, 54, hasn’t tweeted since September, but made a surprise return to come out in support for Maya Forstater, who was plunged into a landmark case which tested whether anti-trans views would be considered as a protected characteristic under the 2010 Equalities Act.

Forstater’s employer, the Centre for Global Development, had hired her on a series of short-term contracts as a researcher which were not renewed after a dispute about her tweet in September 2018 which said: “Men cannot change into women.”

Forstater branded it as a “feminist test case” on her Twitter, but judges ultimately ruled that such views would not be protected. A ruling welcomed by many LGBT+ activists.

Following the outcome, Rowling expressed her support for Forstater, inciting a wave of backlash from trans folk and allies alike, accusing Rowling of “transphobia”.

Rowling had 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. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?” She then added the hashtags: “#IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.”

She was announcing her support of Forstater after judges stated that “gender-critical” views – a phrase often deployed to defend trans-exclusionary feminism– are “not worthy of respect in a democratic society”.

This came in the heels of Rowling formerly coming under fire for following a “proud transphobe” on Twitter, while also liking a series of tweets that called trans women “men in dresses.”

While Forstater herself also acknowledged Rowling’s tweet, writing: “We are all crying. This is all I wanted for Christmas”, most of Twitter descended on the writer with a fury, causing her to be a trending topic on Twitter alongside the tag “TERF”.

Countless LGBT+ Twitter users shared their responses to Rowling, with many criticizing her stance, calling it “unacceptable” as well as describing their own “heartbreak” at the beloved children’s book author stating such views.

“This hurt to read,” one user wrote. “The implications of your statement are huge for the trans community. Hogwarts was a shelter for us weirdos and oddballs but it seems we are no longer welcome.”

“Trans people are real. Intersex people are real. Bigotry is very real,” wrote another user. “Denying trans and intersex people’s rights and identities is dangerous and unacceptable.”

Yet another tweeted: “This is SUCH a dangerous precedent to set. Especially now that white supremacism, racism & the far right are gaining power & ground…to contribute to this global culture war against progressive values and LGBTQ communities is totally unacceptable. I implore you reflect.”

Some other reacted with “heartbreak” over the betrayal they perceived the woman who created the Pottermore community had rendered them. One said: “Well, she finally said the quiet part out loud. This is really heartbreaking for a lot of folks. If Harry Potter is ruined for you, I completely get it. I’m going to try to hold onto the magic I’ve found in fandom, the original text, & the magic others have created around it.”

“My daughter, who is trans, is a big fan of yours,” another user said. “It breaks my heart to see you post something indicating that discrimination against her is perfectly fine behaviour for an employee. The world’s most credible medical orgs affirm trans people. Please catch up.”

But not everyone was against Rowling, as some came in defense of her stance.

The one time you say something reasonable and everyone’s canceling you ?

— Blaire White (@MsBlaireWhite) December 19, 2019

Thank you. These are scary times for women who assert their right to recognise objective reality

— Helen Joyce (@HJoyceGender) December 19, 2019

You said nothing wrong. Social media is completely overrun by self-righteous bullies who use social justice as a means to intimidate others—especially women—into silence over this issue.

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) December 19, 2019

The amount of emotional responses to this tweet exemplifies why this a ridiculous discussion – people thinking their emotions trump facts and logic.

The facts don't change because they offend you.

Biology doesn't cease to exist simply because it hurts your feelings.

— Sydney Watson (@SydneyLWatson) December 20, 2019