J.K. Rowling is accused of transphobia after ridiculing women being called 'people who menstruate' .. two years after liking tweet referring to transgender people as 'men in dresses'
J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia after making a controversial comment about menstruation, two years after she liked a tweet which referred to transgender people as 'men in dresses'.
Taking to Twitter on Saturday, the Harry Potter author, 54, sparked fury among fellow social media users as she reacted to an online article titled 'Opinion: Creating a more equal post COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.'
'"People who menstruate." I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?', the award-winning writer told her 14.5million followers.
Controversy: J.K. Rowling has been accused of transphobia after making a comment about menstruation (pictured in 2018)
Disappointed fans and other users of the micro-blogging site branded the screenwriter's remarks 'anti-trans' and 'transphobic', as transgenders, non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals can also menstruate.
The producer stood by her tweet as she later insisted: '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.'
The media personality seemingly denied claims of transphobia as she insisted she 'respects every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.'
Backlash: The Harry Potter author, 54, reacted to an online article titled 'Opinion: Creating a more equal post COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.' (pictured earlier this year)
Fury: '"People who menstruate." I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?', the writer told her 14.5million followers
J. K. elaborated: '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’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.
'I’ve spent much of the last three years reading books, blogs and scientific papers by trans people, medics and gender specialists. I know exactly what the distinction is. Never assume that because someone thinks differently, they have no knowledge.'
Speaking out: The wordsmith seemingly denied claims of transphobia, before retweeting a fan's comment which slammed 'extremists' for 'insisting biological sex is an illusion'
Despite attempting to clarify her comments, the best-selling wordsmith was met with backlash, with one simply penning: 'Why you do this'. [sic]
An endometriosis sufferer, who hasn't had a period for years, also hit out, writing: 'That's interesting, because I have endometriosis and an IUD in place to treat it, and therefore, I no longer menstruate.
'I haven't had a menstrual cycle since early high school, and I'm 21. I guess I'm not a woman anymore? :/.' [sic]
A third accused the children's book star of using her platform to be a 'bigot', instead of speaking out on the Black Lives Matter movement in light on George Floyd's murder.
Not impressed: Disappointed fans and other users of the micro-blogging site branded the screenwriter's remarks 'anti-trans' and 'transphobic'
They said: 'We're in the middle of the biggest viral epidemic and one of the biggest movements for Black civil rights and JK Rowling is using her platform to be transphobic on main.
'she could really use her immense wealth and power to help people but... no... shes gonna use it to be a bigot.' [sic]
Others added: 'Honestly, it's amazing that you want this to taint your legacy. That this is something you want people to read on your in a biography about you or on your Wikipedia in 60 years.' [sic]
'I just can't imagine what it must be like knowing that children in 50 years, or even less time, will read/ fall in love with your books only to find out what kind of person wrote them and be so disappointed but just not care.' [sic]
'I guess I'm not a woman anymore?' Others, including an endometriosis sufferer, who hasn't had a period for years, also hit out
'People who menstruate include trans men...'. [sic]
'It really hurts to have to block JK Rowling. For a woman who once had such vision, she is incredibly shortsighted. Professor Trelawney would describe her mind as “hopelessly mundane”. The trans community deserves better. Much better.' [sic]
'I know you know this because you have been told over and over and over again, but transgender men can menstruate. Non-binary people menstruate. I, a 37-year old woman with a uterus, have not menstruated in a decade. Women are not defined by their periods.' [sic]
'What the actual f**k??? This is so disgraceful. Of all the hills to die on, and for what reason? Trans women are women and they are fighting for their lives. When you push this trans exclusionary agenda, you make their lives infinitely more difficult. Shame on you.' [sic]
'You 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?' [sic]
'JK Rowling taking this moment when not only Americans but people all over the world are in the streets talking about police killing Black people to be an anti-trans bigot makes it clear she not only hates trans folks she doesn’t give a shit about Black folks either.' [sic]
'As a gay man, let me just state for the record that "if sex isn't real there's no same-sex attraction" is absolute bulls**t, and shame on J.K. Rowling for trying to use gay people as a wedge to spread transphobic propaganda.' [sic]
'Goodnight and shut up': The former charity researcher also faced criticism from her fellow celebrities, with actress Sarah Paulson (pictured in February), 45, boldly telling her to 'shut up'
'Please share some of your $650million mega wealth': Actress Jameela Jamil (pictured in 2019), meanwhile, urged J.K. to donate to a fund in support of homeless black trans women
The former charity researcher also faced criticism from her fellow celebrities, with actress Sarah Paulson, 45, boldly telling her to 'shut up'.
Jonathan Van Ness of Queer Eye, 33, also shared his thoughts on her remarks, highlighting that transgender people are 'discriminated against every day.
The hairdresser tweeted: '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?' [sic]
'I've unfollowed!' Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness (pictured in 2019), 33, shared his thoughts on her remarks, highlighting that transgender people are 'discriminated against every day'
Former TV presenter and actress Jameela Jamil, meanwhile, urged J.K. to donate to a fund in support of homeless black trans women.
The activist, 34, penned: 'Hey 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.'
J. K. later retweeted a fan's comment which slammed 'extremists' for 'insisting biological sex is an illusion'.
Awkward: This is not the first time she has come under fire from her fans, as in March 2018, she appeared to 'like' a tweet which referred to transgender women as 'men in dresses'
The comment read: '@jk_rowling has pinpointed why so many gay peeps are concerned about the new version of trans activism.
'We used to be comrade-in-arms with our trans mates until some extremists insisted biological sex was an illusion. Our legal protections and our identities are based on it.'
A spokesperson for J.K declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
This is not the first time she has come under fire from her fans, as in March 2018, she appeared to 'like' a tweet which referred to transgender women as 'men in dresses'.
The comment was posted during a row about the status of transgender women in the Labour party.
'Trans culture is seeing the beloved author of your generation like a transphobic tweet': Her fans were quick to notice the apparent nod of support to the tweet
At the time, a spokesperson for J.K. told the Sun that the 'like' was a 'clumsy and middle-aged moment'.
They added that she has 'favourited' something by holding her phone incorrectly in the past.
However, her fans were quick to notice the apparent nod of support to the transphobic tweet which read: 'I was shouted at by men at my first Labour Party meeting aged 18 because I asked them to remove a Page 3 calendar.
'I've been told to toughen up, be louder, stronger, independent. I've not often felt supported. Men in dresses get more brocialist solidarity I never had. That's misogyny!'
J.K. Rowling is accused of transphobia after ridiculing women being called 'people who menstruate' .. two years after liking tweet referring to transgender people as 'men in dresses'
![J.K. Rowling is accused of transphobia after ridiculing women being called 'people who menstruate' .. two years after liking tweet referring to transgender people as 'men in dresses']()
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June 08, 2020
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