J.K. Rowling Accused Of Being Anti-Trans But Looking Deep Into Her Tweet — Is She?
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The “Harry Potter” book series has amassed a huge following for author J.K. Rowling. So much so that anything she says is under a microscope. It was her latest tweets that really had people questioning whether or not she supports transgender people or is actually anti-trans. Let’s take a deeper look into her remarks as well as some celebrity insight on the situation.
Rowling tweeted an article that was an opinion piece about “Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.” She wrote “People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” in response to the article.
J.K. Rowling Alluded That Only Women Menstruate
This tweet did in fact make it seem like Rowling thinks that only women can menstruate. However, people were quick to point out that transgender, non-binary and gender-nonconforming people can menstruate. Several Twitter users even shared their own stories about transitioning to another gender but are still menstruating, or having underlying health conditions that keep them from menstruating. This caused Rowling to speak out again after people told her to educate herself. She said, “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.” The thing that outraged people the most is the fact that it is pride month. LGBTQ people are supposed to be celebrated during this month as well as putting emphasis on equality.
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Harry Potter film star Daniel Radcliffe decided to speak out on the matter. He said, “While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment.” The Trevor Project is a non-profit focused on suicide prevention efforts for LGBTQ youth. He continued “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.” While he said that he respects Rowling, he also denounced her tweets and acknowledged that it was wrong of her to speak out about this.
Some People Supported Rowling And The Comments She Made
We all know Rowling is an intelligent woman, after all, she is the creator of one of the most successful franchises of all time. But, were her comments anti-trans? She tweeted that one of her “self-described butch lesbian” friends called her to tell her that she agreed with her remarks.
Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch did not want trans people to feel abandoned by the franchise. “I think it’s irresponsible to discuss such a delicate topic over Twitter through fragmented thoughts and I wish Jo wouldn’t,” she said. “That said, as a friend and admirer of Jo I can’t forget what a generous and loving person she is,” she continued. There are definitely conflicting sides to this matter because it seems like those that know her personally credit her for starting their careers and know that she is a good person. Other’s are outraged that she would say such a thing during such a difficult time for the world already, especially on social media. In the past, we have seen how influential Rowling is and the fact that she created content that people have fallen in love with and read throughout their childhoods speaks volumes.
More Celebrities Weighed In On Twitter About Whether Or Not Rowling Is Anti-Trans
American Horror Story actress Sarah Paulson tweeted “Word. Goodnight and shut up @jk_rowling.” Paulson is a member of the LGBTQ community and did not take the tweets lightly. Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness also wrote “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?” Rowling’s tweets came at a time where protests have been taking place all over the world to fight for justice for the black community. Singer Mary Lambert wrote “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?”
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But the question really boils down to whether or not you think Rowling really is anti-trans or if she was just trying to say something that got lost in translation. She did put out more tweets trying to explain herself and her reasoning that is definitely worth taking a look at. She did preface the tweets by saying “I know and love trans people.” It’s hard to say what her reasoning or true meaning was behind her initial tweet, but we’re very curious to hear your opinions on the matter. Do you think J.K. Rowling is anti-trans or had honest intentions pointing out something from the article she originally posted about?
