Hey guys, it’s Emile Ennis Jr. here with Clevver News and J.K.
Rowling has finally responded to the backlash of her transphobic Tweets and another Harry
Potter star is speaking out too!
It all started on Saturday, when the Harry Potter author shared an article on social
media titled “Creating a More Equal Post-COVID-19 World For People Who Menstruate.”
She tweeted, “Let me repeat those last three words; “People Who Menstruate.
I’m sure there used to be a word for those people.
Someone help me out.
Wumben?
Wimpund?
Woomud?”
But wait, there’s EVEN more.
Buckle up, because it gets worse.
J.K. started a Twitter thread, writing, quote;
“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.”
She added, quote; “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.”
She ended her thread by saying; “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.
Needless to say, a lot of people weren’t happy with the famous author.
Harry Potter himself delivered a powerful message AGAINST J.K.
Rowling earlier this week saying, “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.”
He added; “It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary
people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.”
And now, Emma Watson, famously known for portraying Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film
series, responded to J.K.’s Tweets, saying, quote;
“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being
constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.”
She continued, saying; “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other
people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”
Evanna Lynch who played Luna Lovegood, Tweeted out some thoughts on the matter, writing,
quote; “I disagree with her opinion that cis-women are the most vulnerable minority
in this situation and I think she’s on the wrong side of this debate.
But that doesn’t mean she has completely lost her humanity.”
Eddie Redmayne, star of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ film franchise, spoke out with the same sentiments
toward J.K., saying, quote; “I disagree with Jo’s comments.
Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid.
I would never want to speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my dear transgender
friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which all
too often results in violence and abuse.
They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so.”
There are so many others who came out against the famous author, from celebrities to everyday
people.
After all the backlash, J.K. finally decided to respond with a lengthy blog post on her
own personal website.
J.K. started off by explaining her “interest” in trans issues.
For those that don’t remember, J.K. first came under fire because of a like of a transphobic
Tweet.
She claimed it was an accident, writing; “When I started taking an interest in gender identity
and transgender matters, I began screenshotting comments that interested me, as a way of reminding
myself what I might want to research later.”
Next, J.K. explained why she followed the “young brave feminist” Magdalen Burns,
saying, quote; “I followed her because I wanted to contact her directly, which I succeeded
in doing.
However, as Magdalen was a great believer in the importance of biological sex, and didn’t
believe lesbians should be called bigots for not dating trans women with penises.”
Then she revealed she had five reasons for “speaking up” on the trans right movement
and her concerns with it.
She said, quote; “Firstly, I have a charitable trust that focuses on alleviating social deprivation
in Scotland, with a particular emphasis on women and children.”
She added; “The second reason is that I’m an ex-teacher and the founder of a children’s
charity, which gives me an interest in both education and safeguarding.”
J.K. admitted she feared the effects that the “trans right movement would have”
on these groups.
Her third reason was simple; freedom of speech.
Her fourth reason was a bit more complicated.
She said, quote;
“I’m concerned about the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also
about the increasing numbers who seem to be detransitioning (returning to their original
sex), because they regret taking steps that have, in some cases, altered their bodies
irrevocably, and taken away their fertility.”
Finally, J.K. opened up about the abuse she faced in her first marriage, the first time
she has publicly talked about it.
While talking about the fear she felt, she admitted she fears the same thing for trans-identified
people.
She wrote, quote; “I believe the majority of trans-identified people not only pose zero
threat to others, but are vulnerable for all the reasons I’ve outlined.
Trans people need and deserve protection.
Like women, they’re most likely to be killed by sexual partners.
Trans women who work in the sex industry, particularly trans women of colour, are at
particular risk.
Like every other domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor I know, I feel nothing but
empathy and solidarity with trans women who’ve been abused by men.”
J.K. continued, saying; “So I want trans women to be safe.
At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe.
When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes
or feels he’s a woman – and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may
now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones – then you open the door to
any and all men who wish to come inside.
That is the simple truth.”
For more on what others had to say on her initial comments, click on our video right
over there;
What do you think of J.K.’s response?
Let us know down below in the comments section.
I’m Emile Ennis Jr. bye guys.