“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling stirred up quite a bit of controversy Sunday with a tweet seemingly taking aim at how rapes could soon be reported in Scotland.
“War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength,” she wrote, before delivering the line that sparked waves of social media furor as well as praise. “The Penised Individual Who Raped You Is a Woman.”
War is Peace.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 12, 2021
Freedom is Slavery.
Ignorance is Strength.
The Penised Individual Who Raped You Is a Woman.https://t.co/SyxFnnboM1
Rowling’s message came along with a link to a piece in The Times discussing proposed laws in Scottland that would purportedly result in police recording rapes by biological males as being committed by a female if the assailant identifies as a woman — even if no legal attempt to make a gender change has occurred.
It’s an issue now getting a plethora of attention across the Twitterverse after Rowling dove into the debate.
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While some condemned the author’s response as “transphobic,” others praised her for what they saw as an honest assessment of the current cultural conundrums surrounding the transgender issue.
“There are some areas in which biological sex matters, and rape stats are definitely one,” author Milli Hill wrote. “Thank you for continuing to wake people up to these issues.”
There are some areas in which biological sex matters, and rape stats are definitely one. Thank you for continuing to wake people up to these issues. #sexmatters
— Milli Hill (@millihill) December 12, 2021
Thank you
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) December 12, 2021
Thank you. You have no idea how important your voice is, or how much it means to women and girls 💕
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) December 12, 2021
Others took a different stand, condemning Rowling’s tweet and accusing her of attacking and maligning a marginalized people group.
“I cannot imagine what goes on in your head that categorises a group of people who are more marginalised and vulnerable than pretty much any other as a threat,” wrote Twitter user @JellyJen1. “It’s just really upsetting and disappointing.”
you really refuse to let us enjoy them lil books you put out.
— king crissle (@crissles) December 13, 2021
Wow Jk ROWLING, Now U KNOW what #Trans People experience daily! How’s it feel? You would think instead of acting like a victim, you would start to empathize with the death threats & tormenting #Trans people receive DAILY for just existing & TONS are MURDERED every year💔💔
— Daniel Newmaη (@DanielNewman) December 13, 2021
I cannot imagine what goes on in your head that categorises a group of people who are more marginalised and vulnerable than pretty much any other as a threat. It’s just really upsetting and disappointing.
— Jenny Pirks 💙 (@JellyJen1) December 13, 2021
As Faithwire has reported, this isn’t the first time Rowling has sparked furor for speaking about the transgender issue.
The author made headlines last December for decrying the “climate of fear” that surrounds the transgender debate. She has also addressed why she speaks out so openly on the issue.
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased,” she once tweeted. “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.”
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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
And that only scratches the surface, as you’ll see here and here. Despite ongoing pushback to Rowling’s views, Sunday’s tweet appears to be evidence she won’t be backing down anytime soon.
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