J.K. Rowling's support of researcher fired for being anti-trans sparks backlash
UK news
December 19, 2019
JK Rowling faces backlash for defending a woman who lost her job after transgender comments
The Harry Potter author is being called a trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF), after she defended a researcher who lost her job for saying that people can’t change their biological sex.
Photo via @HBODocsJK Rowling faces backlash for defending a woman who lost her job after transgender comments
Harry Potter author JK Rowling accused of being a 'TERF' after defending researcher who was sacked for tweeting 'men cannot change into women'
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The acronym TERF stands for "trans exclusionary radical feminist." — The Guardian
Background
Anti-trans ‘gender critical’ views not a protected characteristic under the equalities act, judge rules
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Earlier this year, the think tank where Maya Forstater worked made the decision not to renew her contract, after she was accused of using “offensive and exclusionary” language in a number of tweets relating to proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act, which would allow self-identification. — HuffPostUK
The full ruling in the Maya Forstater case is well worth a read, with the judge describing absolutist gender essentialism as "not worthy of respect in a democratic society":
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Here are some particularly illuminating passages:
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JK Rowling's Tweet
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?
#IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill
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Trans women are women.
Trans men are men.
Non-binary people are non-binary.
CC: JK Rowling.
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So this JK Rowling thing seems to be about a woman who didn’t have her contract renewed because of her transphobia. She filed a case claiming it was sexism that her ‘gender critical’ views were seen as transphobic and harmful
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I don’t particularly care about JK Rowling. But I think it’s troubling that going into 2020 there is still so much debate about whether trans people are real and should have protections and be respected.
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Being anti-trans is anti-feminist. I’m so disappointed to see the transphobic language coming from British feminists today re: the #mayaforstater ruling.
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JK Rowling's imagination is big enough to create a world where there's a secret magical school, invisible train platforms that help you get there, and creatures from dragons to screaming plants. Yet, she can't imagine why trans women ought to be recognized as their identity. Wow.
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Replying to
As a gay man that found safety in Hogwarts throughout my childhood - knowing that Trans people wouldn’t be able to have that safety breaks my heart.
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I want every trans kid in the world to know what I wish someone had told me when I was growing up: you are valid, you are real, and you are who you say you are. Just think how many precious young lives would have been saved, how many completely unnecessary years of misery avoided
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