MANILA, Philippines — Bestselling author J.K. Rowling, known for writing the “Harry Potter” series, has been criticized once again by online users for her controversial social media posts — this time over a tweet called transphobic by both fans and non-fans.
The author trended on Twitter after saying she supports Maya Forstater, a researcher who lost her job and subsequently an employment tribunal case for her tweets attacking the transgender community.
“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,” Rowling’s tweet posted Thursday night read.
Dress however you please.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 19, 2019
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
Members of the LGBTQ+ community said that by siding with Forstater, the influential “Harry Potter” author was justifying transphobia and the undermining of trans rights.
When I was little, my dream was to one day ask you how people like me would have been accomodated for in hogwarts..
I'm afraid that my dreams might have been crushed if I ever got that chance.— Noel is entering peak holiday spirit (@notafootstool) December 19, 2019
Also, It is both a scientific and medical fact that intersex individuals do exist and gender is not as binary as mainstream society is set to believe. There have been documented cases of patients born with genetically male 46 XY karyotype who have gotten pregnant and gave birth.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) December 19, 2019
My daughter, who is trans, is a big fan of yours. It breaks my heart to see you post something indicating that discrimination against her is perfectly fine behaviour for an employee.
— Amanda Jetté Knox (@MavenOfMayhem) December 19, 2019
The world’s most credible medical orgs affirm trans people. Please catch up.
Actress Patricia Arquette also replied to Rowling’s tweet saying that she did not support Forstater “for many reasons.”
“I am not afraid of being raped by a trans woman, in fact, I’m afraid FOR trans women as they have the highest likelihood of being raped in any group. I’m afraid of rapists who are -everywhere sadly,” Arquette’s reply read.
I am not afraid of being raped by a trans woman in fact I’m afraid FOR trans women as they have the highest likelihood of being raped in any group. I’m afraid of rapist who are -everywhere sadly.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) December 19, 2019
Forstater also quote-tweeted Rowling saying, “This is all i wanted for Christmas.”
OMG! We are all crying. This is all i wanted for Christmas https://t.co/5ucPGUHIxY
— Maya Forstater (@MForstater) December 19, 2019
A tax expert formerly working as a visiting fellow at think-tank Centre for Global Development, Forstater’s contract was not renewed earlier this year after she publicly posted negative views against the trans community.
What I am so surprised at is that smart people who I admire, who are absolutely pro-science in other areas, and champion human rights & womens rights are tying themselves in knots to avoid saying the truth that men cannot change into women (because that might hurt mens feelings)
— Maya Forstater (@MForstater) September 30, 2018