Backlash is nothing new to Harry Potter scribe JK Rowling following accusations of her being transphobic and that didn’t sit well with many resulting to people starting to call for a boycott on her works such as the Harry Potter saga. Recently, she has been hit by another wave of criticisms after tweeting an Orwellian remark on Scottish Transgender rape policy.
A public outcry followed the Scottish police decision abiding by the self-identification of the rapists that a biologically male rapist who identifies himself as female be recorded as a woman and even without confirmation from a medical diagnosis nor gender transitioning. This allows rapists to have access to women-only spaces while in police custody.
This policy did not sit well with many considering that there could be a chance that some offenders could declare that they identify themselves as women when they really aren’t, possibly giving them a window with access on women-only spaces, putting those who are confined there in danger.
Most angered by this policy are women’s rights activists and Edinburgh-based author, JK Rowling, has been vocal about the issue on her personal online space on Twitter, expressing her disapproval on the said policy.
Rowling tweeted on the issue of the transgender rape policy with a quote from George Orwell’s 1984, “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength. The Penised Individual Who Raped You Is a Woman.” The Scottish law, Sexual Offenses Act of 2009, has defined rape as “non-consensual penetration with a penis.”
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Early in November, trans rights activists threw death threats on Rowling, even having her address put on social media and after a month, she gets another backlash on the said comment she made on the trans rights policy announced by the Scottish police. Supporters of trans rights clapped back on Rowling saying that transwomen are not dangerous and that there are also women who are rapists.
Even with the backlash on Rowling, she also had some supporters in this regard calling her brave for speaking up on the issue and protecting women’s rights, especially those who are in the custody of the police.
What do you think of the policy? Do you agree with JK Rowling?
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