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Posted on June 10, 2020 at 3:09 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek
J.K. Rowling is no stranger to controversy when it comes to tweets, and in case you missed it, she drew attention again this weekend.
Rowling’s tweets that took issue with an article that referred to “all people who menstruate” were seen by many as transphobic — an accusation she’s faced in the past.
She responded to critics Wednesday in an essay posted on her website, in which she explains her reasons for speaking about sex and gender issues.
Rowling's essay came days after two prominent actors who’ve performed in adaptations of her work — Daniel Radcliffe and Eddie Redmayne — publicly objected to her tweets, as did some Harry Potter fans, including NPR’s Mallory Yu.
Rowling’s corporate partners, such as Scholastic and Warner Bros., have been fairly quiet, with the exception of Universal Parks & Resorts, which issued a brief statement that you can read in Deadline.
Here's the initial tweet at issue ...
‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA
... and the follow-up that furthered the flames:
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
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Categories: Today in Books