J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues – J.K. Rowling
On Saturday morning, I read that the Scottish government is proceeding with its controversial gender recognition plans, which will in effect mean that all a man needs to become a woman is to say he s one. To use a very contemporary word, I was triggered . Ground down by the relentless attacks from trans activists on social media, when I was only there to give children feedback about pictures they d drawn for my book under lockdown, I spent much of Saturday in a very dark place inside my head, as memories of a serious sexual assault I suffered in my twenties recurred on a loop. That assault happened at a time and in a space where I was vulnerable, and a man capitalised on an opportunity. I couldn t shut out those memories and I was finding it hard to contain my anger and disappointment about the way I believe my government is playing fast and loose with womens and girls safety.
Late on Saturday evening, scrolling through children s pictures before I went to bed, I forgot the first rule of Twitter never, ever expect a nuanced conversation and reacted to what I felt was degrading language about women. I spoke up about the importance of sex and have been paying the price ever since. I was transphobic, I was a cunt, a bitch, a TERF, I deserved cancelling, punching and death. You are Voldemort said one person, clearly feeling this was the only language I d understand.