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J.K Rowling stands behind Anti-Transgender researcher

This is incredibly disappointing. - by Milly Haddrick
  • 20 Dec 2019

J.K. Rowling is currently being slammed on Twitter after openly supporting Maya Forstater, a researcher who was fired for expressing anti-transgender views. 

WATCH: Daniel Radcliffe says he is interested in the new 'Harry Potter' movie

The Harry Potter author tweeted a seriously problematic defence of Maya Forstater on Thursday after Maya lost a court hearing which challenged her termination from the Centre for Global Development. 

"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 tweeted.

#NOPE.

J.K. Rowling

A big #nope to this.

Getty

Here's the thing, no matter who you are, discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated, and it most definitely should be a firable offence. 

According to The Guardian Maya Forstater tweeted anti-transgender statements such as "men cannot change into women". 

Maya

Maya Forstater has lost her court appeal.

BBC

After such horrendous and transphobic tweets, Maya was fired from her role as a fellow for the Centre for Global Development, which she promptly fought in court. 

However, yesterday employment judge James Tayler upheld her sacking as 'valid', saying that her views were "absolutist" and did "not have the protected characteristic of philosophical belief."

"I conclude from … the totality of the evidence, that [Forstater] is absolutist in her view of sex and it is a core component of her belief that she will refer to a person by the sex she considered appropriate even if it violates their dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. The approach is not worthy of respect in a democratic society," the judge wrote.

J.K Rowling

Ironic?

Getty

In an even more shocking twist, it turns out that following J.K. Rowling's tweet members of LGBTQ organization GLAAD offered to meet with her for an off-the-record meeting with members from the trans community. 

Which she declined.

"J.K. Rowling, whose books gave kids hope that they could work together to create a better world, has now aligned herself with an anti-science ideology that denies the basic humanity of people who are transgender," GLAAD’s head of talent Anthony Ramos said in a statement afterwards.

"Trans men, trans women, and non-binary people are not a threat, and to imply otherwise puts trans people at risk. Now is the time for allies who know and support trans people to speak up and support their fundamental right to be treated equally and fairly."

J.K. Rowling

We are heartbroken.

Getty

Many people on Twitter expressed how disappointed and heartbroken they are knowing a woman who brought so much magic into their lives could support anti-trans views. 

trans jk rowling

This.

Twitter

J.K. Rowling has a problematic history.

Recently Rowling faced pretty intense criticism when she backed Johhny Depp's casting in Fantastic Beasts after he was accused of domestic violence by ex-wife, Amber Heard. 

All in all, a woman like Rowling not using her immense power to protect those most at risk while supporting those who deny their identity is extremely disappointing. 

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Milly Haddrick
Milly Haddrick
Milly is the Digital Content Editor for Entertainment. A devout tea and chocolate enthusiast, Milly is a lover of all things pop culture (with a little dash of politics).

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