The Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling refuted any biological male’s attempt to define what a woman is, telling critics “real misogyny” is found in men telling women how to behave, think, or feel.
Rowling’s strong message appeared on Twitter following criticism from the LGBT community over her backing of biological women and belief that transgender women can pose a physical threat.
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Men defining what a woman is, what women should and shouldn’t fear, what women should and shouldn’t say, what rights women should be fine with giving up and, of course, what constitutes ‘real’ misogyny: get a bloody mirror. That’s real misogyny, looking right back at you.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 25, 2023
“Men defining what a woman is, what women should and shouldn’t fear, what women should and shouldn’t say, what rights women should be fine with giving up and, of course, what constitutes ‘real’ misogyny: get a bloody mirror,” Rowling wrote. “That’s real misogyny, looking right back at you.”
Rowling’s tweet follows a recent response to activist India Willoughby, who is a transgender woman who was born biologically male. Willoughby attacked the Harry Potter author, saying, “I’m more of a woman than JK Rowling will ever be.”
Rowling then told Willoughby: “Citation needed.”
Citation needed. pic.twitter.com/phsneRp9hZ
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 22, 2023
The author’s unpopularity quickly spread to the world of gaming as Netflix actor Sebastian Croft, who is known to be a supporter of the LGBT community, has taken flak for appearing in Hogwarts Legacy, a Harry Potter–themed video game.
“I was cast in this project over 3 years ago, back when all Harry Potter was to me, was the magical world I grew up with. This was long before I was aware of JK Rowling’s views. I believe whole heartedly that trans women are women and trans men are men,” Croft wrote on Twitter.
I was cast in this project over 3 years ago, back when all Harry Potter was to me, was the magical world I grew up with. This was long before I was aware of JK Rowling’s views.
I believe whole heartedly that trans women are women and trans men are men. https://t.co/QTAMClZDda— Sebastian Croft (@SebastianCroft) January 14, 2023
Actor Mark Hamill liked Rowling’s response to Willoughby, but he later issued an explanation.
“What I ‘liked’ about this exchange was someone speaking their truth to power,” Hamill tweeted. “Twitter is, unfortunately, no place for nuance. It’s imperative I make this abundantly clear: I support human rights for EVERYONE, regardless of their gender identity, PERIOD.”
What I “liked” about this exchange was someone speaking their truth to power. Twitter is, unfortunately, no place for nuance.
It’s imperative I make this abundantly clear: I support human rights for EVERYONE, regardless of their gender identity, PERIOD. https://t.co/eqQxuaZiss— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) January 24, 2023
The Harry Potter author has also taken heat for her support of biological female-only services for sexual abuse victims. In December, Rowling helped to fund the launch of a sexual violence help center in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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“I founded Beira’s Place to provide what I believe is currently an unmet need for women in the Lothians area,” Rowling said at the time. “As a survivor of sexual assault myself, I know how important it is that survivors have the option of women-centred and women-delivered care at such a vulnerable time. Beira’s Place will offer an increase in capacity for services in the area and will, I hope, enable more women to process and recover from their trauma.”
Rowling quickly faced backlash for excluding transgender women from the services.
