JK Rowling has once again become the focal point of a Twitter controversy following a series of tweets connecting gender-critical views to the Taliban. Here’s the whole story.
The Challenges Faced by Transgender People
In a recent Twitter exchange, Benjamin Butterworth, a known voice for the LGBTQ+ community, called attention to the challenges faced by transgender people and their allies in society.
Butterworth tweeted, “Tonight I was compared to the Taliban – a group that beheads and murders women and gay people – for supporting trans people’s existence in society. It is a disgusting indictment of the assault on LGBT people and their allies. There is no low these people won’t go to.”
Julia Hartley-Brewer, a UK-based broadcaster and political journalist, quickly challenged the tweet and commented, “At least the Taliban know what a woman is.”
Wizarding News™, Follows Rowling’s Activities, Especially Regarding Her Views on Gender and Transgender Rights
This remark drew attention and support from none other than renowned author J.K. Rowling, who controversially liked Hartley-Brewer’s comment.
Wizarding News™ immediately noticed the endorsement from Rowling.
This famous American Twitter account closely follows and comments on Rowling’s activities, especially regarding her views on gender and transgender rights.
The account recalled that Rowling had previously threatened to sue them for a tweet from 2021 that, according to Wizarding News™, had been seen by fewer than 1,000 people.
“Gender Critical” Ideology
This tweet suggested that the “Gender Critical” ideology, which Rowling has been associated with, agrees with the Taliban’s view on women.
They were shocked that she was now endorsing these views herself after threatening legal action just a few years ago.
Wizarding News™ went on to share excerpts from the four-page demand letter they received from Rowling’s legal team.
According to them, the letter cited UK laws that held no bearing on the US-based Twitter account.
“Serious Reputational Harm”
The letter allegedly claimed the tweet had caused “serious reputational harm” to Rowling and also argued that Wizarding News™’s primary focus on Twitter was to “attack” the Harry Potter author.
Wizarding News™ countered by tweeting, “In reality, we are commiserating with fellow former fans of her work, documenting and analyzing the consequences of her transphobic beliefs, and monitoring far-right influences.”
Rowling’s law firm, described as a “reputation” law firm by Wizarding News™, stated in the letter: “It is harder to think of a comparison which is more harmful to reputation, or more offensive, than comparing someone to the Taliban […]”.
“Weird How It Only Became a Problem When You Called It Out”
This comment struck a chord within the LGBTQ+ community, with one Twitter user stating, “She didn’t seem to think it was offensive or harmful when she endorsed that comparison. Weird how it only became a problem when you called it out.”
Wizarding News™ also highlighted that Rowling did not demand an apology from them, which was in contrast to her past actions towards other critics of her views.
Shortly after receiving the legal threat, Wizarding News ™ deleted the offending tweet.
The Conversation Surrounding Transgender Rights Is Far From Over
The Twitter community was quick to respond. One user commented, “If you don’t want to be seen as supporting the Taliban, then perhaps don’t like posts that are supportive of the Taliban? Even if the post punches down on your favorite target, the trans community.”
This incident once again sheds light on Rowling’s stance on transgender issues, a topic she has frequently addressed in recent years, often leading to significant debate. It is a narrative that continues dividing her fan base and critics.
As these instances continue to occur, it is clear that the conversation surrounding transgender rights, both within and outside the LGBTQ+ community, is far from over.
The post JK Rowling Stirs Controversy by Liking Tweet Associating Gender-Critical Views with the Taliban – Twitter Goes Mad!! first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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Source: Twitter