Author JK Rowling Responds to Criticism over Tweets

Harry Potter author JK Rowling responded to an article last weekend, which was centered around “people who menstruate,” by saying that she is certain there was a “word for those people. ... Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” The author received plenty of backlash after the Twitter post, with many accusing her of being transphobic.

Rowling Accused of Being Transphobic 

Rowling defended her comment, saying that it’s not hateful to “speak the truth.” “I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives,” Rowling added. 

Rowling published a blog post on Wednesday talking about her experiences with domestic abuse and sexual assault. She also stated her interest in transgender issues, stemming largely from curiosity when it comes to “both education and safeguarding” as well as “freedom of speech.” Another reason for her interest in the matter comes from concerns around single-sex spaces, the author said. 

The author received a lot of criticism, including from actors who have starred in movie adaptations of her books, like Daniel Radcliffe, Eddie Redmayne, and Emma Watson. Despite that, Rowling said that she now has plenty of motivation to address transgender issues on Twitter, especially because of what she sees as an increasingly misogynistic society. 

“Never have I seen women denigrated and dehumanized to the extent they are now,” Rowling said in her Wednesday blog post.

Despite all the criticism and some’s anger over Rowling’s words, many also took to social media to express their support for the author.