J. K. Rowling

[holliebollie]

My teenage daughter has just said to my dad, “God, don’t listen to JKR...” and kind of rolled her eyes (I was quoting something she had said as it fitted in with the convo at the time!). I had to say, please don’t immediately jump on the bandwagon of making out like she’s some strange old woman who doesn’t know what she’s saying.
She asked if I agreed with what she said and I said I did, in the sense there is nothing wrong with calling women ‘women’ and the statement ‘women menstruate’ shouldn’t really be torn to pieces by gender analysts. I asked if we are going to start calling men and trans women (who still have testes) ‘sperm creators’ Obv we never will. The way JKR worded it was kinda snarky IMO and obviously was going to cause a pile on. But as someone quite rightly said, she’s rich enough to be able to say whatever she likes and not really worry. Her job isn’t on the line, she won’t have people contacting employers etc.
I did some reading around it as I wanted to be sure I actually understood it. So she is getting abuse for saying it’s okay to say women when talking about periods. Is that right? And the reason people are saying she’s a TERF is because that alienates trans men (born female) who still have periods? I have total sympathy for any trans man who still has female body parts meaning they will have periods, more so if they don’t want them anymore but haven’t been able to have surgery. It must be shit and I really do feel sorry for people struggling with having to go back to that part of their old identity every now and again when trying to get away from it. But.... they don’t WANT to be women anymore?! Surely trans men who still have periods aren’t going to be offended that periods are attached to the word woman? The majority don’t WANT to be having them (nor do I am I’m a woman). So who is getting offended? Trans men (former women) who still have periods but don’t want to be lumped in with the word ‘women’ when talking about periods? Or have it got it wrong? I don’t know any trans people but whenever I have seen FTM people talk about periods it’s usually a negative and really distressing for them.
And as for the other argument ‘it’s insulting to women who don’t have periods anymore’... EY?!? My mum has just had a hysterectomy- she could not care less if someone said ‘helping WOMEN with period issues’ etc. Who would see that and say- ‘I don’t have periods now, are you saying I’m no longer a woman, I’m offended.’ I’m genuinely confused who is saying what.

 

[Scotch Mist]

According to The Times the Tories are going to shelve the self ID reforms because 70% of the public were not in favour of allowing male bodied people into female only spaces. And this was after huge infiltration of the poll by trans activists. As others have said, Twitter is not the world. It comes to something when you have to rely on a Tory government to protect the rights of women!

Well that's good news.

All the bathrooms where i work are now unisex. Some of the Muslim women at work were the ones most concerned over the issue. Nobody seems to care what they thought.

 

[headfullofdreams]

I never thought I'd say this, but I think she's milking the Harry Potter franchise too much now. Of course, I'm a total hypocrite because I still spend money on it all, but she's creating so many new side stories about the whole thing, it's getting a little tiresome. I'm only engaging in Fantastic Beasts because I don't want to miss out on any new nuggets of information. The storyline for Cursed Child was awful (I know she didn't write it, but she did contribute). It was poorly written, cringy fan fictions.

 

[suspecrobot]

Those are also the type I have issues with... And also men transitioning to women believing they should be allowed to compete in the woman's section of sports. I disagree with that a lot because they are built so differently genetically. Just because they've transitioned, doesn't take away the fact that their body is built so much stronger, etc.

Yep, they’ve already had the benefit of male hormones during their adolescent growth years.

 

[Justhereforthedrama]

Wow is that the Fallon Fox? The male to female transgender person who now beats women up in MMA?

What a disgusting thing to say. I hope they get banned from their MMA league.

I have to say I worry about my daughter too - she likes BMX and skating and baggy clothes. The way the world is geared to men I am ever fearful that someone will say 'well you might be a boy' and send her down an internet wormhole.

Its not that I dislike/fear/hate transpeople, it that I am deeply deeply suspicious that the 5000% increase in young females being referred to gender clinics are actually young lesbians who hate their bodies like lots of other girls, and that they are convinced life would be easier as a boy. I think in 10 years time we will have a tsunami of detrans girls who are infertile, have irreversible voice damage, baldness, mastectomies and facial hair. You already see how detrans girls are treated by the community.

JKR said this and was crucified.

 

[DanaScully]

@DanaScully welcome! Thank you for posting. Lesbians definitely seem to be forgotten about in all of this. I remember reading one of the Guardian blind dates where a lesbian was set up with a trans woman. Obviously she didn't take it further but the trans woman tweeted relentlessly about how she was a transphobe and so on. She had to make her Twitter private in the end

Thank you! Yes I remember that case, and it's one case of many I've heard of where trans women haven't disclosed they are trans to someone they've arranged a date with because they don't feel they have to.

To me this is straight up deception and coercion, pushing lesbians into a scenario whereby if they dare to dissent they are radical and transphobic and not a valid member of the community. We are literally being pushed out and shouted over by the trans lobby.

Also certain lesbian dating websites and apps are banning lesbians who include a disclaimer on their profile that they are only interested in females for the reason of "transphobia". Note that J. Yaniv is on the app 'Her' without any mention of being trans, and apparently that's a-ok.

I could go on and on. It all feels unbelievable, but it's so very real.

 

[gukkies]

Regardless of my opinions of Rowling, seeing that front page of The Sun this morning has sickened me. No woman should have to wake up to find the face of her abuser on the front page of such filth. And for The Sun to undermine the abuse with that headline? It's never "just a slap" and even if it had been (which it clearly wasn't) – abuse is abuse and to stick him on the front cover and paint him as near-heroic is inexcusable. No woman should ever have to find her abuse underplayed like that.

 

[Prinstress]

US author steps back from ‘cancel culture’ letter due to Rowling involvement
Author Jenny Boylan has distanced herself from an open letter against ‘cancel culture’ after discovering that another writer – believed to be JK Rowling - was a co-signatory.

Boylan, who transitioned in 2000, wrote: “I did not know who else had signed that letter. I thought I was endorsing a well meaning, if vague, message against internet shaming.

“I did know Chomsky, Steinem, and Atwood were in, and I thought, good company. The consequences are mine to bear. I am so sorry.”

Rowling hit back with a tweet referencing Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, which is about witch hunts in both the 17th century and the times of American politician Joseph McCarthy’s hunt for suppoprters of the Communist Party in the US in the 1950s.

She wrote: “You’re still following me, Jennifer. Be sure to publicly repent of your association with Goody Rowling before unfollowing and volunteer to operate the ducking stool next time, as penance.”



Imagine denouncing cancel culture, then taking it back because someone you want cancelled has done the same *shrug*


ETA Link: author steps back from cancel culture letter

 

[SqualorVictoria]

@DanaScully welcome! Thank you for posting. Lesbians definitely seem to be forgotten about in all of this. I remember reading one of the Guardian blind dates where a lesbian was set up with a trans woman. Obviously she didn't take it further but the trans woman tweeted relentlessly about how she was a transphobe and so on. She had to make her Twitter private in the end

 

[Zenchick101]

This is an interesting topic I wouldn't dare bring up with people because I'd be "transphobic". I think the tone of some of her tweets were a bit mocking, but she never said anything inherently wrong, what I got from it was that natural born? women have a different life experience and history of continued oppression then any other group. They go through different experiences, traumas that Trans women will never completely understand because a)they at first grew up as male in society's eyes and b)they are put in a different category by society all together and that's fact. I'm all for people doing what makes them comfortable but never discuss this with people because you're automatically ostracized if you don't submit to the majority. I'm a woman and I'm not sure if my boyfriend is hairier then me btw

 

[SqualorVictoria]

I am fucking fuming. There's a debate on Facebook about JKR and someone said they can still enjoy Harry Potter because they can separate the art from the artist, in the same way that they still like Roman Polanski's films. How is JK defending women in any way comparable to Polanski? I am seriously fed up. Oh and of course this was from a straight man who is blissfully unaware of the nuances of this debate. I know because he told me a few weeks back he didn't really know enough about it

 

[SqualorVictoria]

US author steps back from ‘cancel culture’ letter due to Rowling involvement
Author Jenny Boylan has distanced herself from an open letter against ‘cancel culture’ after discovering that another writer – believed to be JK Rowling - was a co-signatory.

Boylan, who transitioned in 2000, wrote: “I did not know who else had signed that letter. I thought I was endorsing a well meaning, if vague, message against internet shaming.

“I did know Chomsky, Steinem, and Atwood were in, and I thought, good company. The consequences are mine to bear. I am so sorry.”

Rowling hit back with a tweet referencing Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, which is about witch hunts in both the 17th century and the times of American politician Joseph McCarthy’s hunt for suppoprters of the Communist Party in the US in the 1950s.

She wrote: “You’re still following me, Jennifer. Be sure to publicly repent of your association with Goody Rowling before unfollowing and volunteer to operate the ducking stool next time, as penance.”



Imagine denouncing cancel culture, then taking it back because someone you want cancelled has done the same *shrug*


ETA Link: author steps back from cancel culture letter

That is too funny! Signs a petition on free speech and then withdraws because she doesn't like one of the names on the list

 

[SqualorVictoria]

I just want to ask, now that you find yourself on the “wrong” side of leftists for the first time, do you now realise how unethical and damaging these leftist tactics are?

I mean of branding yourselves right and the “other side” wrong, to the point of the other side being irredeemable as human beings? And for reducing highly complex issues such as abortion and gay marriage to just “we’re right and good, you’re wrong and evil”? That anyone who disagrees with you must have evil and sinister motives such as homophobia or misogyny, rather than genuine concerns.

Did you ever consider what people who are not 100% pro choice, or not 100% in favour of gay marriage, might think or feel? Did you think they deserve any treatment they get, and has your opinion changed?

A very good question and thanks for asking it. It has certainly given me pause for thought and made me realise that I too was probably one of those people that was divisive and instantly branded someone (in my head) a certain way if they didn't vote the way I thought they should. It has been an eye opener to be honest, and has made me more than a little ashamed. I'm still happy about the outcomes of both but yes I should not have dismissed people so easily

 

[Lanavalentine]

And now you're spouting propaganda and hate speech of your own under the guise of feminism...



All I see in this thread is hate and bigotry. People obsessed and consumed with hatred for trans people simply because they are trans.

The posts are filled with belittling and crass and gross comments about trans people their lives and bodies. Every single bigoted comment over simplifies the trans experience by making light of people's lives and existence.

You all claim to care and are full of compassion... but it is entirely self serving. It's only about issues which concern yourselves.

Please can you quote some of these belittling and gross comments? Can you quote some posts that are full of hate and bigotry and point it out?

I’m having trouble seeing what you’re seeing.

I see a lot of posters who are pro-woman, fighting to retain women’s rights, with clear understanding of what’s happening.

Because they championed trans rights until trans people got a little too equal. Then it’s not ok.

Humans will happily live with other minority humans but only when that minority stays a minority and stays in their place. If things get too much, out comes the vitriol.

No, we happily championed trans rights until the rights they wanted actively ruined our own. I suspect you know that, though.

 

[Pinkii]

I’m sick of everyone expecting women to put other people’s feelings above our own. I asked my NHS practice last year to guarantee me a woman to do my smear as I was raped years ago and find it all very traumatic. They wouldn’t do it, said it’s whoever is free on the day and if I get there and not happy I can book another appointment. I ended up paying to have it done privately where I could select the practitioner myself. Why do I have to pay to avoid extra trauma for something that is already extremely distressing to me to avoid hurting the feelings of some woke idiot? I’ve had enough of it all.

So sorry you went through that

This is the stuff i am concerned about! What if you had someone who identifies as a woman doing your test and you refused it based on that!? You’d be accused of all sorts and your own valid feelings wouldn’t be taken into account.

 

[Scotch Mist]

The world plays dumb with J.K. Rowling

‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://tattle.life/threads/19920/ — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020 On Saturday, Harry Potter...

www.feministcurrent.com

This is an excellent article and sums it up for me.

 

[PinkBogeyBreath]

Excuse me but you're talking absolute crap like most of the people spouting this vile and hateful nonsense.

In no way are trans people erasing gay and lesbian people that's hilarious. It's not a competition!! I'm pretty certain most LGBT people stand united they certainly wouldn't side with your outdated and small-minded views.

I feel sorry for some of the people on here. I hope you get well soon. The confusion and fixation on trans people is bizarre to me.

Trans people are literally just trying to get on with their lives they aren't trying to attack or take over anything. These are the same narratives that supposed "feminists" use time and time again.

Transpeople will not be erased, they have always existed and their voices will be heard.

This thread reeks of white supremacy and entitlement.

In their quest for their “trans rights” they are trying to take away women’s rights in the process. Like the rights to access single sex spaces without someone who labels themselves as a woman being able to enter that space. They arent just trying to get on with their lives.

And they are 100% erasing lesbian and gay people. Imagine trying to find a same sex partner and being told that you are transphobic for wanting to be with an actual woman instead of a person with a penis and a lifetime of male socialisation. It’s ridiculous.

 

[creme.egg92]

So sorry you went through that

This is the stuff i am concerned about! What if you had someone who identifies as a woman doing your test!? You’d be accused of all sorts and your own valid feelings wouldn’t be taken into account.

Exactly and in relation to the above post, surely anyone with half a brain would think women who are the victims of sexual violence deserve to have their needs put above those of whoever wants to self ID. You cannot just demand access to those jobs. Find another job. Why doesn’t anyone care about the impact this has on us? Why are we expected to put up and shut up? What a massive insult to women to expect people who have reached out for advice or counselling on sexual violence to have to be counselled or advised by a man. I can’t get my head around it.

 

[Pablomamma]

I can’t believe how terrifying this actually is. Defend someone as per your right to free speech and lose your job? State your beliefs and be abused in public? Offer another opinion or ask for an open debate and be shouted down into submission? I wouldn’t dare say what I feel in public - it’s not on.

 

[Milliemoo99]

Posie Parker interview

There are so many interesting facts in this:

Like the interviewer talking about how in private Women are vehmently angry about being called cis!
and the idea that the majority of middle aged transitioners are male to female. And virtually no middle aged, women to men. Which is an interesting statistic.
And the idea of the thin end of the wedge, if we call f to male transitioners a different pronoun, then its much harder to stop transitioned females from participating in female sports as a woman....despite their physical differences..., and it also is harder to define sex crimes...if a transitioned female rapes a woman, , then it is put down as a female against female crime!! Astonishing!!

How did we end up here?