J.K. Rowling Responds to Pipebomb Death Threat, Hits Out at Trans Activists

J.K. Rowling has hit out at a Twitter user on Monday, after she was sent a "pipebomb" threat amid a series of attacks over her previous statements about trans women.

The Harry Potter author shared a screenshot of the offending tweet, which was directed at her on Sunday, as she slammed the efforts of some trans activists to get her "cancelled."

Responding to the post—which read, "I wish you a very nice pipebomb in the mailbox"—Rowling wrote: "To be fair, when you can't get a woman sacked, arrested or dropped by her publisher, and cancelling her only made her book sales go up, there's really only one place to go."

After another Twitter user asked if the threat was a reaction to Rowling's statements about men being allowed to use women's restrooms and changing rooms "by simply saying they identify as a woman," the writer said: "Yes, but now hundreds of trans activists have threatened to beat, rape, assassinate and bomb me I've realised that this movement poses no risk to women whatsoever."

On Sunday, Rowling hit back at another Twitter user, who accused the star of ignoring "porn tweeted at children" in her posts.

Defending herself, Rowling wrote: "I'll give you a moment to think hard about leaving that up. I reported every bit of porn so-called trans allies tweeted into Twitter threads where children were sending me artwork for the Ickabog. I didn't respond or retweet it because I didn't want more kids to see it."

"I'm not sure how these tactics—using porn as a weapon against women you dislike, not caring that children get caught in the crossfire and then misrepresenting what really happened—are supposed to help trans people," she continued.

"Nor do I see how what you've done here helps correct the impression that the end game for you & your ilk is to intimidate women out of speaking up for our own rights, no matter how low you have to go to do it," Rowling concluded.

In an essay published on her personal website in June 2020, Rowling faced backlash after sharing some of her views on transgender issues.

She wrote: "When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he's a woman—and, as I've said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones—then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth."

Earlier in in June 2020, Rowling took umbrage at an article that referred to "people who menstruate," responding in a tweet: "I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

Since the star expressed her stance, some trans activists have branded Rowling a "TERF"—an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist.

Amid the criticism, Rowling tweeted: "If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth."

"I respect every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them," she added. "I'd march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it's hateful to say so."

Her views have divided fans and co-workers, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who all starred in the big screen adaptations of her Harry Potter novels. Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne also spoke out against her statements.

"To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you," Radcliffe said in his statement in 2020. "I really hope that you don't entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you."

Newsweek has contacted representatives for J.K. Rowling and the National Center for Transgender Equality for comment.