J.K. Rowling Supported by Lawmakers in Transgender Rape Debate

Author J.K. Rowling has received support from British lawmakers after sharing her thoughts on another issue regarding transgender people.

On Sunday, the Harry Potter writer expressed her opposition to proposed laws, in which police in Scotland have said that they will "record rapes by offenders with male genitalia as being committed by a woman if the attacker 'identifies as a female.'"

Taking to Twitter to quote an article from The Times in the U.K.—titled "'Absurdity' of police logging rapists as women," Rowling wrote: "War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength. The Penised Individual Who Raped You Is a Woman."

While Rowling has faced backlash for other comments made about transgender women in the past, she has received some high profile support in the U.K. for her stance, as "#IStandWithJKRowling" trended on Twitter.

Joanna Cherry, a Scottish National Party Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South West voiced her support for Rowling, saying that any "responsible politician" should also be standing against such a legislative proposal.

Cherry tweeted: "As someone who prosecuted rape for years I don't find the idea that women should object to having to pretend that the man who violated them is a woman remotely amusing. Nor should any responsible politician. #IStandWithJKRowling."

Murdo Fraser, Member of Scottish Parliament for Mid-Scotland & Fife, also waded into the conversation as he expressed similar sentiments.

"Even in today's confusing morality, the choice between siding with @jk_rowling or with rapists would seem to be a simple one, wouldn't you think?" Fraser wrote, also adding the hashtag "#IStandWithJKRowling."

While Rowling faced criticism for her tweet on the issue, she received support from a number of conservative figures, including Jenna Ellis, a former attorney for erstwhile President Donald Trump, and political commentators Ian Miles Cheong and Lauren Chen.

In an essay published on her personal website in June 2020, Rowling shared 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."

Also in June 2020, Rowling reacted to an article that referred to "people who menstruate," tweeting: "I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

While some trans activists branded Rowling a "TERF"—an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist—she stood her ground on the issue.

Rowling tweeted at the time: "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 went on. "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."

In July of this year, Rowling stated on Twitter that she had received a "pipebomb" threat amid an onslaught of attacks over her previous statements about trans women.