To think JK Rowling is a fabulous human being

[TheAdventuresoftheWishingChair]

I just came across her book, 'Very Good Lives' which is all about overcoming adversity. I think it's so important that successful women talk about the times they've failed and how success is about pushing past that. I'm reading it just at a time I need to hear that message. I can definitely recommend buying a copy if you are in need of a boost or have some pennies to spend on something nourishing.

I was also looking into her charity, Lumos, and I had no idea just how much she was trying to help disadvantaged children. I love that she's putting her money and position to good use.

The term 'national treasure' generally makes me want to poke my own eyeballs out with a rusty kitchen utensil but AIBU to say she is an utter treasure and we are lucky to have her. She makes the world a better place.

That's all!

I thought “ A Casual Vacancy” was crap. Good for a door stop. Available at any charity shop for 10p.

for her stance on Trans women

It’s not particularly about trans women though. Many trans men have said they don’t wish to be referred to as women, even if they do menstruate.

JK Rowling stood up for women and reality. She is a woman of courage and she spoke up just at the right time. Bless her!

@zscaler
I’ve never been so let down by anyone in my life. Ten years ago I thought she was wonderful. I still think she has done many wonderful things. But between the transphobia, the antisemitism, the subliminal racism and the attempts to gain credit for retconning into her novels diversity that was never there when she wrote them, she has single handedly dismantled her own legacy in my opinion
Have seen your really good points on the racist threads and have to agree.
NOT saying she's racist in any way as no idea where she stands there.
I do know though the tweets I've been seeing lately and the "gaying" of characters, WTF is that all about?!
Was never mentioned in the books or the films, more like just an afterthought.

Forgot to add love Harry Potter books and like the films too. (Although the books rule)

Many trans men have said they don’t wish to be referred to as women, even if they do menstruate.

However, the consequences of lack of adequate resources to deal with menstruation affect women as a group, regardless of whether they are currently menstruating. If your education has been disrupted by periods the impact doesn't vanish just because you reach menopause. Words like 'menstruator' deliberately attempt to minimise recognition of the impact of sex.

But between the transphobia

All she has done is insist that the impact of sex be recognised. That is not transphobic.

the antisemitism, the subliminal racism

There is no reason for you to like the books - people like different things, but if you think her books are antisemitic or racist it's difficult to understand why you liked her 10 years ago.

Just seen Ginny Wesley's come out and tweeted too

*Weasley"even

And precisely none of them will be able to explain what 'TWAW' means.

Who's they?

I really wanted to message her today to tell her how bloody brilliant she is. I hope you read Mumsnet Jo, you are a bloody legend x

Who's they?

Specifically Redmayne, Radcliffe, Watson and Wright.

Although to be fair, nobody has ever been able to explain what 'TWAW' means. Can you?

@merrymouse because ten years ago I was young, and very ignorant. I’m not saying it’s an excuse, but I didn’t know then what I know now. My opinion has been changed by reading accounts from black people, Jewish people, gay people and people of colour who feel excluded and marginalised and victimised by the books.

And, shamefully, even when I started to read these accounts, I defended JKR against them to begin with. I found it so hard to let go of my all time favourite books. I made excuses for her, I closed my eyes to what was being said because I found it painful and I didn’t want to accept it.

But, I know better now.

the jewish people i know - inc me- are big fans of jkr but if you want to be angry at her on our behalf

That essay

I mean, no tiny violins from me, but the fact that her response to all the vitriol and howling is to share such a private and harrowing story is humbling.

I couldn't admire her more.

Also, I agree the fuck out of her.

Nobody on the planet is 'victimised' by books.

My opinion has been changed by reading accounts from black people, Jewish people, gay people and people of colour who feel excluded and marginalised and victimised by the books.

But you appear deaf to people who say their lives are severely restricted without access to single sex spaces - not that all spaces should be single sex, just that they need the option to use single sex spaces when they are vulnerable e.g. in a state of undress. Why do you find it so easy to dismiss their concerns?

@merrymouse where did I say anything of the kind?

She is. Totally fearless. And right.

Look at the go to insults being used by the people throwing tantrums at Rowling on Twitter. It's all "suck my cock, you cunt, your p*ssy stinks". It's 100 pure concentrated misogynistic rage set off by the fact that this one time they aren't able to shut a woman up.

medium.com/@rebeccarc/j-k-rowling-and-the-trans-activists-a-story-in-screenshots-78e01dca68d

She's intelligent and compassionate and talented and generally wonderful, and that clearly makes some people very, very angry. Those people should take a good look in the mirror, preferably mid rant to get the best possible sense of how they look to others right now.

Can I self identify as an employee then and get furlough money? Facts are facts. We cannot change them.

J K Rowling is very sensible. Also none of us want to be nasty to people who have had a sex change and changed sex under English law as it currently is (and thankfully the Government decided not to change it). Once that process is done,the penis is removed etc and you have your gender change cert then bob's your uncle. People will mostly accept it. None of us want to unkind to these people and many of them have mental health issues too . However most women are not trans and we need to protect that group - the bigger group - from harm as that is the greater good.

zscaler, when you called her comments transphobic.

She has only commented on sex and the need for words that define sex.

This thread is attracting the wokebeards, as I'm sure you anticipated, but don't let that dissuade you OP. I'd put money on 100% of genuine MNers, or near enough, agreeing with you, and I'm one of them.

Removal of the penis is not a requirement to get a gender recognition certificate. Just thought I'd point that out as a lot of people seem to assume that it is. You can have a fully working penis and have used it to father multiple children and still be granted a gender recognition certificate.