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!

This transparent attempt to get people to unknowingly or knowingly praise someone who has just now openly stated her anti-trans stance is really gross.

i.e. she doesn't toe the party line on every subject.. Why are so many people opposed to free speech?

Are you having a barbecue?

It's amazing that people can use the most hateful threatening language against women and it gets shrugged off, but this

“I respect every trans persons right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. 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.”

is "literal violence" and has trans people and allies fearing for their lives... Yeah OK...

How many TRAs abandoned the Labour Party under Corbyn when he was accused of anti-Semitism? Or even accused him of anti-Semitism? Very few is my guess because he was also supporting their cause and fucking over women in the process.

Jewish people know when people are being anti-Semitic. We have enough day to day experience to know what it feels like. I stand with JK Rowling. I’ve read all her books and have never for one moment felt she was anti-Semitic. You equating banking goblins with hooked noses to Jews feels closer to anti semitism. I stand with JK Rowling.

”using her huge platform of followers to promote ideas which endanger the lives and wellbeing of trans people is pretty disgusting.”

Biological sex isn’t an “idea”.

She's absolutely right though. Only women and girls menstruate.

It's not that hard to understand.

Men who identify as women don't menstruate.

Women who identify as men do.

People need to explain why they claim that is a transphobic statement instead of getting their knickers in a twist and shouting nonsense.

Women need a word to describe them. They have a word. It's not for anyone else to take that away from them.

Stop being so bigoted against women and start talking.

As you would say, do better.

Individuals attributed with MRHK syndrome

MRHK syndrome is something which only effects females. So not a third sex.

Individuals attributed with MRHK syndrome

Again not a third sex. MRHK syndrome only affects males.

individuals who are intersex.

Intersex people are still either male or female.

For the people asking for evidence of JD attacking AH - www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/4639763002

From the article:

‘She attached multiple pages of photos of herself with bruises on her face, scars on her arms and hair allegedly torn from her head, plus pictures of wrecked rooms – broken glass and overturned furniture – that she says Depp inflicted on their home. She included screenshots of dozens of text messages describing these incidents at the time, and excerpts of her divorce deposition describing shocking abuse.’

No doubt AH was abusive too, and she should be condemned for that. Doesn’t make it ok that JD hit her. Both deserve condemnation for what they did.

Well said Frog.

I am not sure I would ever choose to be a public figure however as the criticism is awful for all of them from the Prime Minster downwards. It is not really worth it. If I were I would keep off twitter too as I think you lose more than you gain. Despite that view I support the rights of everyone to have freedom of speech.

I have to say though that I do find it slightly amusing when people insist that there are more than two sexes or there are variations and then go on to talk about medical conditions that only occur in either men or women. You would think the fact they only affect one sex would prove that there are in fact only two sexes.

I love her. I’m pleased she cares about children and stands up to bullies.

TRAs are spookily similar to MRAs, they just need women to shut the hell up and stop demanding stuff (like equality or freedom from violence). The idea of women having opinions, rights, freedoms disturbs them greatly, they see it as assault.

How does believing that women should be able to name the reason for their oppression- their biological sex, make one anti trans ?

Unless you believe that being pro trans rights means that women shouldn’t have any of their own rights. But that can’t be right surely no one actually thinks that women shouldn’t be allowed their sex based rights as defined by law ??

She's amazing.

So glad she came out and took a stand in favour of women and girls and freedom of speech and rationality.

TRAs are spookily similar to MRAs

I have been saying that for years.

@sunshinesupermum you’re welcome to have a different interpretation, but to me it is very clear cut. This article is a good illustration: www.popdust.com/gringotts-warner-bros-2627451691.html

It takes a more generous approach than me and views JKR as oblivious to the harmful stereotypes she draws upon in ignorance. I don’t think somebody who spent as much time on detailed world building as JKR would actually be that oblivious, but even if she was - intention is far less important than action.

I am sure she is, but I prefer - with all good intentions - to think of the good human beings who volunteer without any acclaim at thousands upon thousands of community, church and other events and organisations up and down the country.

Goblins being greedy, particularly in respect of treasure and gold, was not an invention by JKR. It's a pretty well established part of fairy lore. They're also historically known as tricksters, and being mischievous and untrustworthy.

House elves are very much the same. They're based on hobs/brownies. Wanting to work and feeling like they have failed or been expelled for receiving clothing is part of that.

She's taken well known fairy folklore that goes back to the 13th century or so and tweaked it to fit into her world like many, many other fantasy authors have done over the years. If you immediately jump to anti-demotion or racism based on her use

The worst crime she's committed is perhaps not thinking that some people twenty years after the books were written may apply their own modern interpretation of her intentions to her writing.

Yeah, it's right to say that there's genetic variation - humans do not exist in the XX / XY chromosome binary. Likewise there is huge variation in genitalia and the arrangement of reproductive systems. However it still takes a sperm and an egg. Depending on the nature of the DSD, reproduction is interrupted if these are not present / functioning. Therefore I can't see how it's wrong to argue that we are dimorphic for the purposes of reproduction.

Since it's female reproductive systems that trigger some forms of oppression (e.g. FGM) I can't see whay it's hateful to articulate the significance of female sexed bodies.

@Herecomestreble1

Some examples of sexes that don't conform to normative categorisation:

• Individuals attributed with MRHK syndrome
• individuals attributed with PMDS syndrome
• individuals who are intersex.

I understand that amongst this group, my beliefs in trans rights will still sadly be largely argued with. I just wanted to enlighten you to that fact that biologically there are nuances, and that if you identify as a woman but do not menustrate, that doesn't in my eyes and the eyes of many other individuals mean you are not a woman.

Women with MRHK have XX chromosomes.

Men with PMDS have XY chromosomes.

I imagine people who are termed intersex also have either XX or XY chromosomes.

Sigh. Posted too soon.

• She's taken well known fairy folklore that goes back to the 13th century or so and tweaked it to fit into her world like many, many other fantasy authors have done over the years. If you immediately jump to anti-semitism or racism based on her use of these tropes I'm genuinely surprised I haven't seen the same condemnation of other fantasy authors that has used them too.

I am bowing out now (it’s my birthday and I have already spent too long on this thread!) but I really do encourage people to read the articles I have posted and at least think about them. If they make you feel defensive and uncomfortable, lean into those feelings! That’s how we learn and grow!

And if you won’t read any of the other articles, at least read this - partly because it’s funny and brilliant, but also because it will help explain why it’s so hard to hear negative things about the people we idolise.

theoatmeal.com/comics/believe

I have to say though that I do find it slightly amusing when people insist that there are more than two sexes or there are variations and then go on to talk about medical conditions that only occur in either men or women.

Also striking that despite the existence of all these different sexes, it has proved so easy to identify exactly which sex shouldn't be allowed to vote, drive cars, have a separate legal identity or access an education.

I think she's great.

I cannot quite believe we live in a world where declaring that only women menstruate is seen as bigotry.