A response to JK Rowling

[Hjft]

J.K. Rowling, like so many others, has recently been accused of transphobia and targeted for expressing some of her opinions on sex and gender. This is a very nuanced issue which many people struggle with, including members of the trans community. Assuming bigotry and shutting down debate is not the way to address these issues. Instead we should engage in reasoned debate in order to better understand the subtitles and find a way to live together with mutual respect.

On 10 June 2020 JK Rowling wrote about her reasons for speaking out on sex and gender Issues ( www.jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/ ) . It is a welcome calm voice in what she calls a toxic environment and I commend her bravery for standing up to the bullies. The essay explains eloquently what she believes and why she holds the opinions she does. She opens up about some very personal issues, and I hope all her detractors will read it before shouting her down.

An essay, however well written, carries a bias, and a reasonable author will recognise that bias and be willing to consider that they could be wrong. And so should the reader of an essay. By writing this essay, JK Rowling has exposed some very valid points which the other side of the debate wish to brush aside. However, she has also indicated a bias which I hope to address.

She conflates sex and gender, and she conflates the law and medicine. Firstly she worries that trans activism is ‘pushing to erode the legal definition of sex and replace it with gender’. This legal definition is for the protection of the civil rights of trans people and has no bearing on biology. Trans people still receive healthcare appropriate to their individual biological truths. Every trans person is acutely aware of their biological sex because it is incongruous with their gender. Remember when Harry Potter uses Polyjuice potion to take on the form of Goyle in ‘Chamber of secrets”. He does not stop being Harry. Now imagine if Harry had got stuck, and had to live his life with everyone believing he was Goyle. It would be intolerable for him and would likely lead to mental illness or worse. This is what it’s like for trans people, and why the law is in place to protect their right to be their authentic selves. Being Harry is ‘not a costume’.

This conflation is further illustrated when she expresses alarm that ‘A man who intends to have no surgery and take no hormones may now secure himself a Gender Recognition Certificate and be a woman in the sight of the law’. Again, this demonstrates a conflation of law and medicine. If a trans person can find relief from their gender dysphoria by permanently expressing themselves in an authentic manner then why should we expect them to accept medical intervention in order to get legal protection. Imagine you have a migraine. If sitting in a dark room with a glass of water provides you with sufficient relief, then you shouldn’t be expected to take strong pain killers or accept brain surgery. The ‘man’ she describes is not masquerading as a woman - she is living her authentic identity as a woman. The law protects her rights to do so. She is not a predator, and it should not be assumed that she is. Without these rights, her transgender status would be revealed every time she tries to hire a car, or open a bank account, and it is her safety that is in danger. A man masquerading as a woman is not able to legally get a Gender Recognition Certificate - because they are a man.

[redacted*] I hope JK Rowling’s essay will mark a turning point in the tone of these discussions, and people can start to properly address them.

• [edited by MNHQ to remove inflammatory content - we're allowing the challenges to this section of the OP to remain]

Some of the commentary about penises being weapons, like men /trans people being predators etc. Abuse is not gendered. The view already assumes a sexist slant, there are female predators & abusers just as there are male. I don't like the ridiculous assumption that someone would go through the lengths of gender transition (in whatever form) to give themselves access to abusing people. Like that is the easiest way to abuse someone?! This is extreme. Rape for example, happens just as frequently in womens prisons as it does male, it's just doesn't get recognised as much.
I don't honestly know what jk Rowling is saying now, but whenever she speaks about this issue I just feel like she's attention grabbing & her views are obviously offensive to the trans community given the shit storm she's invited from Twitter & other online platforms she targets.
Love that at least 3 well known actors including Emma Watson have stepped up publicly & spoken out about Rowlings assertions though.

I always find it instructive to compare the attitude of e.g. Stonewall to who can go unsupervised into the ladies' lavs ('anyone who says there are a woman') to the attitude of e.g. the county council to who can go semi-supervised into a school ('anyone who says they're not a child molester... Oh, wait, no, we need some evidence of that, we need a police check and a form...') This is not to suggest that transwomen are predators, but it is sure as hell to suggest that predators will take advantage of any chink they can squeeze through.

So, I am not in favour of mixed toilets or GRCs dished out on the nod.

Plus, a large subsection of men consists of minging bastards who seem to regard it as their right to get piss all over the floor.

Chocolate50, it's probably time you acquainted yourself with the stats about which biological sex commits the most violent and sexual crimes. Coz those stats sure as hell show a gender bias.

Abuse is not gendered.

Stats please to back up this assertion.

@Chocolate50

What’s wrong with having women only spaces and gender neutral spaces? If most women are comfortable in shared spaces then most women will use them, alongside men and transwomen. Problem solved. And at little expense as the men’s facilities can simply be fumigated and the urinals replaced with an extra cubicle.

Job done and no fuss.

Nobody would ever go the lengths of becoming a priest to get access to victims. Oh wait, abusers did, a lot.

Nobody would ever have gone to the lengths of becoming a teacher to get access to victims. Oh wait, we had to bring in loads of safeguarding rules because there was a lot of this in the past.

Nobody would get into a long term relationship, even marriage with a single mum just to get access to her kids to sexually abuse them. Oh wait, yes they do. A lot. We know the signs.

Do you really think sex attackers only take the easy lazy route?

There is considerable evidence they are seriously manipulative, devious and plan far far ahead.

There is a lot of material out there on the topic you could read and learn.

And changing rooms are even easier. Probably don’t need fumigating first.

Why isn’t this a solution? Is it because men would object? They might have to queue? Would it be inconvenient for them? Well that will happen if we eradicate single sex spaces anyway. Nobody has given a good reason why this cannot be a solution. Transwomen and transmen and women who choose to and men can use shared spaces. And women who choose not to can use the single sex spaces created to be penis free and allow them to feel safe instead. As the law intended. Let the women who want to be human shields protect their trans sisters. Transwomen are losing nothing as they would never have access to women only spaces anyway, as everywhere will become gender neutral otherwise. So it’s a dog in a manger attitude to object to women retaining something they currently have when transwomen wouldn’t have it anyway. Let’s see some generosity of spirit from men and from the trans community. I doubt many transmen would object to this approach. So who is objecting?

medium.com/@june.tuesday/jk-rowling-and-the-reasonable-bigotry-43bc2c6d3c2b

Interesting article which to me is best take yet.

The view already assumes a sexist slant, there are female predators & abusers just as there are male.

Your life must be terrifying. Only 5% of the prison population is female, and of that group 82% have committed a non-violent crime. I can only assume you think the streets are overrun with violent female criminals who will never be brought to justice.

I don't like the ridiculous assumption that someone would go through the lengths of gender transition (in whatever form) to give themselves access to abusing people.

What makes you think you would have to undergo any kind of transition process?

Can you not also understand that many women would not be able to use a space like a refuge if they thought any man was present? My spaniel is lovely, but I don't let him run up to strangers, because I understand that some people find any dog distressing, even if logically they don't think my dog will attack them.

In 2018, the total UK prison population was 83,618 (0.126% of the population),

79,749 men and
3,869 women

Nearly 14,000 of the men, 18% of the male prison population, are in for sexual offences.

My data is from the Office of National Statistics.

Where is yours from chocolate?

Just love this article. Gives a fully thought out view of why jk Rowling's view is not shared by everyone..
medium.com/@june.tuesday/jk-rowling-and-the-reasonable-bigotry-43bc2c6d3c2b

Plop, plop, plop.

Rape for example, happens just as frequently in womens prisons as it does male, it's just doesn't get recognised as much.

It really doesn't because the definition of rape in UK law is very specific....

Rape is a statutory offence in England and Wales. The offence is created by section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003: (1) A person (A) commits an offence if— (a) he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis, (b) B does not consent to the penetration, and.

If you meant sexual assault then I think you need to provide some stats.

Chocolate, that article misses the point to a spectacular degree.

But trans people have lived and existed for millennia, and same-sex attraction remains. The lived reality of women remains. The ability for women to meaningfully discuss their lives remains. To imply that a large subset of trans people are trying to ‘undo sex’ is not the truth.

Women and gay people aren't concerned that they will cease to exist without legal recognition of sex. They are concerned that they won't have the language and legislation they need to protect their rights.

@Chocolate1984Some of the commentary about penises being weapons

That comes from the trans community itself. See responses to JK. “Suck my lady dick” and multiple versions of same. they see their penises as weapons.

Women don’t threaten physical violence with their penises.

That medium article ends

But mostly, I’m worried about what will happen when she continues to fund woman-centred and feminist causes. Those causes will be trying to write their policy amongst a cacophony of UK-wide bigotry. I’m worried that they won’t know how to distinguish between the actual needs of trans people and the untruths propagated by the British media.
What are those places going to do when the concerns of the billionaire funding them sound completely reasonable?^

General theme of the piece is I want, I am tired of women saying no, give me what I want, women are going to get raped anyway so you might as well so away with single sex spaces they don't help.

The author realises JKR sounds reasonable and that's upsetting to the author. He references some her likes and plot lines as evidence that she is secretly a big hateful plot leading meanie.

It is indeed a very telling piece. So many red flags of the abusive male all in one place.

@TorkTorkBam actually I don't really believe that stats are always reliable. I really don't. I think that a lot of offenses in or out of female only spaces including prisons, schools etc go unreported. And yes I really think that stats rely on reporting of incidents by those targeted, or those in positions of power, and the interpretation of incidents is also invalidated or misinterpreted. It doesn't mean just because the 'stats say' that it isn't happening.

Trans people aren't more likely to abuse than any other group. They're probably just a bit sick of being targeted as if they've somehow more dangerous or more likely to be.

And during those millennia young vulnerable girls weren’t being persuaded that they are really boys and given irreversible hormone treatment they will likely later regret, destroying their fertility.

Trans people aren't more likely to abuse than any other group. They're probably just a bit sick of being targeted as if they've somehow more dangerous or more likely to be

Maybe not responding with penis based threats to twitter threads might make that more believable?

It doesn’t matter how “woman” the feel, their first response is to refer to their penises and how they are going to use them to silence natal women...

To imply that a large subset of trans people are trying to ‘undo sex’ is not the truth.
A quick look at the pressures put upon sporting bodies shows this to be untrue. They are being heavily pressured to let men take part in women's events and have allowed it. Women's event medals have been awarded to men who identify as women. That's a significant real world effect of attempts to undo sex and one that hurts women but not men.

@Chocolate50
But JK Rowling has explicitly said she believes transwomen are not a risk to women. It’s predatory men who are the risk. But if all men, including transwomen, don’t stay out of women’s spaces then women will be more vulnerable. Transmen tend to stay out of women’s spaces partly for this reason but return to them when they are at greatest risk - i.e. if sent into male prisons. Women don’t object to trans people sharing their spaces - but it’s transmen who are welcome, not transwomen. Men should welcome and protect transwomen. If they don’t that is the problem that needs addressing and gender neutral spaces seem sensible as a solution, alongside women only spaces. And I’m sure if Hermione and Ginny are ever imprisoned they will volunteer to go to the gender neutral prison with the transwomen and transmen. I wonder who else would volunteer to go there? And it’s transmen (ie women) who would lose most in that scenario.

Abuse is not gendered. The view already assumes a sexist slant, there are female predators & abusers just as there are male.

@Chocolate50 that is bollocks (and I mean that as a totally sexed term).

Males commit something like 98% of sexual crimes - you can check the ONS figures.

Abuse and violence is both sexed and gendered. Masculinity is shored up on violence. Non-violent men (the majority) still are advantaged by violent masculinity in the added freedoms it gives them. And the implicit social control of women - the way women live with a sense of constant underlying fear of violence. It's minor for most women, but it's there.

And then there's the "usual" behaviour of many/most men in all sorts of personal ad social interactions - interrupting, talking over women, taking up more space in public ad private, assuming housework is not their responsibility - the list goes. This behaviour is the regular display of male dominance.

I've just read and re-read that medium.com article linked to by chocolate - it's full of disingenuities and pitiful 'gotchas' comprising things very deliberately taken out of context.

It's really not very good.

@bluebluezoo but now you are using a few tweets to characterise a whole group of people? Which is unrealistic. There you've said 'they' as if this group is separated from the rest of the world. This is the way that racist people talk about other race 'they do this, they are like that'. It's a very unhelpful narrative.
In the same way as you are characterising women to think this or that.
As a woman (& I speak for myself only) I don't feel threatened by going into a mixed toilet. A lot of educational facilities now offer these as standard and there is a reason for this, because there is a need and because the world is progressing in this way.

So chocolate50, what are your experiences based on, if not stats (which tend to show patterns of offending in line with sex rather that gender). Many of those trans women in jail have been accused of sexual offences - those offenders currently have to be housed in a third space due to the Karen white issue. Is this somehow "dehumanising" for them, or just a sensible measure to recognise that they want to live differently to men, but cannot be put with women for women's own protection?