JK Rowling's has written another post

[MilleniumHallsWalledGarden]

calling once more for a more nuanced debate around gender identity and women's rights. It's here https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/statement-from-j-k-rowling-regarding-the-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-ripple-of-hope-award/.

JKR

Quite disappointed in that times article actually. Too much of a focus on anti trans instead of pro women.

The more she speaks, the more she puts the activists behaviour to shame. She's been so classy and calm throughout all this. She hasn't hidden away or backed down.

We need more people with strong principles and integrity like her. If only those professionals that contacted her with their concerns spoke up publicly, I think this whole ideology ship would sink pretty damn fast. (Though I do understand why they're scared to speak up).

It does, Datun

It's also clearly proving to large swathes of the general public that the BBC are heavily biased, are trying to push a heavily spun narrative in a way that many may interpret as dishonest, and people are seeing through it.

It's surprising they're not aware of the harm they're doing to their own interests there.

She talks about the many messages of support she has received from women on this issue. What an icon.

@Datun

That's integrity for you.

And the inevitable revolting backlash she'll get just proves her point.

^This

Thanks JKR for your unwavering commitment to safety and integrity for everyone.

Mermaids have commented, including this: "J.K. Rowling’s blog goes on to say: ‘I believe the time is coming when those organisations and individuals who have uncritically embraced fashionable dogma, and demonised those urging caution, will have to answer for the harm they’ve enabled.’

Mermaids is not named and we must assume the author is referring to other groups unknown to us."

mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/a-call-to-j-k-rowling/

Mermaids have made another open statement to JKR

mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/a-call-to-j-k-rowling/

Without giving personal detail, without betraying confidences, we must represent the seriousness of the situation. We are aware through our work with families that there have been cases of self-harm and even attempted suicide following J.K.Rowling’s statements and the public response on social media and in the press. Surely this must cause us all to pause and question the way young trans lives are being debated in public.

I don't doubt that some children have been extremely distressed by recent events on social media and the press, but it isn't JKR that has caused that distress, it's the realisation that they have been deceived. Mermaids, you need to stop the lies and be honest with kids. You may believe it is possible for someone to change sex but it is not a widely held belief and has never been a scientific fact. As you say it is a serious situation so please stop the pretense now.

She's wonderful and the tide is turning towards common sense and biological reality.

Mermaids is not named and we must assume the author is referring to other groups unknown to us

That awkward moment....

We are aware through our work with families that there have been cases of self-harm and even attempted suicide following J.K.Rowling’s statements and the public response on social media and in the press.

How low can they sink?

If someone is self harming or attempting suicide over JKR talking about women's rights, they need serious mental health help, NOT bloody brainwashing. The ideology is what's causing harm, when are they going to open their stupid fucking eyes?

Doesn't that go against safeguarding advice too? I thought it was highly discouraged to link suicides/attempts to one issue, especially when dealing with children that are easily influenced.

Honestly, that Mermaids statement. Appalling.

@ThinEndoftheWedge

Anyone else notice the change in language on the Radio 2 news bulletins at 10, 11, 12 where they said something like JKR had been criticized for "speaking out in support of women's rights"? By the 1pm bulletin, it was it was that JKR was "speaking about trans and gender issues". Nobbled from above or by lobbying?

6.30 R4 News summary stated trans and gender identity - kept repeating that it was to do with JKr’s ‘controversial’ views on trans issues. No
mention that these views are not controversial to 99% of the population and based on reality.

The word woman came up once when it referenced JKR’s tweet that only women menstruate. Hopefully that bit will prick listeners ears.

I do not trust the BBC at all.

That's the thing, isn't it? This isn't about trans rights.

There is no right to expose your penis in a room dedicated to women's changing. There is a right for women to change in a room free of penises. No male has a right to compete in sports against women in single sex categories. Women atheletes DO have a right to single sex competition. And so on.

The whole media framing of this is a lie. Nobody sensible or decent opposes the right of trans people to live free of abuse, discrimination, harassment or harm. Refusing male people access to single sex women's spaces, or women's sport, is none of those things. It is an abuse, discriminatory, harassing and harmful to women to force that upon us without our consent.

This is a fundamental women's rights issue. Silencing anyone pointing that out is part of why the whole thing is so misogynist.

And as for the medical transing of children - it's straightforwardly wicked. Of course kids who think they may be trans should be treated respectfully and sympathetically, and with an open mind. But harmful drugs? Extensive cosmetic surgery? For minors? What the hell is wrong with anyone who thinks that remotely defensible?

JK Rowling is wonderful. Her courage, calmness and resilience in the face of this, and determination to live the feminism she claims, is so heartening.

Mermaids response isn't even trying to address what Jo Rowling said. They know when they attempt the factual stuff, they are very easily refuted. That statement is pure emotional manipulation - they are the champions of the voiceless, standing against the faceless, cruel anti trans hordes who care nothing for children and young people, led by the rich and powerful.

It would be laughable if it weren't so despicable.

Feels like one step forward , one step back when even local press twitter accounts retweet statements like this:

The Kennedy’s have very little respect for women. Not surprising they would hop in bed with people who despise women.

I stand with JKR. She is a brave voice in the wilderness.

Oh for crying out loud.

Because you couldn't just be the sex you are and play with robots? The only possible options are believing you are the opposite sex or not playing with the toys you like? Yep, sounds like Susie Green's mindset alright.

The emotional blackmail is disgusting. Be kind and blindly agree with us else we'll try and kill ourselves.

Many women I know have abusive exes that loved that tactic...

Comments on the Times article are really heartening. Thank you JK Rowling

Doesn't that go against safeguarding advice too? I thought it was highly discouraged to link suicides/attempts to one issue, especially when dealing with children that are easily influenced.

It does, and it is.

There's a proven link between telling people, especially adolescents, that they're at increased risk of suicide, and suicidal ideation. And Mermaids, by definition, deal with a really vulnerable cohort.

That Mermaids statement is beyond irresponsible and goes against all guidance on how to discuss suicide and self-harm topics.
It's time to pull the plug on this batshit organisation, but how? The Charity Commission doesn't give a toss as long as they submit their financial statements on time.

But, please, charity commission, I urge you to take Mermaids offer eagerly, and subject them to all possible scrutiny for their behaviour. I'd particularly like you to look at their misinformation on chats with under 18s and coaching on their forums, and their relationship with GenderGP, an overseas cowboy outfit run by discredited medics prescribing blocking and hormone medication to children with barely a Skype call. All haste, please, before any more vulnerable children and young people are irreversibly damaged because they liked the 'wrong' toys.

If someone is self harming or attempting suicide over JKR talking about women's rights,

Which, let's remember, was points like biology exists, female people need to be able to talk about it

they need serious mental health help

I agree. The onus needs to be on the person who finds reality too distressing, not to compel all females to never talk about their needs and rights and reality as too distressing for others.

As The Times article pointed out yesterday, this is in the territory now of coercing people to pretend to believe and to say things they know to not be the truth. This is morally wrong.

As part of that email, we have disclosed something we hoped never to say. We say it now with permission from those involved. Without giving personal detail, without betraying confidences, we must represent the seriousness of the situation. We are aware through our work with families that there have been cases of self-harm and even attempted suicide following J.K.Rowling’s statements and the public response on social media and in the press. Surely this must cause us all to pause and question the way young trans lives are being debated in public.

We didn't want to have to go against the advice of safeguarding and mental health experts, who say that suicide, particularly suicide of young vulnerable people, should never be discussed in this way. But you made us do it. LOOK WHAT YOU MADE US DO

Telling women that standing up for their LEGAL rights is driving children to suicide?

Dear God, there is rattled, and then there is beyond anything manipulation.

I agree. The onus needs to be on the person who finds reality too distressing, not to compel all females to never talk about their needs and rights and reality as too distressing for others.

Exactly. This is wrapping them in cotton wool and expecting the rest of the world to play along so the kids don't hear something contrary to what they've been led to believe. We'd never be expected to do this for any other demographic.

These children need honesty, not false expectations. That's what's causing the damage. They're going to grow up unable to cope with the harsh realities of the real world if this continues. Emotionally stunted :(