English teacher tells class that JKR is transphobic

[QpopTYUIop9]

Just that really.
I'm absolutely fuming.
30 kids now "hate" JKR apparently.
This is an abuse of influence surely, not to mention a worrying lack of critical thinking.
I've printed out the "transphobic" tweets so my Y7 child can make up their own mind. With a lot of ranting from me in the background .

[SunbeamRapier]

Yes. From what I know, most trans women have mums, sisters, female friends, colleagues who think nothing of it. The posts on here say things like “do women not have a say blah blah” as if all women are of the same Mumsnet view that trans women should not be treated as women. Which isn’t the case. It really isn’t. In the scheme of things there are hardly any trans people in the world. But it gets flammed up that 1% will wipe out planet Earth’s women and lesbians. Will lurk in toilets waiting to attack. Really? I mean really? Where are all these bad trans people? (Cue cherry picked internet cases from some hillbilly state in 1996). I think there’s even a website calked Trans People Who Kill. Honestly, it’s nuts. Hysteria.

[SunbeamRapier]

Read it too. Killer dresses as woman to attack. Written by an author who in real life believes that bad men will dress as women to attack. Transphobic.

[Ereshkigalangcleg]

U.K. polling shows that the majority of people are happy to live and let live up to a point. They will agree that TWAW, as a concept.

However:

They don't support making gender/sex self ID easier to obtain in terms of removing medical oversight

They don't support males in women's sports

They don't support intact male bodies in female spaces such as toilets and changing rooms

[GreenTeaPingPong]

@SunbeamRapier

Te Silence of the Lambs: But I don’t think Thomas Harris had spent the two previous years warning that trans people were dangerous.
It’s a bit like Nigel Farage writing a fictional book where an illegal immigrant crosses the channel on a dinghy before going on a killing spree.

Have you read the JKR's book Troubled Blood? It's not a book about a trans serial killer, that's a complete misrepresentation, based on one misleading review in a newspaper.

Please read her long, thoughtful, honest and intelligent essay explaining her position, including her respect for and friendship with trans people.

[WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo]

In the scheme of things there are hardly any trans people in the world. But it gets flammed up that 1% will wipe out planet Earth’s women and lesbians.
So why are we changing the very meaning of words if its only 1% of people who are trans? 50% (ish) of the worlds population lose the word that describes them (woman) to appease 1% of the population. That doesn't make sense to me.
And who said they were going to wipe out planet earth's women ffs. Talk about exaggerating!

[SunbeamRapier]

Plenty of stories saying lesbians are being wiped out. And I agree! “Talk about exaggeration.”
One thing you’ve just mentioned which I have always been curious about is the size of the trans population - because the goalposts seem to move, depending on the subject.
For instance: “Why are we changing language for the 1%.” So in this scenario, trans numbers are so small they don’t warrant any significance.

But if the debate is about risk to other women, or trans kids seeking medical help, it becomes a big number. Usually presented as a percentage, because if something goes from 10 to 20 it’s a “100-per-cent rise in ...”

Then there’s the other phrase I’ve noticed. Sudden Onset Gender Dysphoria (Sorry if got that wrong)

Is it sudden because it’s come from a kid who hasn’t mentioned it before? Like a gay person previously perceived as straight coming out. Is that sudden onset gay?

[Ereshkigalangcleg]

You: Sure do get worked up by 1% (at best) of the world population.

You were the one who said 1% wasn't a significant number. Convenient goalpost moving.

[StrangeLookingParasite]

and written a book on the back or her previous warnings where the serial killer dresses as a woman.

I don't believe you have read that book, because that is simply a lie. Did someone tell you that, and you just believed them?

[SunbeamRapier]

I’m not moving the goalpost though. The trans population is 1% at most. Tiny. Sticking to it.

[Ereshkigalangcleg]

But if the debate is about risk to other women

Do you think literally every male who says "I am a woman" is a woman? If so, I'd love to know why.

[SunbeamRapier]

Bizarre! I read the full book the week it came out, and if you can’t see the stark (no pun intended) implication from one of the character’s background and mode of getting close to his victims, while bearing in mind what JK had been banging on about for two years, then you’re being disingenuous, in my opinion. The fact he’s not the big baddie is irrelevant. The message is there.

[WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo]

So have you got a link to these 2 years of "what JK had been banging on about" because Google isn't finding me anything.

[SunbeamRapier]

Your Google must be bust Phylis. Plenty pieces - including her big essay - saying she’s worried about womens safety due to trans people. But maybe you’re right. She hasn’t said anything offensive to trans individuals. Which begs the question: Why are they all offended? And why also do all those who talk solely in the negative about trans individual absolutely ❤️JK #IStandWithJK.
As I said in my opening post, you’re all very good at the never ending sementic argument tactics. Bigger appetite for it than me. When anyone defending trans people has to become a barrister. Expected to run back and forth to Google fetching evidence because - let’s be honest - trans and their supporters are in the dock. And you’re the judge and jury. But honestly? Your mind is made up.
Bid you good night (1:39am) x

[HeirloomTomato]

This is absolute gospel truth with the young folx now. I've had at least 3 separate students in 3 different classes announce to the class with great gravitas that 'JK Rowling is transphobic' and 'we don't stan transphobia' etc. /eyeroll/. As the teacher, I remain neutral because that's my job. I just nod and acknowledge it and say something bland like 'really? I hadn't heard.' Or 'is that so?'

It's not my job to tell students what to think but I am trying to teach them how to think. I do that as part of my lesson though, not my just announcing 'facts' to them and telling them to believe what I say. All good teachers should follow that guideline regardless of what our personal views are.

[Precipice]

"When anyone defending trans people has to become a barrister. Expected to run back and forth to Google fetching evidence" Don't worry, you'll find plenty of places where anyone defending women's spaces, homosexuals' rights to engage sexually only with those of the same sex, etc. is running the gauntlet at best and very often, heaped with personal abuse and deleted.

I am curious though about the 2 years. It's not even been a year since JKR's essay. When are you counting from, her Twitter likes? Not active or engaged enough to be a "banging on".

[Ereshkigalangcleg]

Well, if you want to convince people, evidence is often needed.

[ImpatiensI]

Which begs the question: why are they all offended?

They aren't all offended. Plenty of trans people have defended JKR.

[WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo]

Google brings up a lot of articles saying JKR is transphobic, but no actual articles of her being transphobic.

This is only part of her essay where she mentions trans women being allowed in women's spaces, and the way I read it is that she doesn't think transwomen are a danger to women. But that men will take advantage of self ID. And we know they will. Because they have.

I believe the majority of trans-identified people not only pose zero threat to others, but are vulnerable for all the reasons I’ve outlined. Trans people need and deserve protection. Like women, they’re most likely to be killed by sexual partners. Trans women who work in the sex industry, particularly trans women of colour, are at particular risk. Like every other domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor I know, I feel nothing but empathy and solidarity with trans women who’ve been abused by men.

So I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe. 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.

Oh and yes, she does refer the the "majority of trans identified people" rather than saying all trans identified people. But that's no different imo to me saying most men aren't rapists. But some are.

Any one who wants me to be on "their side" needs to provide evidence as to why. At the moment I'm on JKRs side. If anyone can provide evidence that I'm wrong then I'll hold my hands up.

[EdgeOfACoin]

@SunbeamRapier

Yes. From what I know, most trans women have mums, sisters, female friends, colleagues who think nothing of it. The posts on here say things like “do women not have a say blah blah” as if all women are of the same Mumsnet view that trans women should not be treated as women. Which isn’t the case. It really isn’t. In the scheme of things there are hardly any trans people in the world. But it gets flammed up that 1% will wipe out planet Earth’s women and lesbians. Will lurk in toilets waiting to attack. Really? I mean really? Where are all these bad trans people? (Cue cherry picked internet cases from some hillbilly state in 1996). I think there’s even a website calked Trans People Who Kill. Honestly, it’s nuts. Hysteria.

@SunbeamRapier

A recent example of a transwoman posing a risk to women? Will children do?

Because here's a case that was reported yesterday in Ireland. You'll need to read most of the article before you find out that the person involved is transgender. However, it is not a cherry-picked case from a 'hillbilly' state (pretty unkind wording, btw) in 1996.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.thejournal.ie/woman-jailed-criminal-court-5392090-Mar2021/%3famp=1

[sashh]

Read it too. Killer dresses as woman to attack. Written by an author who in real life believes that bad men will dress as women to attack. Transphobic.

Karen White.

OP

I think I would approach the school from the point of view that an English teacher doesn't know what the word 'transphobic' means. I'd be asking about their qualifications.

[allmywhat]

Read it too. Killer dresses as woman to attack. Written by an author who in real life believes that bad men will dress as women to attack. Transphobic.


20% of serial killers cross-dress. (People familiar with true crime literature might be surprised it’s thar low.) If Troubked Blood is “transphobic” then by the same logic so is reality.

[NotBadConsidering]

Killer does not dress a woman. Police officer recalling what happened 40 years ago describes how a serial killer got away on one occasion by wearing a “woman’s coat”. That is it. In the entire book.

Anyone claiming Troubled Blood contains transphobia hasn’t read it and/or has a defamatory agenda.

[CuthbertDibbleandGrubb]

@Ereshkigalangcleg the research you refer to does not surprise me. Very much as you describe about exceptions in certain places and circumstances.

[SunsetBeetch]

OP Kellie Jay mentioned you in her latest video. She's hapoy to send you some "I Love JKR" merchandise.

It's at about 9:20

[Helmetbymidnight]

Why are they all offended?

absolute rubbish sunbeam

why are you discounting the opinions of many many high profile transpeople: eddie izard, rose of dawn, debbie hayton, miranda yardley, buck angel, scott nugent,, fionne orlander who say that there is nothing transphobic in what she said.

why are you pretending there is unanimity here?

many transpeople see jkr as an ally - its the tra's and the mra's whp have such an issue with her.