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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

JKR Didn’t Have an Opinion. She Poisoned the Well

1000 replies

CSIRCP · 28/08/2025 14:32

This post will likely be a little too long for most, but if you can spare the time and have a cuppa handy let's sit down and have a chat, shall we?

Firstly, let’s stop calling this a debate. It’s not. This isn’t two sets of ideas clashing. This is one woman’s fear and confusion being weaponized against an entire community.

What J.K. Rowling has done is not just share an opinion. She’s poisoned the well. And that poison is spreading through politics, education, the media, and even the courts.

At the beginning, it might have looked like a tweet. Then a blog. But what she wrote in that essay was revealing: “If I’d been born thirty years later, I too might have tried to transition. The allure of escaping womanhood would have been huge.”
That’s not neutral. That’s projection. It was a confession, repackaged as concern. She projected her own dysphoria and personal battles onto the entire trans community and used it as the foundation for a movement built on suspicion and fear.

She said she cared about women’s rights. Then aligned herself with those who believe all trans women are predators.
She liked racist and Islamophobic tweets. She repeated antisemitic tropes. She cast activists as violent men in dresses. She accused anyone who challenged her of misogyny while branding herself the face of feminism.
All the while she built up a devoted audience that now includes some of the most extreme anti-trans voices in Britain and beyond.

This “gender critical” movement is not about safety, and it’s certainly not about truth. It’s about control.
Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (Posie Parker), one of Rowling’s ideological allies, has welcomed neo-Nazis to her rallies. Actual Nazis. The kind of people Rowling once wrote villains about.
In one case, people connected to this movement were linked to the satanic terror group 764 — a group that has influenced teen suicides and violent attacks in UK schools. Let that sink in. This is who she’s empowering.

She didn’t just turn away when that started. She doubled down. She gave this movement a gloss of legitimacy. She used her fame to funnel people toward disinformation, fear, and cruelty—and dressed it all up as feminism. But it isn’t feminism when it excludes, vilifies, and harms other women. Especially trans women. Especially intersex people. Especially anyone who doesn’t fit into the narrow fantasy of who is acceptable.

Rowling’s language now echoes in government documents. Her phrases like “gender ideology” have been lifted from far right sources, including the Vatican and authoritarian regimes, and mainstreamed into British law. Her influence helped set the stage for the UK Supreme Court to redefine the word “woman” based on sex assigned at birth, stripping rights from trans and intersex people under the Equality Act. That’s what happens when the well is poisoned. People stop thinking. They start reacting.

Meanwhile, her cult chant her slogans as though they are scientific fact. But science says otherwise. Peer-reviewed studies show that trans people’s brain structures do not align with their sex assigned at birth. They show that gender identity forms in the womb, shaped by hormones and biology not ideology. Large-scale DNA studies have found gene variants linked to gender incongruence. And intersex people exist. That is biological fact. Not one of these truths can be erased by Rowling’s fiction.

What makes this so dangerous is how calm it all sounds. Rowling doesn’t scream. She whispers. She calls it “concern.” She says she’s “just asking questions.”
But it’s never neutral to question someone’s right to exist. It’s not a debate when one side is simply trying to live and the other is trying to strip away their legal recognition and healthcare.

This isn’t just a disagreement. This is a slow campaign of erasure, led by someone with a global platform and millions in the bank.

She’s not some deluded soul from MN; she’s a multi-millionaire author whose words shape global policy. She’s not being silenced. She’s being echoed by judges, by pundits, by politicians trying to climb the ladder by stepping on the backs of trans, non-binary, and intersex people.

And let’s not pretend it stops there. Her influence has allowed people to feel safe expressing open homophobia, biphobia, and hatred toward anyone who challenges gender norms. Some of the same people aligned with her have mocked survivors, denied racism, and claimed slavery was “fine” if it was “kind.”
This is not a group grounded in empathy. It’s a movement that thrives on exclusion and resentment. Some of them now openly identify as neo Nazis. That’s where we are.

So next time someone says “she’s just worried” or “she’s not anti-trans” or “can’t we just disagree,” consider these words. Show them what poison looks like. Not just hateful speech but the deliberate seeding of doubt, division, and cruelty, all wrapped in a soft voice and a smug smile. J.K. Rowling didn’t protect anyone. She infected people. And when she’s gone, her legacy won’t be literature it will be the damage she left behind.

You don’t need to cancel her. You just need to see her clearly.
And if you blindly follow Rowling and her ideas then you need to reflect on what you’re really endorsing.

Because ignorance is not an excuse. Not anymore.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
34
CassOle · 28/08/2025 18:21

Igneococcus · 28/08/2025 18:15

I'm actually starting to remember all those creationists that I used to have online discussions with increasingly fondly, they were rather more rational in comparison.

'I'm getting sick and tired of dinosaurs being forced on our children'

#FunTimes

Boiledbeetle · 28/08/2025 18:21

CassOle · 28/08/2025 16:51

Why do I feel that someone needs to sit Sammy down and say: 'When a Mummy and a Daddy love each other very much...'

I have to admit the lack of quote button usage from Sam has led to some very funny moments up thread as I've read through!

MrsOvertonsWindow · 28/08/2025 18:22

There seems to be a stuttering stream of bitter, seething men appearing on this board. All using long words they don't really understand, sneering and patronising like the saddest incels and displaying an inbuilt contempt for women and girls having boundaries. Along with completely failing to understand JKR's words which weren't that difficult to comprehend.

Although some of them are evidently posting from Australian / American basements funded by Mom and Pop, some seem to be our own home grown conspiracy theorists.

Sad times.

Catiette · 28/08/2025 18:23

Boiledbeetle · 28/08/2025 18:17

But which one is the one who can give birth? And why can't the other one?

What a silly question! We don't need words for nit-picky little differences like that anymore! Which of the sexes gives birth has no significance or impact - not on the body, or finances, or pensions, or medicine, or sexual crime, or physical strength or anything. The word you want to keep, to be able to name the type of human with that capacity, is obsolete now. We don't need it any more! They don't need it any more! Some of them think they do - but they're just stupid cultists still living in the dark ages.

Greyskybluesky · 28/08/2025 18:24

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/08/2025 18:21

@Igneococcus - Nardini’s (a cafe and ice cream parlour in Largs) occasionally makes Ferraro Rocher ice cream. I had it once, but have never found it there again, despite making dh drive me there over and again. But I am now wondering how delicious Raffaello ice cream would be - maybe I should suggest it to them!

You can get Raffaello lollies! Lidl and others do them

https://www.ferrerofoodservice.com/uk/en/products/ferrero-ice-creams/raffaello-ice-cream

Igneococcus · 28/08/2025 18:24

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/08/2025 18:21

@Igneococcus - Nardini’s (a cafe and ice cream parlour in Largs) occasionally makes Ferraro Rocher ice cream. I had it once, but have never found it there again, despite making dh drive me there over and again. But I am now wondering how delicious Raffaello ice cream would be - maybe I should suggest it to them!

You should, that would be so good. I think I've seen Rocher ice cream at the Pokey Hat in Oban.
I know about Nardinis but I've not yet been to Largs.

BundleBoogie · 28/08/2025 18:25

Sammybabes16 · 28/08/2025 17:00

Only some women born women at birth can give birth.

do your definition of a woman then are only those that can give birth?

Interesting opinion which I disagree with

Can you repeat that in English please?

BeGreatKhakiOtter · 28/08/2025 18:25
Text Street GIF

This post will likely be a little too long <snip>

A whiff of desperation in the air?

MarieDeGournay · 28/08/2025 18:28

Sammybabes16 · 28/08/2025 17:49

Many definitions of woman. The GC cultists seem more obsessed with his than equality or fairness or life itself

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/woman

I think you misrepresent what a dictionary does: it lists all the uses to which words are put in various contexts - popular expressions, technical terms, literature, slang etc etc.

So the Cambridge dictionary definitions of 'woman' are as useful as its definitions of 'house'.

If someone says they live in a house, Sammybabes16, do you think they mean
a building where animals are kept? a company that is involved in a particular area of business? an important family, especially a royal one?
These are all Cambridge dictionary definitions of 'house'.

But only one definition: a building that people, usually one family, live in, is of any relevance to laws concerning property.

By the same token, the dictionary can list many uses of the word 'woman', but only one will be relevant to laws concerning equality between the sexes: an adult female human being.

Is a sole a fish or part of a shoe? does a batter in cricket use a flying mammal or willow-wood?Is a woman an adult female human being, or an adult male human being?
Dictionaries are snapshots of language use, and not ideal when specificity and accuracy are important.

MoProblems · 28/08/2025 18:29

Sammybabes16 · 28/08/2025 15:57

Once again I never said that.

I’m pointing out facts which you interpret and skew yourself.

here are facts:

  1. the majority of women in Norway support trans rights and self ID
  2. Norway has been voted the best country for women to live in 10 years in a row by the UN
  3. Norway is consistently in the top 10 happiest countries in the world to live in. The U.K. certainly is not.
  4. There are far few children and women living in puberty in Norway than the U.K.

all far more important than what the definition of woman is 😂

yes puberty blockers are harmful. Or is that not what you meant.

my drink of water nearly drowned me there.

NoWordForFluffy · 28/08/2025 18:30

BernardBlacksMolluscs · 28/08/2025 17:54

It’s difficult keeping up with all of you at the shanties indoor doctor scoffing point of hire you out narrow viewpoints

Grin yowser

love it

Is this code?! 🤔

ArabellaScott · 28/08/2025 18:30

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/08/2025 18:21

@Igneococcus - Nardini’s (a cafe and ice cream parlour in Largs) occasionally makes Ferraro Rocher ice cream. I had it once, but have never found it there again, despite making dh drive me there over and again. But I am now wondering how delicious Raffaello ice cream would be - maybe I should suggest it to them!

Had a lovely pistachio cone there recently.

Catiette · 28/08/2025 18:30

MarieDeGournay · 28/08/2025 18:28

I think you misrepresent what a dictionary does: it lists all the uses to which words are put in various contexts - popular expressions, technical terms, literature, slang etc etc.

So the Cambridge dictionary definitions of 'woman' are as useful as its definitions of 'house'.

If someone says they live in a house, Sammybabes16, do you think they mean
a building where animals are kept? a company that is involved in a particular area of business? an important family, especially a royal one?
These are all Cambridge dictionary definitions of 'house'.

But only one definition: a building that people, usually one family, live in, is of any relevance to laws concerning property.

By the same token, the dictionary can list many uses of the word 'woman', but only one will be relevant to laws concerning equality between the sexes: an adult female human being.

Is a sole a fish or part of a shoe? does a batter in cricket use a flying mammal or willow-wood?Is a woman an adult female human being, or an adult male human being?
Dictionaries are snapshots of language use, and not ideal when specificity and accuracy are important.

I find the mistakes kids can make using thesauruses because of exactly this misunderstanding endlessly entertaining. Thanks for a great explanation.

NoWordForFluffy · 28/08/2025 18:31

CassOle · 28/08/2025 17:56

Dr Upton, is that you?

#sadtimes

Boiledbeetle · 28/08/2025 18:31

spannasaurus · 28/08/2025 18:12

BTW Boiled isn't receiving the far right money anymore and I'm in charge of distribution. I have sent out the application forms but none of you seem to be able to get past the first question on the application. Is there something putting you all off?

How do you identify?

  1. Transwomen
  2. Cis man
  3. Non binary/gender fluid
  4. Transman
  5. Cis women

I knew someone had hacked my emails!

I don't see anything wrong with your options. If they won't tick a box to get their share you'll just have to spend it for them.

I'm keeping the 378 million pounds currently sat in my safe though.

Merrymouse · 28/08/2025 18:36

BackToLurk · 28/08/2025 18:00

Bless @Sammybabes16 ’you’re all old women’ and ‘women are responsible for male violence’ and STILL thinking she’s any sort of feminist.

Sad times

OLD women are responsible for male violence I think?

Although it's difficult to tell what is really meant what will all the Romans and no puberty in Norway.

Catiette · 28/08/2025 18:37

Merrymouse · 28/08/2025 18:36

OLD women are responsible for male violence I think?

Although it's difficult to tell what is really meant what will all the Romans and no puberty in Norway.

With sentences like that, I really need to go back and RTFT...

spannasaurus · 28/08/2025 18:37

Boiledbeetle · 28/08/2025 18:31

I knew someone had hacked my emails!

I don't see anything wrong with your options. If they won't tick a box to get their share you'll just have to spend it for them.

I'm keeping the 378 million pounds currently sat in my safe though.

It's mainly been spent on dog treats.

Bannedontherun · 28/08/2025 18:41
Bitcoin Robbery GIF by AGoodDoctorBTC

@Boiledbeetle Have you checked your safe lately?

nutmeg7 · 28/08/2025 18:42

Sammybabes16 · 28/08/2025 17:55

Bless you dear. You TERFs are do funny yet bitter and sad.

Real younger 3rd and 4th wave feminists know what true equality is. Every TERF of GC I have ever met are either middle aged or older angry women or far right men.

it’s extraordinary you claim to be feminists having allied yourself with these misogynist Right wing male groups.

sad ❤️

Aah bless, how naive.

I hope you never get older, or any wiser.

Haulage · 28/08/2025 18:44

MrsOvertonsWindow · 28/08/2025 18:22

There seems to be a stuttering stream of bitter, seething men appearing on this board. All using long words they don't really understand, sneering and patronising like the saddest incels and displaying an inbuilt contempt for women and girls having boundaries. Along with completely failing to understand JKR's words which weren't that difficult to comprehend.

Although some of them are evidently posting from Australian / American basements funded by Mom and Pop, some seem to be our own home grown conspiracy theorists.

Sad times.

There is definitely an uptick in the number of inadequate blokes coming here to tell us off. Expressing their misogyny to women must give them a little thrill.

Weird. Sad times.

nutmeg7 · 28/08/2025 18:45

Sammybabes16 · 28/08/2025 17:58

you do realise there has been a huge increase of violence against transwomen because of the Gender Cult agenda? Can’t see how transwomen are responsible for this so called increase of violence against women.

Bless you dear ❤️

Where's your stats for this statement?

You are making stuff up, or regurgitating things you have found online without engaging any sort of critical thinking skills at all

Catiette · 28/08/2025 18:46

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 28/08/2025 15:46

@CSIRCP

“This isn’t a debate. It is one woman’s fear being weaponised.”
It is a debate, and a long-running one. We are having it now. It concerns law, safeguarding, medicine and language, not one person’s feelings. Women’s rights are not granted or withdrawn because a single woman is anxious. They exist in statute, case law and safeguarding guidance.

“JKR poisoned the well across politics, education, media and courts.”
Courts decide on law, not on authors. Politicians answer to voters, not novelists. If institutions are re-centering sex where it matters, that is because material reality and safeguarding require it, not because a famous writer tweeted.

“Her essay was projection, a confession masquerading as concern.”
Dismissing women’s testimony as pathology is a tactic to avoid the substance. Her argument was about safeguarding and the social pressures on girls. You do not refute that by psychoanalysing the author.

“She aligned with people who say all trans women are predators.”
Stating that male people should not access female-only spaces is a safeguarding boundary, not a claim that all males are predators. Safeguarding is based on risk and sex, not identity or personal virtue.

“She liked racist or antisemitic material and repeats far-right tropes.”
Extraordinary accusations need evidence, not vibes. Even if you dislike her politics, ad hominem does not answer whether sex-based rights and definitions are legitimate. Argue the point, not the person.

“The gender-critical movement is about control, not truth or safety.”
It is about female privacy, consent and equal participation. Single-sex services, sports and data are long-standing parts of women’s rights. Calling boundaries “control” tries to shame women out of safeguarding themselves.

“Posie Parker welcomed Nazis. 764 was linked to GC circles.”
Guilt by association is not an argument. Bad actors sometimes turn up where cameras are. That does not erase the mainstream position: women’s boundaries, set by law and common sense, are legitimate. Condemn extremists and keep the discussion on policy.

“Rowling gave legitimacy to disinformation, dressed up as feminism.”
She is, like it or not, one of the most influential women on the planet using her platform to defend sex-based rights. You can disagree with her, but millions of women recognise the issues she raises from experience in schools, sport, prisons and healthcare.

“Government language now echoes her, and courts redefined woman by sex assigned at birth.”
Law has always recognised sex where relevant. Clarifying that “woman” means female in specific contexts protects women and girls. That is not “poison”, it is legal certainty. Women’s rights are not dictated by one person, they are upheld by democratic and judicial processes. Also yes - we won. Good news for all.

“Science proves gender identity is innate, brain-based, genetic, and intersex people exist.”
None of that, even if partly true (it's not), changes the fact that human sex is dimorphic and relevant to safety, fairness and privacy. Identity claims do not override sex in risk-managed settings. Intersex conditions (actually DSDs) do not abolish the categories male and female, and policy for millions cannot be set by rare exceptions. Nobody, not one single person is in-between sexes. No one.

“Questioning this is denying people’s right to exist.”
No one is denying anyone’s existence. The question is where sex matters in law and safeguarding. Saying “women need single-sex spaces” is not an attack on anyone’s humanity, it is a boundary.

"This is a campaign of erasure led by a billionaire author.”
Women asking for accurate language, sex-based data and protected spaces are resisting erasure. Wealth and fame are irrelevant to the merits. Either the arguments stand or they do not.

“Her fans chant slogans, spreading homophobia, biphobia and racism.”
Smearing a broad group with the worst online behaviour you can find is a way to avoid the policy questions. Mainstream gender-critical feminists oppose all bigotry. They are asking for sex-realist boundaries that protect lesbians, bisexual women and straight women alike.

“You do not need to cancel her, just see the poison clearly.”
What has “poisoned” the public square is the demand that women accept male access to female spaces and services on self-declaration, with penalties for dissent. That pressure created the backlash. Men forcing entry into women’s spaces caused the conflict, not a fantasy author pointing it out.

“There is no debate.”
“No debate” was tried for years. It failed. The debate happened in workplaces, school changing rooms, sports clubs, hospital wards and courtrooms. Once people were finally allowed to talk, many saw the emperor had no clothes. The public can hold two thoughts at once: be kind to individuals, and keep sex-based boundaries where they matter.

“Women’s rights are being used to harm trans and intersex people.”
Women’s rights are for women, and they do not rely on anyone else’s approval. Protecting single-sex spaces, fair sport and clear statistics is not harm, it is the minimum required for safety, dignity and equality.

I hope the author doesn't mind me re-posting this. It's so thorough and thoughtful.

If nothing else, it'll highlight the OP's inevitable inability to address any of these pithy responses.

Toseland · 28/08/2025 18:46

What J.K. Rowling has done is not just share an opinion. She’s poisoned the well. And that poison is spreading through politics, education, the media, and even the courts.
That isn't poison; that's the antidote, that's sanity.

myplace · 28/08/2025 18:47

I’m increasingly confused as to the point of these threads. I mean, it’s diverting and all and I guess it gives work for idle thumbs, but…

OP posts some equally ludicrous and tedious.
Doesn't get the reaction they were hoping for (?) so uses a nebulous dog whistle to call in some little friends to back them up by posting something equally tedious.

Meanwhile no one is buying what they’re selling.

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