Stephen King's response to Rowling on sex and gender discussions

[ThisWildDreamer]

Stephen King was asked a simple question - are trans women women? - and when he said yes, one of the most wealthy writers in the world turned on him.

J.K. Rowling had just publicly showered him with praise. Within hours of his answer, she deleted it and, in King's words, "sorta blocked" him.

King is one of the most famous novelists alive, and he didn't walk it back or cast himself as the victim. He said plainly that nobody had cancelled Rowling - he just thought she was wrong. He turns 79 today, still saying it.

He could have kept the friend and stayed quiet. He said yes instead.

It's best understood as thinking of 'Trans' as a modifier that works the same way as 'Fake' or 'Pretend'.

Demonstrably false.

You & I even (speakers of the same language I believe) disagree on its meaning.

I even disagree a bit with JKR: she thinks “trans woman” is a noun phrase.

I think it’s an adjectival phrase in which the adjective is a privative, in that it deprives the noun of its meaning. Like faux pearls, counterfeit money, fake concern…

Exactly

I understand perfectly that trans women are male.

Did you not read the linked article?

Oh dear …

I'm taking a transatlantic flight soon, I hope the plane doesn't identify as a bicycle.

😭

Well, the transatlantic might actually be the Pacific... lord knows where you could end up!

Compared to what? Understanding the difference between reproductive traits & sex traits that most of gender critical people who obsess over TP don't even understand? About 65% of the UK population understands what trans is according to surveys which is impressive since trans people aren't relevant to most peoples lives.

It doesn't. As shown upthread, many people think a trans woman is a female person who claims to be a man.

Going back to this: 'Trans women are women' is just short hand for trans women are a sub category of women as a result of social associations.

Let's have a look.

Trans women = some male humans.

Women = female humans.

Trans women are a subcategory of women = some male humans are a type of female human.

As a result of social associations = some males are females because of society.

So you're claiming that a popular idea has the power to change people's sex.
Are you really sure you want to stick with that?

Most people would interpret trans as a belief just like religion, politics or sex realism is a belief.

Show me where “gender” is a PC.

it isn’t.

Sex is, & is clearly & biologically accurately defined.

Something called “gender reassignment” is. The Act which introduced it into law is extremely contradictory in what it means.

But no gender.

And you were claiming just now that belief men are women if they say so is a belief. What’s that: religious? Philosophical?

So 65% understand transwoman to mean pretend women.

Awesome progress

Humans still can’t change sex

Gender identification is primarily experienced as an internal psychological & personal sense of self but the conceptual models defining it & the counter arguments against them operate as philosophical and metaphysical positions.

Gosh I hadn't thought of that... I'll pack an extra jumper.

In the Middle Ages, there was a social contagion where people believed that they were made of glass. Humans believe in all kinds of shit.

Biological sex, however, is demonstrably true and remains true whether it is believed in or not.

That’s neither the PC of sex, nor of gender reassignment, so not relevant to what is protected in law.

Another fail in Grainger, too.

Maybe take the Trans-Siberian Railway instead, you could end up somewhere warm?

What are you talking about? Gender reassignment is a protected group from discrimination under the EA just like sex is.

I do enjoy your gaslighting ways. Ingrid Bergman would've had a cracking time.

If I get the Blue Train I might end up in a Golden Age detective novel which could be a fun fortnight 🤔

Travelling is pretty dicey these days...

King retweeted one of Rowling's TERFy tweets, and she thanked him fulsomely. Then he backpedalled, so she unthanked him.

Seems like a pretty low stakes exchange, particularly as they still appear to be on perfectly cordial terms. Why is someone going on about it six years later?

Some trains which identify as ‘transpennine’ are surely cispennine

Like people who obsess all day about 0.5% of the population & their genitals?
yeah I hear you.

Have we not just had this argument on another thread by one of the other GI posters. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 almost word for word….