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J.K. Rowling Ignites Backlash Over Her Transphobic Comments About The Phrase 'People Who Menstruate'

J.K. Rowling Ignites Backlash Over Her Transphobic Comments About The Phrase 'People Who Menstruate'
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images

J.K. Rowling has been feeling the heat ever since she posted a tweet that many deemed transphobic, entitled and privileged.

It is not the first time the Harry Potter author faced criticism for making comments that many felt expressed intolerance for the trans community, racism, classism and ableism. She's drawn backlash so often people who saw she was trending on Twitter asked what she had done "this time."


On May 28, devex, the self-proclaimed "media platform for the global development community," published an editorial exploring the greater vulnerabilities that certain groups face in the pandemic-stricken world.

The op-ed had the following headline:

"Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate"

J.K. Rowling took issue with the wording of that headline on Twitter.

That tweet ignited a wave of backlash from several people on Twitter, who felt it demeaned many people that identify as transgender and not as women, but still menstruate.

Others found it insulting to all of the women, whether transgender or cisgender, who have never menstruated and never will.

Rowlings narrow definition based on only cisgender women without health issues or who have not reached menopause left many angered at her display of privilege.



LGBTQ rights organization GLAAD put out a statement responding to Rowling's comments.

Others slammed Rowling for her recent statements.

Many recalled her history of controversial comments regarding the trans community as well as the racism in her books.










Those tweets referred to some of the other times Rowling drew ire across the internet.

In December 2019, Rowling faced widespread scrutiny after she vocally defended a researcher who was fired for tweeting that a person cannot change their biological sex, Variety reported.

And Rowling is liking attacks against trans women again.


Rowling did respond to the criticism with additional tweets.

She praised the concept of "unchangeable sex."



But again, Twitter outright opposed her commentary.

Many called Rowling out for the entitlement of thinking she can make herself the victim and respond with righteous indignation about people criticizing her.


It does not appear that the backlash led to any productive dialogue or change of mind for Rowling as so many others have failed in the past.

The impasse remains.

It's safe to say you can keep your ears out for future controversies down the line.

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