Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, recently reinforced her stance that invalidates the lived realities of trans people. Rowling has been called out for her #transphobic takes multiple times over the last few years.
On 6th April, Rowling posted a long statement on her social media that reiterated her position. In the post she referred to her belief that womanhood is related to the biological sex. She equated women to their “sex class”. Simultaneously, she stated that she does not believe in the fact that trans women can be recognized as such just because they medically transition. Rowling also stated that medically transitioned trans people still hold their masculine traits of “criminality” and “speed and strength”.
These statements are not only harmful towards the inclusion of trans people in social frameworks, but also factually incorrect. Studies have proven that gender and biological sex are different. That gender is not a binary of male and female, instead it is a spectrum.
When #transwomen are reduced to their biological sex, it conversely invalidates the experience of all trans people, including transmen and non-binary people. Additionally, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes against transwomen, by insinuating that they can transgress the safety of cis women. There are very real instances of trans women being excluded from sports, that are a direct result of these stereotypes. However, these myths have never been medically proven.
Ultimately, it also propagates the myth that, to be considered trans, a person has to medically transition. The trans community is not a homogenous entity; some opt for a medical transition, some are happy with a social and/or legal transition, and some go for all of the above.
Someone of J.K. Rowling’s cultural clout repeating harmful stereotypes and myths about the trans community can have far-reaching consequences. Especially in the age of social media, where millions of people are vulnerable to being ‘influenced’ by dangerous mistruths being paraded as hard facts. These unconscious biases can later surface in executive decisions, and medico-legal policies that discriminate against trans folx.
When it comes to the human rights of the most vulnerable populations, celebrities are expected to reflect awareness and adopt an educated inclusive approach.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments.
#jkrowling #transgenderissues #transawareness #transgenderrights
