what did jk rowling say about gender

J.K. Rowling has made multiple public statements about gender that have been widely described as controversial and accused of being transphobic. She is critical of concepts around gender identity that separate it from biological sex. Rowling emphasizes that sex is real and has lived consequences, expressing concern about the effects of redefining legal sex based on gender identity on women's safety, especially in single-sex spaces. She has stated that girls transitioning may be a response to escaping sexism and concerns about young people transitioning without what she considers sufficient evaluation. Rowling's 2020 essay criticized "new trans activism" and questioned the erasure of biological sex, calling some gender identity language dehumanizing. She says she respects trans people's right to live authentically but believes current activist movements harm women as a political and biological class. She voiced particular worries about changes to gender recognition laws that remove medical diagnosis requirements and lower the age for legal gender change. Her statements have drawn significant backlash from LGBT advocates and stars of the Harry Potter films like Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, who affirm that trans women are women. Rowling has defended her position as based on a concern for women’s rights and safety, not hatred of trans individuals, and accuses critics of misunderstanding her or promoting ideology she sees as harmful. In summary, Rowling asserts a distinction between biological sex and gender identity and opposes some gender identity policies, arguing for the protection of female sex-based rights while claiming empathy for trans people. However, her views have been very controversial and widely challenged as transphobic by critics.