Entertainment
JK Rowling slammed by Nicola Sturgeon over trans legislation row: ‘She’s not a real feminist’-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro
The First Minister has responded.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has blasted JK Rowling and appeared to imply she isn’t a ‘real feminist’.
The Harry Potter author, who has sparked controversy in the recent years over her comments about the trans community, has clashed with Sturgeon after a gender recognition legislation was passed by the Scottish Government.
The majority of MSPs on the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommended the approval of the general principles of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which allows an easier process for transgender people to be legally recognised as their preferred gender.
This week, Rowling was seen wearing a t-shirt declaring the SNP leader ‘a destroyer of women’s rights’, and Sturgeon has fought back.
She said: ‘There are no shortages of attacks on women that feminists, real feminists, as I consider myself to be, should be focusing on right now.’
Rowling voiced her support for members of For Women Scotland (FWS) – who hosted a rally outside Holyrood after the Scottish government’s recommendation – in a caption alongside the controversial T-shirt.
Rowling spoke out against Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform bill with a T-shirt branding Nicola Sturgeon a ‘destroyer of women’s rights’ (Picture: @jkrowling, Twitter)
Nicola Sturgeon has addressed the t-shirt and controversy (Picture: Ken Jack/Getty Images)
She tweeted: ‘I stand in solidarity with @forwomenscot and all women protesting and speaking outside the Scottish Parliament. #NoToSelfID.’
Sturgeon has been directly asked about her t-shirt, and told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: ‘Abusive men are a risk to women – that is what we should be focusing on.
‘We shouldn’t be seeking to further stigmatise and discriminate against a tiny, tiny group in society that are already one of the most stigmatised groups in society.
‘There are many, many real threats to women out there right now, from attacks physical attacks, attacks of sexual violence to the removal of abortion and reproductive rights to what women in countries in Iran are going through.
JK Rowling has denied being transphobic (Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
‘The threat to women in our society today is not from trans women, it is from abusive men, from lawmakers who want to take away our rights and that is what we should be focusing on.’
In 2020 Rowling, 57, was accused of being ‘anti-trans’ when she tweeted: ‘“People who menstruate”. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’
She has since denied being transphobic, insisting: ‘I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.
‘The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women – ie, to male violence – “hate” trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences – is a nonsense.
‘I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans.
‘At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Entertainment – MetroRead More
