British writer J.K. Rowling has made the decision to return the 2019 Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights Ripple of Hope award.

The reason for this was the organization's reaction to the recent scandal, in the center of which was the writer. In early June, Rowling tweeted a headline about creating a more equitable society for menstruating men, hinting that it was about women. The publication caused a negative reaction from the public: many accused the writer of hatred of transgender people. Rowling later published several materials in which she tried to explain her position, and also expressed concern about the situation of women in the UK.

The scandal that erupted around Rowling did not go unnoticed by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for the Defense of Human Rights. In early August, the president of the Carrie Kennedy Center issued a letter stating that Rowling's tweets humiliated transgender people.

“I spoke with J.K. Rowling and expressed my deep disappointment to her that she chose to use her outstanding talent to promote rhetoric that is derogatory to transgender and non-binary people, and also undermines the legitimacy and integrity of the entire transgender community, which already suffers greatly from- for manifestations of violence, discrimination, harassment and marginalization. As a result, there is a high rate of suicide and attempted suicide, homelessness, and cases of physical or psychological harm among members of this community. Black trans women and young transgender people are particularly vulnerable to attacks. Transgender rights are human rights, ”says Kennedy's publication.

According to the head of the Center, from Rowling's statements, it can be concluded that the writer considers the gender given at birth to be the main and determining gender factor, regardless of the person's inner self-awareness. Kennedy herself strongly disagrees with this position. She claims that the floor is non-binar.

In addition, Carrie Kennedy stressed that Rowling's statements are contrary to the Center's values.

“Rowling's attacks on the transgender community run counter to the core beliefs and values ​​of the Rowling Center for Human Rights. Robert F. Kennedy and cross out my father's vision, ”writes the center president.

J.K. Rowling reacted to Carrie Kennedy's statements on 27 August. In a letter posted on the author's website, Rowling mentions that since she first joined the public debate about gender identity and women's rights, she has received letters of support from thousands of people who have been affected by these issues.

Rowling also said that scientists, doctors, social workers and representatives of other spheres contacted her. All of them are concerned about the discussed issues and do not hate transgender people.

Rowling denied all accusations of transphobia in her address, calling Kennedy's statements erroneous.

“The (published by Carrie Kennedy) statement unfairly implied that I was transphobic and also responsible for the harm caused to transgender people. As someone who has donated funds to various LGBT organizations for many years and supports the right of transgender people to live free from fear of persecution, I strongly deny the accusations that I hate transgender people or wish them harm. In addition, I do not consider the protection of women's rights to be something wrong, discriminatory, harmful to the trans community or leading to violence against it, ”the writer emphasized.

J.K. Rowling expressed regret over the conflict with the Robert F. Kennedy Center and said she was forced to return the Ripple of Hope award.

“As a sign of solidarity with those who contacted me, but who fail to make their voices heard, and also because of the very serious differences of opinion between me and the Center for Human Rights. Robert F. Kennedy, I see no choice but to return the Ripple of Hope award I received last year. I am deeply saddened that the Center considered it necessary to take such a position, but no award or honor, no matter how much I admire the person in whose honor it is named, does not mean so much for me that I go against the voice of my conscience, " Rowling's publications.