British writer J.K. Rowling, who became the target of online harassment more than a year ago, said on her Twitter page that she still receives hundreds of threats from transactivists.
They promise to "beat, rape, kill and undermine" the author of "Harry Potter".
Rowling also posted a screenshot of a message from one of the site's users, in which he wanted her to find an explosive device in his mailbox.
"I wish you (find -
RT
) a powerful homemade bomb in your mailbox," the publication says.
“In truth, when you cannot quarrel a woman with her publisher, get fired or arrested, and attempts to boycott her only lead to an increase in the sales of her books, there is only one thing left,” Rowling commented on the blogger's wish.
To be fair, when you can't get a woman sacked, arrested or dropped by her publisher, and canceling her only made her book sales go up, there's really only one place to go.
pic.twitter.com/MsNWXhWlyc
- JK Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 19, 2021
Many Twitter users took the news of the ongoing harassment negatively.
They support the writer and argue that such threats should not go unpunished.
“I am sorry that you continue to receive such threats.
Ending anonymity on social media can reduce the scale of this problem, ”writes the Daily Express correspondent Richard Palmer on his page.
Another user of the social network also expressed her support for Rowling and said that she has extensive experience working with transgender people.
According to the blogger, they treat the writer well and do not share the point of view of the activists who criticize her.
“Just know, I've been working with transgender people (ordinary people, not online activists) for many years, and they all think you are just fucking brilliant and don't want to have anything to do with this story.
They are embarrassed, although in vain.
I join the sea of gratitude for standing your ground, ”says the author of the post.
Some of the commentators note that they negatively perceived the past statements of J.K. Rowling, but in any case they consider such threats unacceptable.
“I really cannot express in words how much our views on this issue differ from you and how deeply it hurts and saddens me as a fan of your work.
However, these ridiculous threats and calls for violence are outrageous.
Transactivists, this is how you present yourself in a bad light! ”- write on Twitter.
I really, really cannot state how much I disagree with you on your opinions on this issue and how they hurt & sadden me deeply as a fan.
HOWEVER, these ridiculous threats and calls for violence are disgusting.
Trans activists — you don't make yourselves look good this way!
- Jessie Marie (SuperGeek21) (@ JessieMarie921) July 19, 2021
There were also those who continued to criticize J.K. Rowling for her remarks.
The writer did not engage in controversy, but only thanked everyone who expressed their support for her and said that she was working on a new book about the adventures of detective Cormoran Strike, the main character of the literary series, which Rowling is releasing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
“It's time for me to get back to work on the chapter, but to everyone who sent me wonderful, kind and funny posts and words of support, thank you so much.
It’s a pity that I don’t have enough time to answer you all, but Strike and Robin are currently at a difficult stage of the investigation, so we need to leave them a couple of clues, ”Rowling explained.
The writer found herself at the center of a scandal in June 2020.
Then she repost the publication about creating a more equal society for "people with menstruation."
Rowling ironically noted that such people are usually called women.
This comment provoked a public backlash.
Site users claimed that Rowling did not take into account the physiology of transgender people, and accused her of transphobia.
Later, the writer published several more messages in which she tried to explain her position.
She noted that the concept of gender cannot be ignored, and also stressed that she has nothing against transgender people.
“I have acquaintances transgender, and I love them, but if you destroy the concept of gender, it will deprive many of the opportunity to meaningfully discuss their lives.
Telling the truth doesn't mean hating, ”Rowling said.
Soon, she published an essay on her website in which she spoke about her concerns about the situation of women in the country.
The writer explained that the empowerment of transgender women in some cases can put girls and women who are transgender from birth at risk.
“When you open the doors of women's toilets and changing rooms for any men who consider themselves women or who identify themselves as female - and, as I said, gender certificates can now be issued to people without gender reassignment surgery and hormonal treatment, then you open the door to all men, without exception, who want to go inside, ”wrote Rowling.
However, she failed to convince users of the platform.
Stars also joined in the bullying, including actors who played roles in films based on Rowling's works - Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Eddie Redmayne.
Soon, the largest online fan communities dedicated to the Harry Potter franchise joined in the accusations against Rowling.
They emphasized that they do not share her views and are planning to continue to abandon publications about her personal life and various achievements of the writer, at the same time continuing to cover news related to the franchise and her other works.
A new round of bullying began in September 2020, on the eve of the release of the new book by J.K. Rowling - the fifth part of the series of novels about Cormoran Strike. Then a lot of publications appeared on the network with messages about the death of the writer. They were all accompanied by the hashtag #RIPJKRowling (Rest in Peace, J.K. Rowling). Some users wrote that the messages were more likely addressed to Rowling's career, others posted offensive illustrations and offered to celebrate the "death" of the writer.