British writer JK Rowling published a voluminous post on the social network X, in which she shared her opinion on the Hate Crimes Law that came into force in Scotland. The document, in particular, provides for liability for bullying transgender people*, using incorrect pronouns, as well as for showing hatred due to disability, age, religion or sexual orientation. Action will also be taken for statements on the Internet.
According to the author of Harry Potter, this law does nothing to protect women.
“Scotland’s legislators appear to have put the feelings of men who are pursuing their ideas of femininity (no matter how misogynistic and opportunistic this is done) above the rights and freedoms of real women and girls,” the writer said.
She clarifies that the document that has entered into force gives a free hand to activists who want to silence those who express their point of view, for example, about the registered data of transgender criminals. They frame sexual and violent attacks committed by biological males as female. According to Rowling, this also applies to other injustices, in particular allowing transgender people to participate in women's competitions.
“The new legislation leaves room for all kinds of abuse by activists who want to silence those who speak out about the risks of eliminating spaces available only to women and girls,” Rowling writes.
The writer notes that Scottish women have been under pressure for several years now from authorities who reject biological facts and accept a non-religious concept of gender that cannot be substantiated in any way. Rowling notes that redefining the concept of "woman" and attributing it to every man who identifies as a member of the female gender has become an issue with serious consequences. She cites the example of trans activist Isla Bryson (born Adam Graham), who was convicted of two counts of rape of women, but after being charged, he transitioned and was placed in a women's prison.
“It is impossible to accurately describe or understand the reality of violence perpetrated against women and girls (including sexualized violence), or to address the ongoing assault on their rights, if we are not allowed to call a man a man,” writes author.
The writer believes that freedom of speech and belief in Scotland will come to an end if the accurate description of biological sex is made a crime. In addition, Rowling clarifies that if her post is classified as an offense under the adopted law, then she “looks forward to being arrested” when she returns to Scotland.
The majority of social network users who responded to the writer’s statement agreed with her opinion and thanked her for her courage.
“It is absolutely oppressive to criminalize (the actions -
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) women who characterize themselves as adult females. Keeping women in a subordinate position has always been based on gender, and it is fundamentally important for us to reserve the opportunity to defend our interests in this capacity,” wrote one commentator.
“Thank you for your endless courage and humor - they are like a light in dark times and have already made a significant contribution. I hope you don’t mind if I mentally hug you with all my might,” another user expressed.
Rowling herself continues to cover events and forward news about the pickets and protests that began to take place in Scotland after the announcement of the new law.
This is not the first time the writer has expressed his civic position. In 2021, on social networks, the author commented on an article about the Scottish police’s intention to register convicted men as women if they consider themselves such.
“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. The person with the penis who raped you is a woman,” the author wrote at the time.
In 2022, Rowling was condemned by activists for speaking out negatively about amendments to the Gender Recognition Act aimed at making it easier for transgender people to have their gender identity legally recognized. She wrote that these measures would deny protection to women abused by transgender men and women prisoners.
In February 2024, Rowling criticized a Sky News journalist who, in an episode about a convicted transgender man, called the perpetrator a woman. Alice Vaughn, who identified herself as a woman named Scarlett Blake, was found guilty of murdering a man and received a life sentence.
Rowling then wrote that this crime should not be classified as committed by a woman. As this time, many online users supported the writer’s point of view. “It’s so bad. This is not a woman. This is not our crime,” said JK Rowling.
Despite many who agree with her, Rowling’s bold statements have more than once become the reason not only for persecution of the author, but also for angry messages addressed to her and even threats to her life. Nevertheless, the writer continues to defend women's rights. In addition, the writer does not stop creating together with Warner Bros. Discovery is producing a TV series based on the Harry Potter book series. It is known that each of the seven seasons will be based on one of the parts. The project is scheduled for release in 2026.
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LGBT organization is recognized as extremist, its activities are prohibited in Russia.