‘It isn’t hate to speak the truth’: J.K. Rowling takes a stand against gender ideology, and we should stand with her
‘It isn’t hate to speak the truth’: J.K. Rowling takes a stand against gender ideology, and we should stand with her
J.K. Rowling, the writer of the popular “Harry Potter” series, is facing extensive backlash on social media for the second time in half a year. What prompted this uproar? A clever tweet highlighting that the term for “individuals who menstruate” is “women,” followed by a daring essay asserting that “sex is real” and that only biological females are classified as women. She further expressed on Twitter: “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived experiences of women worldwide are invalidated. I know and care for trans individuals, but dismissing the notion of sex eliminates the opportunity for many to discuss their lives meaningfully. Speaking the truth is not an act of hatred.”
Six months ago, Rowling sparked outrage on Twitter by supporting Maya Forester, a female academic in the U.K. who was dismissed for stating that “sex is real” and “transwomen are men.” An employment tribunal determined that Forester’s “absolutist perspective that sex is unchangeable” was “not deserving of respect in a democratic society.” For these actions, Rowling has faced severe public backlash and has been metaphorically executed. She is a continual target of mob animosity, enduring horrific threats and explicit messages. To her credit, Rowling remains steadfast and asserts that she will not be silenced.
In a comprehensive essay, she articulates her stance that “we are currently experiencing the most misogynistic era I’ve encountered. In the 80s, I envisioned that my future daughters, if I were to have any, would enjoy a far better existence than I ever did; however, due to the backlash against feminism and an online culture inundated with pornography, I feel that conditions have deteriorated considerably for girls. I have never witnessed women being belittled and dehumanized to this extreme before. … I want trans women to feel secure. Nevertheless, I do not wish to compromise the safety of natal girls and women. When you widely open the doors of restrooms and changing facilities to any man who claims or feels he’s a woman — and, as I’ve mentioned, gender confirmation certificates can now be issued without any requirement for surgery or hormones — then you invite any and every man who wishes to enter. That is the straightforward reality.”
She added: “I will not submit to a movement that I think is causing clear damage by attempting to undermine ‘woman’ as both a political and biological category, and providing protection to predators like never before.”
What movement is she referring to? And what makes it worth such a steep cost to resist it? These are essential inquiries, as Rowling’s situation holds implications that extend well beyond the ascent and decline of a single celebrity’s standing.
The “movement” to which Rowling alludes is the transgender movement, characterized by its oversight (and frequently control) over public discussions regarding gender, possessing considerable cultural influence. It exerts pressure on corporations and policymakers to advocate for transgender rights and suppress dissenting expressions of “wrongthink,” in Rowling’s words.
Overall, the transgender movement is making strides, having especially harmful consequences for women and young people. The public conversation is tainted with new gender identity terms that distort the meaning of terms like “girl” or “woman.” Legislation and practices intended to safeguard female safety, privacy, and opportunities are being taken apart piece by piece. Transgender ideology is promoted in schools the English-speaking world, misleading children with the false notion that they may be “born in the wrong gender.” It’s no surprise that the number of bewildered children and teenagers has surged. In the U.K., Rowling’s homeland, the count of girls receiving treatment for “gender dysphoria” (discomfort stemming from a perceived incongruity between one’s physical form and identity) has skyrocketed by an astonishing 4,400% in recent years. Young individuals like Keira Bell, who recognized as transgender during her adolescence, are misled into taking cross-gender hormones or undergoing double mastectomies, only to lament those choices in later life. Men who identify as women forcefully enter women’s sports (excelling due to greater physical strength and speed) and invade women’s private areas (such as restrooms, locker rooms, and clubs). The ultimate affront to women comes from men who self-identify as women: They assert the sole authority to determine who genuinely “is” a woman (and those who disagree are branded bigots).
Given the dangers involved, why would Rowling — or any of us — express the truth? After all, the evidence is clear. As biologist Colin Wright articulates: “The essence of biological sex … is linked to the specific type of gametes (sex cells) produced by an organism. Broadly speaking, males are the sex that generates small gametes (sperm), whereas females generate large gametes (ova). There are no intermediary gametes, which is why there is no continuum of sex. Biological sex in humans operates as a binary system.” Nonetheless, we must raise our voices, as even evident truths are now being challenged. Wright observes that as “an increasing number of individuals identify as trans, nonbinary, two-spirited, and gender-nonconforming, there’s been a movement to adjust the objective truth of biological sex to correspond with one’s personally experienced gender identity … the very idea of males and females as genuine biological entities is now considered outdated.”
Catholics should be profoundly unsettled by these occurrences. The swift transformation of the definition of what it means to be a human being — who we truly are — by the transgender movement poses a threat to our society, religious liberty, and overall human flourishing. By rejecting the notion that we are beings entirely reliant on God, gender ideology envisions individuals as independent and self-defining; a person’s identity is determined by their own subjective feelings (“gender identity”) of being masculine, feminine, both, or neither, irrespective of biological sex. In contrast to Christian anthropology, which views the human person as a synthesis of body and soul, gender ideology claims that only an individual’s will is significant. The body is simply an object to be utilized or altered according to one’s wishes. The ultimate consequence, as noted by Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia, is a “worldwide conflict” against the family, since by rejecting sexual distinction, gender ideology removes “the anthropological foundation of the family” (No. 56).
The stakes could not be greater. This transcends a mere war of words. J.K. Rowling undeniably warrants our backing for her bravery, but it is essential that she does not stand isolated. Let us hope for the bravery to unite in a bold testament to the truth of our identities. Do not fear!
Mary Rice Hasson, JD, is the director of the Catholic Women’s Forum at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.
