Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has angered members of the LGBTIQ+ community after publicly siding with Maya Forstater, a British researcher who lost her job following a series of transphobic tweets arguing that members of the public cannot change their "biological sex".
As The Guardian reports, Forstater's employers, a think tank called Center for Global Development, chose not to renew her contract, citing her “offensive and exclusionary language". Forstater disputed the dismissal, raising more than $160,000 in order to fund legal action.
"All I ever wanted on this was for people to be able to talk about the policy questions around sex and gender identity in a normal, open, democratic way," she said, adding that she had been "blown away" by the public interest in her case.
However, the courts agreed with the cisgender woman's employers, stating that her transphobic views “did not have the protected characteristic of philosophical belief,” and Forstater could therefor face ramifications for sharing them publicly.
Employment judge James Taylor highlighted the "enormous pain that can be caused by misgendering", explaining that "it is a core component of her [Forstater's] belief that she will refer to a person by the sex she considered appropriate even if it violates their dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment."
He added: "The approach is not worthy of respect in a democratic society."
J.K. Rowling, who has been branded a TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) in the past, then broke a month-long Twitter silence to support Forstater.
"Dress however you please," Rowling tweeted.
"Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?"
The author then added the hashtags #IStandWithMaya and #ThisIsNotADrill.
Heartbroken Harry Potter fans soon joined a chorus of condemnation from LGBTIQ+ organisations, including the Human Rights Campaign, who tweeted: "Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary. CC: JK Rowling."
While Rowling has yet to address the criticism publicly, it's likely her beloved legacy has been tainted, with countless Harry Potter fans expressing their grief at the author's views.
"It breaks my heart to see you post something indicating that discrimination against her is perfectly fine behaviour for an employee."
