In December 2019, Jameela Jamil attempted to explain to Rowling the difference between sexual identity and gender. The Good Place actress tweeted to Rowling, “Please follow more trans people, please read about their experiences in this world and know you are contributing to their erasure, abuse and suffering by supporting those who deny their identity/existence. Please wield your immense power to protect those most at risk.”
Last summer, the 55-year-old British author ignited further backlash when she criticized an article titled “Creating a More Equal Post-COVID-19 World for People Who Menstruate,” tweeting, “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Survivor‘s Zeke Smith replied to the author, “Hi! I’m a man! I menstruate! Stop being an a–hole!”
Rowling doubled down on her comments and said that transgender people invalidate the experience of women, explaining, “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
