JK Rowling Faces Backlash for Online Comments Targeting Non-Binary Individuals

Once a cherished author, JK Rowling has controversially become a prominent figure in the TERF movement in the UK, suggesting she has ample free time at her disposal.

As a billionaire, she theoretically has the means to explore countless leisurely activities. She could unwind on an exclusive island escape, dive in turquoise waters, or purchase a pristine castle devoid of mold. Yet, Rowling seemingly finds more satisfaction in targeting and mocking strangers who identify as transgender or non-binary.

Consider the event from October 21. Rowling shared a screenshot of a tweet celebrating a non-binary individual’s momentous occasion: “Four years ago today, I chose my name. Four years ago today, I came out as non-binary. Happy anniversary to me!” The original tweet was adorned with heart emojis representing the non-binary flag.

Little known fact: in ancient times non-binary people chose their names by selecting the herb or periodic table element with the exact same number of letters as their Enneagram type.Should I decide to abandon the binary, I will go by Thyme or Boron. pic.twitter.com/BRXG7U2rha

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 21, 2024

Rowling, however, couldn’t allow a non-binary person’s expression of happiness to go unchallenged. She captured a screenshot, omitting the individual’s name, and shared it on her widely followed X account, lacing her commentary with sarcasm. “Little known fact: in ancient times non-binary people chose their names by selecting the herb or periodic table element with the exact same number of letters as their Enneagram type. Should I decide to abandon the binary, I will go by Thyme or Boron,” she quipped. Perhaps she ought to consider alternatives ending in -oron as well.

cringingly unfunny.Give it up, none of you have a sense of humour, this is just mediocre drivel.

— Joss Prior❤️?? Pleasant to a fault!? ?❤️ (@joss_prior) October 21, 2024

Predictably, a surge of Rowling’s zealous followers started ridiculing the individual who had simply dared to exist online. The person’s original tweet was made private, but one hopes they can endure the backlash. It’s utterly maddening that Rowling can target individuals indiscriminately and face no repercussions for it.

This isn’t an isolated incident for Rowling. Earlier, in May, she lashed out at Lucy Clark, a trans football manager who had seemingly no prior connection to her. Responding to a commendation about Clark’s achievements, Rowling quipped sarcastically, “When I was young, all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged gentlemen, so it’s fantastic to see how much things have changed.” When called out, she retorted, “Crossdressing straight men are currently one of the most pandered-to demographics in existence, and women are under no obligation to applaud the people caricaturing us.” Meanwhile, in the real world—where Rowling appears to have distanced herself from—the harsh truth is that trans women, particularly those who are Black, face disproportionate violence.

Moreover, we cannot overlook Rowling’s harassment in the case of Imane Khelif. During the 2024 Olympics, unfounded rumors circulated that she was “really a man.” In reality, Khelif had only failed one obscure gender test mandated by Russia, yet she was cleared to compete and is neither transgender, intersex, nor non-binary. Rowling nonetheless chose to criticize her existence, accusing Khelif of cheating and suggesting she was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head,” while using male pronouns. Consequently, Khelif has pursued legal action against Rowling and others who harassed her. It has become increasingly evident that Rowling lacks comprehension of what constitutes a woman and seems equally oblivious about the definition of non-binary identities. Most troubling, however, is her apparent lack of understanding of basic human decency.

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