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JK Rowling returns human rights award after transphobia backlash

JK Rowling returns human rights award after transphobia backlash

“No award or honor means so much to me that I would forfeit the right to follow the dictates of my own conscience,” she protested
29 Aug, 2020

At a time when protests over inequality were raging globally, Harry Potter author J.K Rowling found herself in hot waters for her insensitive comments related to transgender, non-binary and non-gender conforming people who menstruate.

Posting a statement online, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organisation who rewarded Rowling with a Ripple of Hope honour last year, took to express dismay at the author's words.

"I have spoken with J.K. Rowling to express my profound disappointment that she has chosen to use her remarkable gifts to create a narrative that diminishes the identity of trans and nonbinary people, undermining the validity and integrity of the entire transgender community," he posted.

"One that disproportionately suffers from violence, discrimination, harassment, and exclusion and, as a result, experiences high rates of suicide, suicide attempts, homelessness, and mental and bodily harm."

Rowling responded on her own website on Thursday, Aug. 27, maintaining that she feels she has no option but to return the award on account of “the very serious conflict of views" between her and the organisation.

“No award or honor, no matter my admiration for the person for whom it was named, means so much to me that I would forfeit the right to follow the dictates of my own conscience,” she protested.

"The statement incorrectly implied that I was transphobic, and that I am responsible for harm to trans people. As a longstanding donor to LGBT charities and a supporter of trans people’s right to live free of persecution, I absolutely refute the accusation that I hate trans people or wish them ill, or that standing up for the rights of women is wrong, discriminatory, or incites harm or violence to the trans community."