“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has often spoken up for the sex-based rights of women, arguing for — and even helping to fund — single-sex spaces for women, particularly those who have been abused.
She has often faced backlash for that from transgender ideology activists — and she faced a whole new wave of criticism when she doubled down on Tuesday, admitting that she’d “happily” do prison time if forced compliance with preferred gender pronouns and identities were the alternative.
The conversation began with Rowling’s defiant response — “No” — to a billboard that read, “Repeat after us: Trans women are women.”
No. pic.twitter.com/YhoHfKdeat
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 17, 2023
Someone responded to her post, pointing out the fact that if Britain’s Labour Party had control of the parliament, the punishment for refusing to comply could be up to two years in prison.
Rowling seemed undeterred, saying that she’d prefer prison to “compelled speech” if it came to that.
I'll happily do two years if the alternative is compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex. Bring on the court case, I say. It'll be more fun than I've ever had on a red carpet.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 17, 2023
“I’ll happily do two years if the alternative is compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex,” Rowling said. “Bring on the court case, I say. It’ll be more fun than I’ve ever had on a red carpet.”
The author and her followers continued the conversation, with one saying that she’d see Rowling “on the inside” and hoped that she’d be put to work in the prison kitchens. Rowling’s preference for a prison job was unsurprising: she said if given the choice, she’d like to work in the library.
Hoping for the library, obviously, but I think I could do ok in the kitchens. Laundry might be a problem. I have a tendency to shrink stuff/turn it pink accidentally. Guessing that won't be a major issue if it's mostly scrubs and sheets, though.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 17, 2023
“Hoping for the library, obviously, but I think I could do ok in the kitchens,” Rowling said. “Laundry might be a problem. I have a tendency to shrink stuff/turn it pink accidentally. Guessing that won’t be a major issue if it’s mostly scrubs and sheets, though.”
“I’m ok at ironing. It’s the not checking there’s a random red sock in amongst the sheets that’s the issue,” she added.
Someone later mused, “Imagine getting shanked by JK” — to which the author replied, “That made me laugh so hard I scared my husband.”
That made me laugh so hard I scared my husband.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 17, 2023