J.K. Rowling's latest display of transphobia targeted a transgender soccer official who made history, and this official did nothing to provoke Rowling's attack.
When Lucy Clark was hired as the first openly transgender soccer referee in the world for England women’s soccer’s third tier, it was a historic moment. She continued to make history as the first openly transgender manager for Sutton United. Lucy Clark became the first openly transgender manager in competitive English soccer when she was hired to manage Sutton United. Rowling responded to a now-deleted post from an LGBTQ+ nonprofit praising Clark and implied she was a middle-aged man.
Rowling reacted to a now-deleted post from an LGBTQ+ nonprofit that praised Clark by implying she was a middle-aged man.
She commented, “When I was young all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged blokes, so it’s fantastic to see how much things have changed.
In response to criticism, she labeled Clark as a crossdresser, misgendered her, and said trans women are simply imitating cisgender women.
She stated, “Calling a man a man is not ‘bullying’ or ‘punching down.' 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.”
On the same day as Rowling’s initial post, Clark responded to the vitriol being hurled at her by Rowling and other anti-trans trolls.
“Another day of hate fueled transphobia against me… but hey guess what I am living my best life. Wake up everyday with my beautiful family around me. Everyday I laugh and have things to look forward to. Who’s winning at life…the one who’s happy and smiling or those hating?”
She added, “You keep hating and I will keep on smiling and living my best life. Maybe you should all give it a try eh.”
Rowling's history of transphobia has become more intense, public, and hateful over time.
In 2019, she first revealed her anti-trans views by expressing support for an anti-transgender activist. Since then, she has consistently spread fearmongering misinformation about the potential for assaults by trans women in women’s restrooms and has written long essays disparaging trans women. She has written lengthy essays that degrade trans women.Additionally, she has spread baseless conspiracy theories about children being coerced into transitioning, and supports vendors who sell transphobic merchandise on social media. Additionally, Rowling has expressed support for conversion therapy for trans individuals and claimed that almost everyone agrees with her views. Furthermore, she has donated £70,000 (about $89,000) to a transphobic Scottish women’s organization in opposition to trans-inclusive governmental policies.
Her social media presence has been heavily focused on anti-trans rhetoric, to the extent that even Elon Musk, known for his own transphobic views, suggested she try writing something “interesting and positive.” Musk recommended this after she shared a 709-word essay explaining her transphobic views. Musk said in a now-deleted post, “While I heartily agree with your points regarding sex/gender, may I suggest also posting interesting and positive content on other matters?” and The rich writer with many supporters stated that it's not 'punching down' to criticize a relatively unknown transgender woman., even as famous people that she has worked with condemned her words. She also recently donated £70,000 (about $89,000) to a transphobic Scottish women’s organization to oppose trans-inclusive governmental policies.
Her social media presence has been so focused on anti-trans rhetoric that even Elon Musk – a well-known transphobe himself – recently suggested she tone it down. Musk told her to try writing something “interesting and positive” after she shared a 709-word essay explaining her transphobic views.
Musk said in a now-deleted post, “While I heartily agree with your points regarding sex/gender, may I suggest also posting interesting and positive content on other matters?”
