‘She’s both right and magnificent’: Jonathan Ross defends JK Rowling over ‘transphobic’ tweets

Author faced backlash for criticising the phrase ‘people who menstruate’

Jonathan Ross has shown his support for JK Rowling after the author faced backlash for sharing “anti-transgender” tweets.

On Sunday night (7 June), the TV host tweeted out in defence of Rowling, beginning his message: “I just ate too many brownies. Again.”

“Oh, and also. @jk_rowling is both right and magnificent,” Ross continued, “For those accusing her of transphobia, please read what she wrote. She clearly is not.”

In response to a follower who suggested that Ross wasn’t knowledgeable enough to speak on the subject, the broadcaster replied: “Well I think you’re sort of wrong,” later expanding: “It is a heated and rather troubling debate. But hopefully people will find space to both talk and listen.”

Rowling, who is “gender critical”, sparked outrage on Saturday night (6 June) after sharing a series of “transphobic” tweets in response to an article titled: “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”

Rowling commented: “‘People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

She continued: “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.

“I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.”

Many fans of the children’s author, who recently launched her new story The Ickabog online for free, suggested that it was inappropriate and ignorant for Rowling to launch an “attack” on the trans community during Pride Month and while Black Lives Matter protests were taking place across the world.

Actor Jameela Jamil sent the author a link to a fundraiser for “Homeless Black Trans women”, writing: “Hey JK as you claim to support trans rights and this is a historical moment where we are globally discussing the impact of white supremacy on Black People, please share some of your $650million mega wealth with this charity.”

Another Twitter user wrote: “JK Rowling woke up this morning, looked out her window at a world where police are murdering unarmed black civilians, a deadly plague is ravaging the population, and fascism is on the rise, and thought, ‘I’m gonna s*** on trans people today.”