Latest news with #Rowling
The National
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
JK Rowling called The National 'anti-woman' – here's my response
She made this claim because we ran an article, and have run many articles previously, describing groups like Sex Matters as "anti-trans". I would like to take the opportunity to defend this newspaper against Rowling's frankly ridiculous description, and explain why "anti-trans" is indeed suitable language for these activists. What did JK Rowling say and what was the context? On Wednesday, our reporter Laura Pollock published a story headlined "Sex Matters considers new legal action against Scottish Government". In the social copy for the article, we stated: "An anti-trans campaign group is threatening further legal action against the Scottish Government, saying ministers are failing to implement the recent Supreme Court judgment on biological sex in equalities law." On Wednesday night, Rowling tweeted: "For Women Scotland is a feminist campaigning group. You appear to be an anti-woman newspaper." It is important to note that we weren't referring to For Women Scotland, but the group Sex Matters, which suggests Rowling didn't actually read the story before trying to smear our publication. Sex Matters and "anti-trans" First of all, let's take on the argument that describing Sex Matters as "anti-trans" is unfair, pejorative language. Rowling says it is simply a "feminist campaigning group". Is that the case? Sex Matters is an organisation which spends most of its time trying to keep trans women out of all women's spaces. Its recent campaigning includes attacking Westminster Council for displaying Pride flags during Pride Month, and arguing that schools should not teach children that people can transition. In its advice for parents on sex and gender in schools, it also states clearly: "Schools should not celebrate festivals such as Transgender Day of Remembrance." It is very difficult to find examples of Sex Matters campaigning on issues which do not relate to gender identity or matters related to the so-called trans "debate". To describe Sex Matters as simply a "feminist campaigning group" would be misleading, and fail to take into account its primary function. The National – an "anti-woman newspaper"? Myself and the reporters on staff at The National would have once been horrified to learn that JK Rowling had described us as "anti-woman". Today, it reads simply as another Twitter insult dispensed without any grounding in reality. So, here are the facts. The National is led by a woman, with a female assistant editor. On staff, we have more women working as reporters than men. An equal number of men and women write columns for us. We are part of the Pass the Mic programme, mentoring a number of women of colour in Scotland every year and helping them break into the media. We have campaigned on issues like buffer zones, pushing the Scottish Government to bring in legislation to protect women from abuse. For the 2024 International Women's Day, an all-women team produced the newspaper. Everything from the front page to the sports section was written and edited by women. It was the first time this had been done in the Scottish media in my own lifetime. Some of the team in the office for the International Women's Day edition in 2024 (Image: Colin Mearns) That edition looked at a range of issues affecting women in Scotland and around the world. Those challenges included women in Gaza being forced to have C-sections without anaesthetic, thanks to Israel's systematic destruction of the health service. This is an extremely urgent feminist campaigning issue which I have not heard Rowling or her friends at Sex Matters raise concerns over. Rowling has chosen to respond to language she did not like (due to its perceived sympathy towards trans people) by launching an intellectually lazy attack on a newspaper, primarily staffed by women, with a strong track record on reporting on feminist issues. Ultimately, I question the feminist credentials of those who brand the women working at The National "handmaidens" or accuse us of internalised misogyny because the coverage doesn't align neatly with their specific views. It is also not for JK Rowling to determine what all women think or feel. Nobody, no matter how wealthy or influential, can speak for all of us. Thankfully, arguments like Rowling's will not convince many people who are not already deep down the anti-trans rabbit hole. But her attempts to control our language are not welcome and should be called out by those who claim to value free speech. At The National we deal in truth, and will not be cowed by a billionaire trying to control media output to fit her own worldview.
Metro
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Stephen Fry's JK Rowling criticism is welcome - but I'm still disappointed
Pleasantly surprised – and honestly, a bit relieved. That was my immediate reaction when I saw that British national treasure Sir Stephen Fry decided to finally speak out against JK Rowling's relentless demonisation of trans people and the rampant bigotry gripping the UK. Fry, who narrated all seven of Rowling's Harry Potter audiobooks, told a podcast how he no longer had regular dinners with his fellow author, and that her views on trans people were 'strange'. For trans people like me, I think her views are a bit more than that. Fry's comments, in which he claimed Rowling was 'mocking' LGBT people, had said 'inflammatory and distressing' things, describing her as a 'lost cause, radicalised by Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists', were appreciated. Truly. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also saddened that it took him this long to say something. For years, the trans community has raised alarm bells about the festering transphobia spreading across parts of the British media and politics. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! In columns like these, I've increasingly warned about the scale of this transphobia, and raised concerns about the output of JK Rowling in particular. The wider community has also pleaded for recognition, support, and solidarity for years. More often than not, our calls were met with silence – from celebrities, public figures, and others in positions of influence who could've made a difference. Let's be honest: JK Rowling's increasing hostility towards the trans community is no secret, and it is certainly nothing new. The author has clearly been on a journey, and not a positive one. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video From brushing off her liking a post describing trans women as 'men in dresses' as a 'middle-aged moment,' to claiming she'd march with trans people if they were being discriminated against (they are), Rowling is now relentlessly posting online where she openly misgenders and mocks trans people's identities and appearances. Her recent celebration of the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of sex as it relates to the Equality Act was just the latest move in a long campaign of undermining trans rights, posting a very 'woman of the people' picture from her yacht. Last night, Fry described that picture as Rowling 'crowing' about that decision, and said he was 'very happy to go on the record to say that I am really angry about that.' He's right – but for those of us in the community – and our allies – it's been obvious for years where this was all heading. Fry said he 'always liked' Rowling's company and found her charming. But for trans people, this isn't about an intellectual debate between friends. It's about dog whistles, disinformation, and hateful rhetoric. And sadly, it's worked. Trans people are now more vilified than ever, with our very existence being questioned and our lived experience being cast aside. When Fry previously hid behind a 'both sides' argument and refused to hold his friend JK Rowling to account – I was disappointed. So while I do applaud him for finally speaking out, I can't help but note: Others have been brave enough to do so long before now. Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint didn't wait for things to get this bad to show solidarity with trans people. Meanwhile, some actors are still happily signing up for roles in the new Harry Potter series, seemingly unbothered by Rowling's rhetoric. Personally, I know I wouldn't throw a vulnerable group of people under the Knight Bus for a role no matter how much success it gave me. Equality is simply more important than currency. The level of vitriol being hurled at trans people in the UK today, from strangers online to politicians and millionaire authors, is unlike anything I've seen. This isn't a polite disagreement at a dinner party – there are tangible risks to trans people in this country. More Trending So yes, I wish Stephen Fry had spoken up sooner – and used his considerable platform to oppose the damaging views of JK Rowling before now. But I'm ultimately glad he finally has. Because right now, we need more people – especially those with influence – to find their voice and use it. It's never too late to stand on the right side of history. And if Fry's shift can inspire others to do the same, then maybe, just maybe, we're not too far gone. We need allies. We need courage. With that, we can prevent the next 'lost cause'. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: LGBT+ ally Georgia Tennant admits 'the Pride flag feels heavier this June' MORE: Ralph Fiennes warns new Voldemort in Harry Potter TV series of danger MORE: Donald Trump stuns Juventus players with dig at transgender footballers
Spectator
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Spectator
JK Rowling blasts the National as ‘anti-women'
Scotland's self-identifying 'newspaper' is at it again – and this time it has provoked the wrath of renowned writer JK Rowling. The National has chosen to dunk, yet again, on women's rights organisation Sex Matters, dubbing it an 'anti-trans campaign group' which is 'threatening' legal action after it raised concerns about how the Scottish government is – or, more to the point, is not – implementing the recent Supreme Court judgment that backed the biological definition of a woman. But feminist-in-chief Rowling has had enough – and was quick to slam the Nat-obsessed tabloid as 'anti-woman'. Ouch. Taking to Twitter, Rowling defended Sex Matters – which intervened in the For Women Scotland gender case – after remarking scathingly: 'For Women Scotland is a feminist campaigning group. You appear to be an anti-woman newspaper.' And she's not the only one left unimpressed by the pro-indy paper's choice of language. For Women Scotland have waded into the conversation, pondering under Rowling's post: I do wonder if the head of Newsquest is aware that this smear – which lawyers suggested, only last night, amounts to defamation – is routine in the National. Oo er. The separatist bulletin is certainly no stranger to controversy. It fell foul of the Scottish press pack after one of its reporters first wrongly reported that Alba party members had verbally abused First Minister John Swinney inside the cathedral where Alex Salmond's funeral was taking place – before secondly shirking responsibility by claiming that of the journalists there, 'we had all mistaken inside for outside'. Cue a rather miffed response from the Beeb's Scotland editor, who indignantly wrote back that: 'It is not true to say 'we had ALL mistaken inside for outside'. At no point did I hear any jeering inside nor did I hear anyone suggest there was any.' It just goes from bad to worse, eh? And Mr S would remind readers that the secessionist journal managed to rather successfully annoy even its own columnists after it printed an Anglo-bashing splash last year before of the Euros final between England and Spain. Ahead of the match, the newspaper decided to depict a rather large red-faced, bare-chested, tattooed England fan as a football being launched into the air by Spanish midfielder Rodri. 'Time for revenge!' the cover screamed, 'Our message to Spain: Save us from an England win (or we'll never hear the end of it!)'. It prompted one of its own columnists, ex-SNP MP Joanna Cherry, to tweet: 'No. I really don't like this at all' – while SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn slammed the design for its 'xenophobia'. The National's editor eventually rowed back – but it was too little too late… At the time of writing, the piece remains online with its language unchanged. Will the National be forced to U-turn once again, with the help of FWS's little legal reminder? Stay tuned…
The National
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Stephen Fry says JK Rowling has been 'radicalised by Terfs'
The TV presenter and comic described the bestselling writer, whose net worth reportedly stands at £945 million, as a 'lost cause' because of her views. Fry has historically been wary of wading into the transgender debate but has now come out to say he disagrees 'profoundly' with Rowling's views. He narrated the audiobooks for the whole Harry Potter series and said he was 'sorry' about his rift with Rowling over the issue. Fry told The Show People podcast last week that he previously enjoyed Rowling's company but said her gender critical views had 'completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now'. He said: 'She has been radicalised I fear and it may be she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her. 'It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her I am afraid. I am not saying that she not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. She seems to be a lost cause for us.' Terf stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist and is used as an insult by pro-trans activists. Fry, who formerly hosted the quiz show QI, added: 'She started to make these peculiar statements and had very strong difficult views. She seemed to wake up or kick a hornet's nest of transphobia which has been entirely destructive. 'I disagree profoundly with her on this subject. I am angry she does not disavow some of the more revolting and truly horrible, destructive violently destructive things that people say. She does not attack those at all. 'She says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.' READ MORE: Group of 'neo-Nazis' thrown out from council meeting about 'far-right racist' banners On Rowling's interventions in Scottish politics, which has been at the centre of UK-wide debates about trans rights, Fry said: 'She has crowed at the success of legislation in Scotland and elsewhere declaring things about gender. 'So I am very happy to go on the record to say that I am really angry about that.' Fry expressed regret about how Rowling (below) had changed, as he saw it. 'I am sorry because I always liked her company,' he said. 'I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now.' Fry, who is himself gay, previously faced criticism from parts of the LGBTQ+ community for not being more strident in his comments about the trans rights debate. In 2022, he called for both sides to stop fighting one another, saying: 'There is no winner.' He previously described Rowling as a 'friend', adding: 'I have trans friends and intersex friends who are deeply upset by her. That is a circle I have to square personally.' Fry added that he did not intend to 'abandon' friendships.
Euronews
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Stephen Fry on J.K. Rowling: ‘She seems to be a lost cause'
Renowned British actor, author and broadcaster Stephen Fry has labelled Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling a 'lost cause' and stated that she has been 'radicalised by TERFs' - the acronym that stands for 'trans-exclusionary radical feminist'. The term is used by transgender activists against gender critics like Rowling, who has dedicated much of her online presence to defending her views while expressing transphobic views. During the recording of the podcast The Show People, Fry, who previously narrated all seven Harry Potter audiobooks, said: "She has been radicalised I fear and it maybe she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her.' As reported by The Daily Mail, Fry continued: 'It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her I am afraid. I am not saying that she not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. She seems to be a lost cause for us.' 'I am sorry because I always liked her company,' he added. 'I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened, and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now.' He continued by saying that Rowling's 'contemptuous' comments 'add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.' Stephen Fry spoke in the aftermath of the UK Supreme Court ruling in April that determined that 'woman' meant a biological female and not gender. Lord Hodge said the five Supreme Court justices had unanimously decided that 'the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex.' Many expressed fears that the ruling could put trans and non-binary people in danger. Stonewall's chief executive Simon Blake said that the ruling 'will be incredibly worrying for the trans community and all of us who support them.' Meanwhile, Rowling celebrated the ruling by posting a picture of herself smoking a cigar on her yacht. Fry's recent comments have been met with a torrent of bile online... ... as well as some support, highlighting quite how divisive the issue remains. Fry is not the only former Harry Potter star to speak out and criticise Rowling's continued hateful rhetoric. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have all spoken out against her controversial views. Last year, Radcliffe told The Atlantic that Rowling's views 'make me really sad', adding: 'Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.' Watson expressed her support, stating: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are." Meanwhile Rupert Grint said: "I firmly stand with the trans community... Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment." Rowling previously said that she wouldn't forgive the Harry Potter stars who have criticised her views. 'Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,' she wrote on X. Earlier this year, Rowling reignited tensions with the actors by taking an indirect jab at Radcliffe, Watson and Grint. In March, she was asked: 'What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?' Rowling replied: 'Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.' By contrast, Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the franchise, said he remains 'grateful' to Rowling. 'I'm not really that attuned,' said Felton. 'The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world. Here I am in New York. And I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she's responsible for that. So I'm incredibly grateful.' His comments sparked a wave of differing reactions - some applauded him for what they called a 'classy response,' while others condemned his words as 'atrocious,' 'spineless,' and 'disappointing.' Should an artist's faith determine what happens to their work when they die? The death of one of France's most successful rappers has raised this question. French rapper Werenoi, whose real name was Jérémy Bana Owona, died on 17 May 2025, aged 31. He was France's top album seller in 2023 and 2024, and his death shocked both the music industry and the public. 'Rest in peace my man. A news that saddens me and courage to the loved ones especially', popstar Aya Nakamura wrote on social media. Following the release of his first song 'Guadalajara' in 2021, Werenoi quickly rose to great success. His 2024 album 'Carré' was named best rap album at the Flammes Awards, and he was the opening act for Burna Boy at the Stade de France in April. With more than 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, he was an example of a vibrant francophone music scene that keeps growing worldwide, according to the platform's new report on francophone content. Culture minister Rachida Dati called the rapper 'the icon of a generation.' 'In an age of overexposure and ever-present social media, he had opted for privacy. Cultivating discretion, he revealed himself only through his lyrics', Dati said in a statement on 20 May. One of the only known facts about Werenoi's private life was his faith. The rapper was Muslim. In the hours following his death, debates erupted on social media over what should be done with his music according to Islam. 'Werenoi was a Muslim, and we invite you to listen to his music as little as possible, out of respect for his faith," online rap publication Raplume said in a social media post that has since been deleted. 'Avoid streaming Werenoi's tracks, he was a Muslim, it's for his faith', one user said on X. A tribute to the artist by French rap radio station Skyrock elicited similar criticism. Other fans felt that listening to Werenoi's music was a way of paying their respects and ensuring that his legacy lives on. 'When he was alive, Werenoi was making music, going on Skyrock and selling albums, so it's only natural that when he dies, the rap world should pay tribute to him by playing his music', one user wrote on X. The rapper's team and relatives have not publicly weighed in on the debate, leaving fans to decipher mixed messages. Werenoi's music videos were removed from YouTube, but the audio versions still remain available on the platform. A source close to the rapper told French newspaper Le Parisien that the videos had only been temporarily hidden to allow the family to grieve. Werenoi's producer later denied this claim. Rumours even said the artist's entire discography would soon disappear from all streaming platforms, but this has yet to happen. The teachings of Islam are up to interpretation. Many on social media argue that music is haram, meaning it is forbidden by Islamic law. Listening to Werenoi's music after his death would bring him sins in his grave. But the word 'music' does not actually appear in the Quran and many artists around the world are practising Muslims. 'The prohibition of music by some branches of Islam is not based on any consensus but rather on controversial interpretations of certain suras and hadiths [statements attributed to the prophet Muhammad]', musicologist Luis Velasco-Pufleau wrote in a 2017 blogpost. Fundamentalist Islamic movements like Salafism and Wahhabism strictly prohibit music while other traditions, like Sufism, are more lenient. There have been similar controversies in the past. The death in 2019 of British rapper Cadet, who converted to Islam at 15, also ignited online discussions on the future of his music - much to the dismay of some users. 'When anyone else passes away Muslims will send their condolences as normal... But when it's a Muslim [rapper] we go into theological debates about sharing his music etc', London-based imam Shabbir Hassan posted on X (then Twitter) at the time. 'Just take a lesson from his death and make du'a [a Muslim prayer] for him. That will benefit us/him the most.' For some, this question tends to be overly politicised. 'It's fascinating how cultural topics can raise this kind of political and religious debates,' streamer iliesomg said on decolonial YouTube channel Paroles d'honneur. He said that listening to Werenoi's music should be a personal decision for Muslim believers, guided by their own approach to spirituality. Numbers show that Werenoi's audience, Muslim or not, does not seem ready to let go of his art. Sales for his last album 'Diamant noir', released in April, rose by 72% in the week after his death, making it the most listened album in France.
