Author J.K. Rowling fired back after she was accused of “cruelty” for referring to a trans-identifying male soccer manager as a “straight, white bloke.”
Rowling was responding to a since-deleted post on X cheering the promotion of a trans-identifying referred — who goes by the name Lucy Clark — to manager at Sutton United. According to The Daily Mail, that post read, “Lucy Clark, the world’s first openly transgender referee, has made history by becoming the first trans manager in the top five divisions of English women’s football.”
“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,” Rowling 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. https://t.co/jx9zp0hRyU
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 11, 2024
Trans-identifying broadcaster — and regular Rowling-critic — India Willoughby responded to Rowling by attempting to get law-enforcement involved: “JK Rowling singling out another trans woman for ridicule tonight, leading to thousands of abusive messages. But British Media insist JK’s not transphobic, she just has ‘an opinion.’ The police @metpoliceuk @northumbriapol ignore. At what point do they act?”
Others accused her of transphobia and “cruelty,” prompting a report from The Daily Mail headlined, “JK Rowling is accused of cruelty as she mocks transgender football manager by comparing her to a ‘straight, white, middle-aged bloke.’”
Rowling made it clear that she wasn’t impressed, responding, “I didn’t compare him to one. He IS one.”
I didn’t compare him to one. He IS one. https://t.co/LUqXuSjktV
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2024
The “Harry Potter” author went on to further defend her position, saying as she has in the past that she would not bow to the whims of men who were “caricaturing” women.
“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,” she said.
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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2024
New York Magazine’s Jonathan Chait attempted to scold Rowling, saying, “Just call people what they want to be called. It’s basic decency.”
Stop telling women what they’re allowed to say, Jonathan. It’s basic decency.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2024
“Stop telling women what they’re allowed to say, Jonathan,” Rowling replied. “It’s basic decency.”
