JK Rowling challenges Scotland’s new hate crime law and makes transphobic comments: ‘Eager to be arrested’

J.K. Rowling. (Photo: Getty)

JK Rowling, author of the “Harry Potter” book series, was involved in another controversy related to transphobia. In this Monday (1st), the writer challenged Scotland’s new hate crime law in a series of social media posts, telling police to arrest her if they believe she committed a crime. The writer, who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, is known for opposing the trans rights movement.

Rowling has once again described transgender women as men. On X (formerly Twitter), she cited activists and declared: “Obviously, the people mentioned in the above tweets are not women, but men.”. She further said that “freedom of expression and belief” would come to an end if “the precise description of biological sex was prohibited“.

“I’m out of the country, but if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offense under the new law, I’m looking forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment“, he declared and added, criticizing the law: “Scottish lawmakers appear to have placed more value on the feelings of men who realize their idea of ​​femininity, however misogynistic or opportunistic, than on the rights and freedoms of real women and girls.“.

“It is impossible to accurately describe or confront the reality of violence and sexual violence committed against women and girls, or to address the current assault on the rights of women and girls, unless we can call a man a man.”she continued.

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The Hate Crimes and Public Order Law was created in 2021 and came into force this Monday. According to People, the law aims to “provide provisions on the aggravation of crimes due to prejudice“, which includes “racially aggravated harassment” It is “crime of inciting hatred against a group of people“. The maximum penalty provided for by the new law is seven years in prison.

First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, explained that the new legislation does not criminalize the debate of ideas nor does it diminish freedom of expression. “Unless your behavior is threatening or abusive and intended to incite hatred, then you have nothing to worry about in terms of the new offenses being created“, said Yousaf. According to the prime minister, the new law aims to combat a “growing wave of hatred” in the country.

He further stated that it is a strong “message to victims, perpetrators, communities and society at large that prejudice-motivated offenses will be treated seriously and will not be tolerated“.

Police Scotland said it had not received any complaints about the posts. The legislation received criticism for not including cis women as a group that could be victims of hate crimes. The government said it is drafting a specific law on misogyny.