Taking a strong stand against Scotland’s new hate crime law, JK Rowling has dared the country’s police to arrest her if they believe she has committed an offense by referring to several transgender women as men.
The famous author of the Harry Potter series has warned that if describing someone’s biological sex accurately gets outlawed, “freedom of speech and belief” would also come to an end.
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021
According to Scotland’s first minister, Hamza Yosuf, the new law has been brought in place to address a “rising tide of hatred.”
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 introduces a new kind of offense that involves “stirring up hatred” in relation to age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity, and being intersex.
Misogyny Law May Be Introduced Later On
The new legislation does not offer women as a collective group any protection against expressions of hatred on the basis of their gender.
It is expected that the Scottish government will be adding a misogyny law later on to safeguard the interests of women.
Rowling Has Been a Vocal Critic of Transgender Activism
Rowling has been a vocal critic for certain transgender activism for a while now. The day the new legislation came into effect, Rowling posted on X expressing her views on the matter.
Rowling wrote, “In passing the Scottish Hate Crime Act, Scottish lawmakers seem to have placed higher value on the feelings of men performing their idea of femaleness, however misogynistically or opportunistically, than on the rights and freedoms of actual women and girls.”
Rowling Believes “Freedom of speech and belief” Cannot Survive If the New Law Get Implemented
In the scathing post on X, Rowling wrote, “It is impossible to accurately describe or tackle the reality of violence and sexual violence committed against women and girls, or address the current assault on women’s and girls’ rights, unless we are allowed to call a man a man.”
Expressing her concerns regarding the survival of freedom of speech, Rowling said, “Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal.”
Rowling Is Ready to Be Arrested
In the same post on X, Rowling dared the police to arrest her if she has really committed an offense by calling transgender women men and by expressing her views on the new law.
Rowling wrote, “I’m currently out of the country, but if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.”
Siobhian Brown Has Said Rowling’s Post May Get Reported and Investigated
Talking to The Telegraph about Rowling’s posts, Scotland’s community safety minister, Siobhian Brown, said, “It could be reported and it could be investigated.”
Brown added, “Whether or not the police would think it was criminal is up to Police Scotland for that.”
The New Legislation Came Into Effect on Monday
The new law came into effect in Scotland on Monday. Even though Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, the country has its own police force and distinct legal system.
Rowling was born in England but she has spent the vast majority of her life residing in Scotland. Over the years, Rowling has become increasingly more engaged in political issues.
Rowling Posted Pictures of High-Profile Transgender Individuals
Rowling posted several pictures of prominent transgender individuals mocking them on their claims that they are women.
Posting pictures of Beth Douglas, a high-profile transgender woman, Rowling wrote, “Scotland’s Hate Crime Act comes into effect today. Women gain no additional protections, of course, but well-known trans activist Beth Douglas, darling of prominent Scottish politicians, falls within a protected category.”
Rowling Sarcastically Called Isla Bryson “Lovely Scottish Lass”
Rowling posted pictures of Isla Bryson sarcastically commenting, “Lovely Scottish lass and convicted double rapist Isla Bryson found her true authentic female self shortly before she was due to be sentenced.”
Rowling added, “Misgendering is hate, so respect Isla’s pronouns, please. Love the leggings!”
Rowling Slams Transgender Samantha Norris
Featuring a picture of Samantha Norris, Rowling wrote, “Samantha Norris was cleared of exposing her penis to two 11-year-old girls. Hooray!”
With a heavy dose of sarcasm, Rowling further added, “Unfortunately she was then convicted for possession of 16,000 images of children being raped and sexually assaulted. Be that as it may, Sam’s still a lady to me!”
Rowling Talked About “Scottish Woman and Butcher Amy George”
Posting pictures of Amy George, Rowling wrote, “Scottish woman and butcher Amy George abducted an 11-year-old girl while dressed in female clothing.”
Rowling added, “No idea why this was mentioned in court – of course she was wearing women’s clothing, she’s a woman! Amy took the girl home and sexually abused her over a 27-hour period.”
Rowling Highlighted the Issue of Sending a Transgender Individual to Women’s Prison
Posting a picture of Katie Dolatowski, Rowling wrote, “Fragile flower Katie Dolatowski, 6’5″, was rightly sent to a women’s prison in Scotland after conviction.”
Rowling added, “This ensured she was protected from violent, predatory men (unlike the 10-year-old girl Katie sexually assaulted in a women’s public bathroom.)”
Rowling Commented On the Issue of Transgender People Playing Women’s Sports
Rowling also touched upon the highly controversial issue of allowing transgender individuals to play women’s sports. Posting a picture of Guilia Valentino, Rowling wrote, “But most women aren’t axe-toters or sex offenders, so let’s talk role models!”
Rowling added, “Guilia Valentino (in red) wanted to play on the women’s team ‘because of sisterhood, validation and political visibility’. Naturally, she was given some boring cis girl’s place. Yay for inclusion!”
Rowling’s Post Hasn’t Been Reported Yet
Scottish police stated that they have not received any complaints over Rowling’s posts yet.
The highest penalty for the new law is a seven-year jail sentence.
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