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J.K. Rowling denies ever saying ‘there are only two genders’
The ‘Harry Potter’ author insists there is a clear difference between biology and identity
Author J.K. Rowling, a controversial figure for her outspoken views on trans issues, has waded into the debate once again, arguing that the words “sex” and “gender” cannot be used interchangeably.
Responding to an article titled ‘Poll: Most Americans Agree With JK Rowling, There are Only Two Genders’ published earlier this week by US conservative news outlet CNSNews, the writer took to Twitter on Wednesday to dispute the premise of the piece. She pointed out that she had never, in fact, asserted that there were only two genders.
“Small but important point: I’ve never said there are only two genders. There are innumerable gender identities,” Rowling said, adding, however, “The question at the heart of this debate is whether sex or gender identity should form the basis of decisions on safeguarding, provision of services, sporting categories and other areas where women and girls currently have legal rights and protections.”
The story in question had cited a recent Rasmussen Reports poll that showed that some 75% of the Americans surveyed believe “there are only two genders.” However, Rowling opined that the piece had made a similar error to that made by many of her critics, and argued that “using the words ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ interchangeably obscures the central issue of this debate.”
The author directed readers to her June 2020 essay, in which she set out her reasons for speaking out on the issue and elaborated on why she believed the two concepts had to be kept distinct in the legal realm, among other arenas.
The 3,600-word article did much back then to make Rowling a hot-button figure among trans rights activists. It had been written in response to the backlash she had received following a widely criticized post on Twitter in December 2019 in support of a woman who had lost her job over allegedly “transphobic” tweets.
At the time of the essay’s publication, Rowling reported that she had received online “accusations and threats from trans activists,” and, over a year later, these have continued. Last month, she said, her address had been posted on Twitter by “three activist actors,” who had also taken and shared photos of her home in Scotland.
“Perhaps – and I’m just throwing this out there – the best way to prove your movement isn’t a threat to women, is to stop stalking, harassing and threatening us,” Rowling wrote after the incident.
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Private schools in England refuse to admit transgender pupils
Headteachers are asking the government to issue clear guidance on trans issues
as schools adopt their own policies
More than two dozen private girls’ schools in England have said they will not “jeopardize” their status by admitting transgender students, as a teachers’ union calls on the government to provide more clarity on trans matters.
The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) updated its gender identity policy guidance in December, before sharing it with its 25 member schools.
The policy guidance document notes that GDST schools operate as single-sex institutions in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, and says, “an admissions policy based on gender identity rather than the legal sex as recorded on a student’s birth certificate” would “jeopardize” their current status of ‘girls only’ schools.
“For this reason, GDST schools do not accept applications from students who are legally male,” the guidance reads.
Applications from students who are legally female but who “identify as trans or non-binary” will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As for trans students already attending the schools, they “will be supported to remain at the school post transition as long as they wish to do so.”
While the GDST has made up its own mind (though the policy remains subject to review), the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which represents headteachers, has issued a call to the government to clarify the measures the schools should take amid the growing number of transgender ‘coming outs’.
“It is a really big issue and the lack of formal guidance for schools is something that we are concerned about,” Julie McCulloch of the ASCL told The Telegraph.
She added that the absence of national guidance puts schools in a difficult position, with education institutions finding themselves caught between different interest and lobby groups, and having to rely on contradictory recommendations.
And, not to mention, a complete abandonment of biological sciences.
McCulloch said that almost all schools now have to think about trans issues, as they involve many practical decisions – from choosing the right way to communicate with parents and peers, to deciding on which restroom trans pupils should use.
UK to address homophobic ‘wrongs of the past’
The British government will clear the criminal records of individuals convicted
of consensual homosexual activity under now-repealed laws
© Pietro Recchia / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images
The UK Home Office will wipe the criminal records of individuals who were convicted under rescinded laws that made consensual homosexual activity illegal, through new legislation aimed at righting “the wrongs of the past.”
An amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will expand the government’s disregards and pardons scheme. The new legislation will cover any repealed or abolished civilian or military offense that punished consensual sexual activity between persons of the same gender.
Individuals who received cautions or convictions that are wiped under the scheme will be granted an automatic pardon, and anyone who died before the changes will receive a posthumous pardon.
“It is only right that where offences have been abolished, convictions for consensual activity between same-sex partners should be disregarded too,” UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Tuesday.
I hope that expanding the pardons and disregards scheme will go some way to righting the wrongs of the past.
The UK government had previously come under criticism from a cross-section of political figures for failing to extend the scheme to cover the prosecution of consensual same-sex relations.
Conservative Lord Lexden described the failure to extend the pardons as “an affront to gay people.” Non-affiliated Lord Cashman called for the change to cover laws that “have immiserated the lives of gay and bisexual people.” Patel thanked both of the peers for raising the issue and pushing for the scheme’s expansion.
“We are delighted that our long campaign will at last bring many gay people, both living and deceased, the restitution they deserve,” the Lords said in a statement following the government’s announcement.
Detailing the requirements that must be met for a disregard and pardon, the Home Office said anyone involved must have been aged 16 and over and the activities must not constitute an offence today.
Good! Had me worried for a minute there.
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