Author J.K. Rowling has gained another defender amid her criticism of transgender women on the same day a new law in Scotland went into effect.
The new law, the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, forbids “stirring up hatred” against people who are defined by several characteristics, including sexual orientation and identifying as transgender. Rowling spoke out against this new law on social media, with United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak backing her up, stating that the U.K.’s Conservative Party would always seek to protect free speech.
“People should not be criminalised for stating simple facts on biology,” Sunak said in a statement. “We believe in free speech in this country, and Conservatives will always protect it.”
Rowling, best known for writing the Harry Potter book series, took to social media on Monday to criticize Scotland’s new law, arguing that defining the word “woman” to include men who identify as women has had “serious consequences” for the safety of women in Scotland. She also warned that free speech would be over in Scotland if referring to people by their biological sex is a crime.
“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,” Rowling joked on X.
Scotland police have since clarified that it has received several complaints regarding Rowling’s statement, but that no action would be taken regarding them. Rowling shared the news from police on social media, stating she hopes women who want to stand for reality will be reassured by this.
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Rowling has been no stranger to criticism of transgender ideology, writing against the topic on social media several times in recent years. Her stance on the topic has divided many of her fans, with the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle removing any mentions of her name.
The viewpoints of Rowling have not deterred sales for the Harry Potter franchise, however, as the e-book publisher of the series crossed $11.9 million in sales last year, up from the $7 million it grossed in 2022. Similarly, the video game Hogwarts Legacy, based on the magical franchise, sold over 22 million copies in the United States last year, putting it ahead of other popular games like Call of Duty.