The BBC's annual Russell Prize, announced on Monday, 21 December, triggered a controversy with the nomination including author JK Rowling, for a blog post where she ‘defended’ her right to speak about trans issues. The essay drew widespread criticism for being ‘transphobic’, soon after it was published in June 2020.
In her essay, Rowling made remarks about classification of trans women as women, and spoke about her history of sexual abuse in an attempt to put context to her previous comments.
The celebrated author of the “Harry Potter” series, wrote in the essay:
“I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe. When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman — and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones — then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside,” she wrote in the essay.JK Rowling