J.K. Rowling's tweets called out as transphobic

J.K. Rowling is continuing her descent from one of the most celebrated authors to one of the most disappointing. After years of dedication to her fans and giving advice on how to protest President Trump, Rowling is under for using Twitter to share harmful and exclusionary views on trans people.On June 6, Rowling shared an article titled Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate. The British author took issue with the headline’s semantics, implying that the word woman should be have been used instead of the generic "people who menstruate." “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people,” tweeted Rowling. “Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”[video_embed id='1744452']RELATED: Inspiring memoir follows this transgender family’s journey[/video_embed]Celebrities like Sarah Paulson, Jameela Jamil, Jonathan Van Ness, Mary Wilson and Mary Lambert responded to Rowling’s tweets, pointing out the harm that someone with such a large platform can cause by their transphobic and exclusionary message.

Word. Goodnight and shut up @jk_rowling https://t.co/Cz0U6EmPfj

— Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) June 7, 2020

Hey JK as you claim to support trans rights and this is a historical moment where we are globally discussing the impact of white supremacy on Black People, please share some of your $650million mega wealth with this charity. https://t.co/3WoGduRuSE

— Jameela Jamil ? (@jameelajamil) June 7, 2020

“To JK Rowling”: verb:To go out of your way to destroy your iconic legacy. ?

— Jameela Jamil ? (@jameelajamil) June 7, 2020

Trans women are women. Trans Black people & trans non-Black people are discriminated against every single day. They’re dying. We’re fighting for Black people & trans people and you’re doing this? https://t.co/2l5PHDCpKD

— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) June 7, 2020

You have power and influence. Why would you do this? What does it achieve? Do you feel like more of a woman when you punch down? Are you threatened? Some trans men menstruate. Why does that affect you? Why do you want to police that?

— Mary Lambert (@marylambertsing) June 6, 2020

There’s people that are dying

— Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson (@MaraWilson) June 6, 2020

Many others have also questioned Rowling’s language on Twitter and explained why menstruating doesn't determine whether a person can and should identify as a woman.The author attempted to clarify her stance following the backlash and tweeted, “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”Continuing, Rowling said that she is a longtime supporter of members of the trans community but feels that because she was born with the biological sex of a woman, her life has been shaped differently from those who identify their gender as a woman but may not have the same biology.GLAAD has also responded to Rowling’s tweets, asking for those angry about the author's message to consider donating in support of Black trans people.

If you want to direct your rightful anger over JK Rowling's latest anti-trans comments into something positive, support orgs that help Black trans people like @MPJInstitute, @blacktransusa, @TransJusticeFP, @Genderintell and @ukblackpride

— GLAAD (@glaad) June 7, 2020

This isn't the first time that Rowling's social media messages have earned backlash from the LGBTQ+ community. In December 2019, Rowling publicly supported controversial British researcher Maya Forstater who was fired from her position as a Fellow at the thinktank Centre for Global Development. A judge upheld CGD’s decision to not renew Forstater’s contract, citing her comments that “men cannot change into women” were “absolutist.”Following the judge’s decision, Rowling tweeted her support for the researcher and many have since labelled her a TERF (trans exclusive radical feminist), especially those fans who had found acceptance and a place of understanding in the author’s inclusive world of Harry Potter and were severely let-down by the author's views.[video_embed id='1972310']BEFORE YOU GO: Spike Lee is 'optimistic' about the current Black Lives Matter movement for this reason[/video_embed]