JK Rowling has sparked controversy by openly challenging Scotland’s recently enacted hate crime law through a series of defiant social media posts.
The Harry Potter author, who lives in Edinburgh, took aim at the legislation by daring authorities to arrest her if they believe her statements violate the law.
Rowling referred to several transgender ‘women’ as men, including convicted prisoners, trans activists, and other male public figures who ‘identify’ as female. She defended ‘freedom of speech and belief’, arguing that criminalising accurate descriptions of biological sex would signify its demise.
Scotland’s Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, which came into effect recently, introduces a new offense of ‘stirring up hatred’ related to various protected characteristics, including transgender identity. Notably, the law does not currently extend protection to women as a group from hatred, although the Scottish government plans to address this through a separate misogyny law.
Rowling’s criticism intensified on the day the legislation took effect, where she accused Scottish lawmakers of prioritising the feelings of individuals identifying as female over the rights and freedoms of actual women and girls.
Citing specific criminal cases involving transgender individuals, Rowling referred to them as men, daring authorities to arrest her.
While Police Scotland confirmed no complaints had been received regarding Rowling’s posts, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak voiced support for freedom of speech, cautioning against criminalising factual statements on biology.
Under the new law individuals can face up to seven years in jail for communicating material deemed threatening or abusive with the intention of stirring up hatred based on ‘protected characteristics’. The legislation broadens existing laws on crimes which are ‘aggravated by prejudice towards protected characteristics’, with a lower bar for offenses such as ‘insulting behaviour’.
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf reiterated the law’s purpose in combating what he considers a ‘rising tide of hatred’ in society.
Great lady . She has “balls” !!!
And don t dare to contradict me !😅
Like this woman, she’s pushing back, as we all should be. They know darn well what they are doing is illogical and on a certain level wrong but they are still going to try it on using lawfare….
Scotland is done for, most living in England could give a f*** about them but the Scots bitch and moan that they want to be independent. Do it for gods sake, put a bigger wall up. This law will not last long.