Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling received a lot of backlash for a message that she tweeted out on Saturday afternoon. She shared an article from "Devex" entitled “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.” She quote tweeted this saying “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"
The transgender community and their supporters were not happy. A lot of their complaints were that J.K. isn't educated on transgendered issues and therefore shouldn't speak on them. After she received much backlash for it, she responded.
“I’ve spent much of the last three years reading books, blogs and scientific papers by trans people, medics and gender specialists. I know exactly what the distinction is. Never assume that because someone thinks differently, they have no knowledge.”
In another tweet. I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.
Rowling fans then started the hashtag #IStandWithJKRowling which was trending Sunday as was #TranswomenAreWomen which began trending when activists labeled Rowling's tweets as hate speech which should be banned by Twitter.