The Rowling Question
The Urban Dictionary define TERFS as:
TERF
Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist. That group of feminists that claims that trans women aren't really women, as biological determinism is only a fallacy when it used against them, not when they use it against others.
I was really shocked when I learned that J.K. Rowling had aligned herself with TERFS. James has not been the first person to mention it. I had always had JK pegged as an Ally of the LGBTQ community. It was a surprise, to tell you the truth, and I wondered if my being a huge Harry Potter fan had been a mistake. Had I misinterpreted the subtext? Had I been delusional when I thought there was an LGBTQ allegory in the books? What was I gonna do with my Harry Potter vs. Voldemort figurines? And after watching Mr. Somerton's video I still had questions.
When someone you hold in high esteem reveals themselves to be an absolute nightmare, someone who goes against something that you hold dear, what do you do? Do you try to understand their motivations? Do you blast their asses into the stratosphere and call them what they obviously are? Do you burn all their books? Do you boycott their movies? Do you keep quiet? What's the right thing to do?
I still have my Harry Potter books, of course. Yo have seen them around my basement garden apartment. I don't plan on burning them. I still have my Harry/Valdemort figurines in my office. I still watch the Harry Potter movies when they're streaming. I did not buy Rowling's latest book, though, both because now I have another opinion of her and because I too, find the subject problematic. That was a double whammy of fuckery I was not ready to overlook. And the thing is that I think she grew as a writer throughout the Harry Potter series. I think her rags-to-riches story is fascinating and cool. But I just can't with the contradiction of somebody who calls themselves an Ally and then goes on and uses their platform (her twitter account and her personal blog) to try and justify their harmful opinions. I just can't.
You see, the thing is that I know Trans people. I have friends who have transitioned during our time being friends and I know people who have transitioned early and late in life. I work with Trans people. What Rowling is saying and the opinions she retweets and publishes are hurtful to them. Those opinions by somebody with such a huge platform rob Trans people of their humanity and make them an easier target for hatred. For all the mental acrobatics I could come up to justify her posts and tweets, there's actually breathing, living people I know who are affected by what she says. And they are my friends and acquaintances. I just cannot be neutral or overlook what she has said and written about.
I guess sometimes we do need to make up our minds and decide what is it that we have to do when someone spouses beliefs we find harmful or abhorrent, right? My friend says that's called being a grown up.
XOXO
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It's sad to see her ignorance, especially given, as you say, the LGBTQ+ subtext in her books. And didn't she say Dumbledore was gay? You can't call yourself an lgbTq+ ally and denigrate the T.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked, to tell you the truth.
DeleteAnd she did say that about Dumbledore, but then tamed down the content of the movie where he was supposed to 'come out'. Ugh.
XOXO
I love that you take on the hard stuff. Re: RK. Never liked her stuff. She's a passable writer who got lucky. Period. I think her stuff is borderline adolescent. That said... I don't understand the hills people choose to die on. Why draw lines? What purpose does this serve? Her opinion means nothing to me. It contradicts everything else she believes in. And... it's stupid. It's a stupid distinction. If we love and except... then why define? First off? None of our biz. Wot's it to ya? Seriously. How does it impact your life? Your journey, RK? This is the thing with opinions and celebs. Their words should hold no more weight than your Aunt Tracy's. And when Aunt Tracy says ignorant sh*t, you correct her and educate. But if Aunt Tracy wants to be an a-hole? What difference does it make? You know she's full of crap. So... she's like 52% of America. Does RK have more responsibility than Aunt Tracy. Yes. She's been shaping small minds for a couple of centuries now. So shame on her and who cares. People know the truth. And the truth speaks louder. That's why it always eventually wins. I do find it telling that RK is such a poor writer that she can't even fully articulate her stance. Anyway. The Boyfriend was a big fan and is pissed at her, too. Me? I've never contributed a penny to her. She's a bore and a snore as far as I am concerned. And now? Apparently very, very over. Kizzes. Adore your blog.
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteLove your shade! RK? LOL
And the thing is, I also think that she's a passable writer of YA lit. Nothing too Pulitzer worthy, right? But she's made MILLIONS and has tons of fans and followers on social media. I hold her responsible for her opinions, mangled and all.
I'm with the boyfriend here. I'm pissed at her too.
You're too kind, Upton.
XOXO
It was shocking when she revealed her TERF-ism. Like you said, she created this accepting world and then just burned it to the ground. It’s amazing what money does to people. Yes she got lucky like Upton said. She captured lightening in a bottle. But she has burned her bridges and revealed her true self.
ReplyDeleteXOXO 👨❤️💋👨
She did burn her bridges with me. ALL of them.
DeleteAnd you are right, it's the money. She does not need it anymore, she does not need her 'fans' to buy her books. Her and sher descendants are set for life, so no fear of a backlash or being called a bigot.
So disappointing.
XOXO
OK - Some one explain these phrases of the sentence to me: "...as biological determinism is only a fallacy when it used against them, not when they use it against others." Because I cannot make sense of it.
ReplyDeleteWas never a huge Harry Potter fan. Haven't read any of them, I've seen snippets of the films. I must agree with the Tweet reply by BoxOfficeBuzz, and Rowling should know the difference between sex and gender (though the snarkiness of "Karen" demeans the response) - even though the words do get used within the same context quite often.
I think what has happened with her is she misspoke and each attempt to walk it back digs a deeper hole. Because she's speaking on a subject she doesn't know. However, if SHE feels erased, are we supposed to say "Too bad, so sad. Go fuck yourself."? IDK. XOXO
Ok, so this is how I understand it: TERFS use the chromosome excuse to exclude Trans women, but bristle at that same excuse being used on THEM to declare that they are the 'weaker sex' for example.
DeleteI was a huge fan. Loved the books. Went to see all the movies. Bought the merch. Totally sucked in.
And I think she said what she said because she meant it. As Upton says, she does not seem too proficient at expressing herself. And she's a writer!!
And she does not feel erased. The proof is in the tweets.
XOXO
I'm not particularly conflicted by JK Rowling's anti-trans stance because I was never much of a Harry Potter fan in the first place. Where the TERF controversy hits me in the heart, though, is in the area of women's spirituality. TERF-ism has split the movement into those of us who accept trans women as sisters in our circles, and those who don't. Some elders of the movement who I deeply respect, like Z Budapest, are die-hard TERFs. It hurts to reassess admired people in light of revealed bigotry. But to me, the lives and experience of trans women must be viewed as valid women's experience and they should be welcomed as equals within the women's spirituality movement.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't even get me started on the appalling view within the lesbian community that trans men are causing the "erasure" of lesbians and women. What a hateful view.
Oh, yes.
DeleteThe TERFS and their ideas have broken havoc everywhere. They're hateful. Old-school feminists have fallen for the fallacy, too. Even with tons of evidence of the contrary and science against them. It's a losing game.
I had no idea of their ideas on Trans men, though. Whoa. Erasure? How? When? Who?
XOXO
Statistically, nearly all women who transition from female to male go through a stage where they present and identify as butch lesbians. See, e.g., Elliot Page as a recent example. Historically, when hormone treatment and surgeries were not possible, this is where trans men stayed -- as butch lesbians. Well, now this is just a stage and not the end point. So some lesbians and probably most TERFs accuse the trans men movement of "wiping out" butch lesbians and "erasing" women. It's very ignornant.
DeleteThat argument does not even make sense. Also, only 'passing' Trans men are Transgender? Really, really backwards.
DeleteXOXO
Never heard of her.
ReplyDeleteLMAOOOOO
DeletePerfect shade, Jimmy.
Perfect. I could almost see the Mariah gif.
LOL
XOXO
"When someone you hold in high esteem reveals themselves to be an absolute nightmare" I think this is more common then we think from public figures. They say they are LGBTQ and gay allies, but what they do and say in their inner sanctums is a different story sometime. I think many keep their opinions to their selves.
ReplyDeleteA quote from Queer As Folk always sticks with me from Brian Kinny. Its us and them. They say they except us, but given a chance they will stab us in the back." And she proves it.
She's just plain ignorant and there is no meds to correct that. Never a fan of her, or read her books.
You are so right.
DeleteSo absolutely right. And that's my beef with the corporations and their Pride this and Pride that. It's all lip service to sell more. Consumerism and Capitalism know no shame. Brian in QAF was right. It's us and them.
OXOX