More Than 200 Members Of The Publishing Community Sign Letter In Support Of Trans And Non-Binary People
Days after a number of prominent literary names signed a letter defending JK Rowling “against hate”, more than 200 writers, publishers and journalists have signed a letter, sharing their support for trans and non-binary people.
The letter, which is described as “a message of love and solidarity for the trans and non-binary community”, was pulled together by acclaimed writers Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Daisy Johnson. It states that “non-binary lives are valid, trans women are women, trans men are men, trans rights are human rights”.
“Culture is, and should always be, at the forefront of societal change, and as writers, editors, agents, journalists, and publishing professionals, we recognise the vital role our industry has in advancing and supporting the wellbeing and rights of trans and non-binary people,” the letter reads.
Rowling’s comments on trans rights, including her argument that “if sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased”, have hurt many, while others have rallied to her defence. After the publication of her new crime novel Troubled Blood, which features a serial killer who wears women’s clothing to fool his victims, Rowling was attacked online. The novel made it to the No 1 spot on the UK book charts the following week.
As ‘The Guardian’ reports, the statement was put together in the wake of an open letter signed by 58 writers including Ian McEwan, Lionel Shriver, Susan Hill and Philip Hensher, which highlighted the abuse directed at Rowling, and the “insidious, authoritarian and misogynistic trend in social media”.
“Rowling has consistently shown herself to be an honourable and compassionate person,” said the letter, which was published in the Sunday Times at the weekend. “We are signing this letter in the hope that, if more people stand up against the targeting of women online, we might at least make it less acceptable to engage in it or profit from it.”
Although the new letter did not mention Rowling’s name, its signatories, who also include editors, agents, journalists and publishing professionals, said they recognised the importance of showing support for trans and non-binary people.
“We stand with you, we hear you, we see you, we accept you, we love you. The world is better for having you in it,” they said.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Australian Bookstore Bans Harry Potter From Bookshelves To Create A “Safe Space” For Trans Community
J.K. Rowling Promotes Anti-Trans Online Store To Her 14 Million Twitter Followers
J.K. Rowling Writes Essay Defending Her Transphobic Remarks
Daniel Radcliffe, Sarah Paulson, Jameela Jamil And More React To JK Rowling’s Transphobic Comments
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