White cis man Jonathan Ross defines transphobia for trans people while mass-blocking prominent LGBT+ activists
Jonathan Ross (L) has backed JK Rowling amid a torrent of criticism for the author tweets on trans lives. (Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images/Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Jonathan Ross announced Sunday evening (June 7) that he has become a representative of the entire LGBT+ community as he sought to defend JK Rowling over her comments on trans people and define what is and isn’t transphobia.
Rowling was, in recent weeks, prosaically sharing pictures doodled by children of her new book series, The Ickabog, before she suddenly weighed in on trans folk and how, she said, they’re not “discriminated against”.
And seemingly straight from the Rowling playbook, the British TV presenter innocuously tweeted that he ate “too many brownies” before abruptly proclaiming that Rowling is “right and magnificent”.
I just ate too many brownies. Again. Oh, and also. @jk_rowling is both right and magnificent.For those accusing her of transphobia, please read what she wrote. She clearly is not.
— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) June 7, 2020
“For those accusing her of transphobia,” the 59-year-old continued, “please read what she wrote.
“She clearly is not.”
Jonathan Ross: LGBT+ people slam comedian for defending JK Rowling.
Backlash immediately brewed against Ross, with many LGBT+ Twitter users flaying Ross for using his thumping platform to define what transphobia is.
https://twitter.com/KelseyEllison/status/1269696279657005057
Example 10398374849 of why CIS people cannot dictate whether something or someone is transphobic. The same way white people can’t tell Black people or POC what is or isn’t racist. https://t.co/dCs3QOq2wK— Tanya Compas (@TanyaCompas) June 7, 2020
Aah this is exactly what the discussion needed – some straight white cidsgendered male energy! https://t.co/uM4o6PEb6u— ᴊᴀᴄᴋ 👑 ✨ (@JackDMurphy) June 8, 2020
Oh yes… a straight white cis gender man telling everyone what’s considered transphobic……. 💀 https://t.co/0HJ6jalToa— Roly West (@RolyWestYT) June 8, 2020
I always knew I preferred Graham Norton. https://t.co/fN7spxDcSj
— tom suff 🦪 (@Tosuff) June 8, 2020
Bizarrely, anger also turned to confusion, as some high-profile members of the LGBT+ community, including PinkNews staffers, reported that Ross had, at some point recently, blocked them on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/junodawson/status/1269892216006283264
https://twitter.com/CalumMcSwiggan/status/1269899253595418624
So, what did JK Rowling actually say and was it ‘anti-trans’?
According to trans folk who have, you know, directly experienced and are still experiencing transphobia, yes.
Rowling, 54, amid a series of cascading tinderbox issues, from the coronavirus pandemic to the Black Lives Matter demonstrations as well as less than a week into LGBT+ Pride Month, decided now was the perfect time to hit that send button and tweet about trans folk.
The children’s book author took to Twitter Saturday evening (June 6) to comment on people’s genitalia. She focused a thread on her views of sex and gender in relation to trans people that sparked fury online.
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.— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
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.— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
Rowling’s thread was first seeded earlier that evening, when she shared an article in Devex, the media platform for the global development community, with the headline: “Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”
‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?
Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
“‘People who menstruate’,” she responded. “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
In the avalanche of tweets that followed, she sought to reassure her 14.5 million followers that she “knows and loves trans people” and claimed that the idea she hates trans people is “nonsense”.
“I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them,” wrote the writer.
“I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans,” she capped off the thread.
PinkNews has contacted Jonathan Ross’ representatives for comment.
