Despite Rowling’s proposition being a non sequitur, she is correct that “woman is not an idea in a man’s head.” The majority of men, rational men at least, know that the definition of a woman is an adult human female. The definition of a woman she refers to in her topsy-turvy proposition is that of feminists who subscribe to queer theory and their half-baked metaphysics that spawned gender identity and expression. The belief that people have gendered souls is a feminist invention made into a sacred cow by the Woke with their triune doctrine of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (more aptly known as Division, Iniquity and Exclusion). Yes, it was queer feminists such as Judith Butler and barbara findlay (she insists on spelling her name without capital letters) who fashioned gender identity and expression. 

findlay [sic] is known for representing Kimberley Nixon, a male-to-female transgender person, who sued Vancouver Rape Relief over their decision not to have Nixon as a volunteer. Nixon and findlay lost their case when the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of Vancouver Rape Relief. Still, in defeat, findlay stated for the record,

It was absolutely worth it because of the impact this case [has had] on feminism and women’s groups in Canada. We have been able to serve as a catalyst for the women’s movement. Almost all of the women’s centres in Canada are now trans-inclusive. So Kimberly has changed the world for trans women. I think Kimberly is a hero, having pursued this case with dignity and single-minded determination-though she had to endure the glare of media attention and the derision of women’s groups in doing so. (WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre)

To a lesser extent, some radical feminists, such as Michele Landsberg, lent it credence when she stated,

WHAT MAKES a woman? If a man cuts off his penis, pumps himself full of hormones, gets silicone breasts and electrolysis, and stuffs his feet into high heels, is he/she a woman? […]

Being female is a complicated mixture of physiology, cultural conditioning and lived experience – or even, as one academic thesis would have it, “a political category created through oppression.” Out of politeness, I’d be willing to call that surgically altered person a woman and use the feminine pronoun. But a part of me will always feel outraged that “woman” could be defined as an outward set of physical characteristics – lack of penis, fake breasts – along with an ultra-sexist “female impersonator” style of clothing and gesture.” (Rape crisis centre in B.C. endures assault)

Rowling is a successful author and internationally renowned public figure. She sits atop a personal fortune and yet still feels that she is victimized for being female. That is part and parcel of believing in feminism; you perceive everything around you through the veil of the victim. One of the pitfalls of fame is that you draw the attention of many different people, and not all of them are fans. Also, when you take a stand on current events from a personal perspective (feminist in her case) and express your thoughts freely, some people are bound to take exception. I do not doubt that she receives death and rape threats, which is reprehensible. She also receives criticism for her views on feminism and gender identity and expression from feminists. Emma Watson, a noted feminist and acquaintance of Rowling, had this to say about Rowling’s views on gender identity and expression in 2020, “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are. I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are. I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash. If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same. Happy #PRIDE2020 Sending love x.” (Elle) Are we to conclude that Watson’s criticism of Rowling’s views is for no other reason than she is a woman? 

Daniel Radcliffe, also an acquaintance of Rowling, whose sympathies lay with the queer community, had this to say of Rowling’s views on gender identity and expression, The reason I felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing Potter, I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that […] And so seeing them hurt on that day I was like, I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important.” (Daily Mail) Radcliffe is a man, obviously, and he believes in the tenets of gender identity and expression, that whether you are a man or a woman is determined by self-identification, not biological sex. I do not know if Radcliffe is a feminist, queer or otherwise, but again, is his condemnation of Rowling’s views for no other reason than she is a woman?

The answer to the question is no. It is not because Rowling is female that she is criticized for her views on feminism and gender identity and expression. I do not know for sure what Rowling thinks about men joining the discussion of what is the definition of a woman. Still, I gleaned from her public comments that the difference is that she feels that men are not only to blame for the situation but have no business joining the discussion on feminism and gender identity and expression because just being men disqualifies them from participating. The irony of that point of view is lost on her and feminists in general that discrimination based on sex is wrong when it is women but reasonable when it is men. Currently, it is feminists who cannot agree on the definition of a woman. Sure, some individual men side with the queer feminists in the public quarrel with radical feminists such as J. K. Rowling over the meaning. And yes, some men took advantage of gender identity politics to invade women’s sports and single-sex spaces. Still, it does not follow that the definition of a woman based on gender identity and expression exists in men’s minds. It was not men who invented gender ideology and expression. However, despite the difference of opinion on the definition of a woman, the one thing feminists agree on is that men are to blame. J. K. Rowling’s problem is that she cannot get past her contempt for men and her sense of victimization to look objectively at the mess feminists made with their obsession with gender neutrality and gender identity and expression.

Posted by Geoffrey