Trans-identifying Scottish Green Party candidate Sophie Molly tangled with “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling in a brief exchange on X, and things did not appear to go as planned.
The spat began with a post from Rowling announcing how proud she was to be a part of the soon-to-be-released book “The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht: Voices From the Front-Line of Scotland’s Battle for Women’s Rights.”
“I’m very proud to have contributed an essay to this book, alongside many women I’m proud to call my friends. For non-Scots, ‘wheesht’ means ‘be quiet’ or ‘hush up’, but I suspect you could have worked that out from the context …” Rowling posted on Thursday.
I’m very proud to have contributed an essay to this book, alongside many women I’m proud to call my friends.
For non-Scots, ‘wheesht’ means ‘be quiet’ or ‘hush up’, but I suspect you could have worked that out from the context… https://t.co/EpcDW3CTmf
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 16, 2024
On Saturday, Molly responded — and in addition to claiming that the book was “deeply transphobic,” complained that anyone who was “gender critical” was taking away rights from those who identify as transgender.
“This book is deeply transphobic. It puts the safety of all trans people at risk. Promoting hate does nothing but harm society. Trans people are not removing anyone’s rights. The Gender Critical have removed trans people’s right to feel safe in public spaces,” Molly posted.
This book is deeply transphobic. It puts the safety of all trans people at risk. Promoting hate does nothing but harm society. Trans people are not removing anyone’s rights. The Gender Critical have removed trans people’s right to feel safe in public spaces. https://t.co/0UhMtk7lOZ
— Sophie Molly 💚🏳️🌈😸 (@SophieMolly_SG) May 18, 2024
Rowling replied on Sunday, pointing out the fact that Molly was passing judgment on a book that had not yet been published.
“.@SophieMolly_SG I’m seriously impressed that you’ve been able to read and review an unpublished book of which there are currently only two copies in existence, neither of which have been lent to you,” Rowling said in her follow-up post on X.
.@SophieMolly_SG I’m seriously impressed that you’ve been able to read and review an unpublished book of which there are currently only two copies in existence, neither of which have been lent to you. pic.twitter.com/NLJ64W1pGX
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 19, 2024
“I can say with absolute certainty that you are a transphobe. It’s basic biology,” Molly said in a later post directed at Rowling.
The author replied, “Really interesting campaign you’re running. I shall follow your political journey with interest.”
Really interesting campaign you’re running. I shall follow your political journey with interest.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 19, 2024
Molly kept trying, replying to Rowling again: “And yes of course I know she’s being sarcastic. I’m just humouring her. Terrible writer. I am superior with the English vonacular [sic].”
“My English vonacular is indeed very rusty,” Rowling replied.
Molly later edited the post, blaming “autocorrect” for spelling “vernacular” incorrectly.