JK Rowling will not face any action under Scotland's new hate crime law after defying it by claiming on social media that several transgender women are men, police said on Tuesday.
The Harry Potter author, a famous gender-critical activist, made the comments on Monday (1), the day the crime of “inciting hatred” related to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and identity came into force. of gender.
She was supported by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said people should not be criminalized for saying “common sense” things about biological sex.
Police Scotland said it had received complaints about Rowling's social media post.
“The comments have not been assessed as criminal and no further action will be taken,” a spokesperson said.
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said the law was about “protecting people from a rising tide of hate”.
“Unless your behavior is threatening or abusive and intended to incite hatred, you have nothing to worry about in terms of new offenses being created,” he said.
Scotland is at the forefront of expanding rights for the transgender community, but a previous attempt to make it easier to change gender legally was blocked by London over concerns it would affect existing equality legislation.
The new hate crime law has also been criticized for its impact on freedom of expression and concerns that it could be used to silence some opinions, including those of people who advocate women-only spaces.
Rowling tested the law by listing 10 trans women on the platform, including a convicted rapist, sexual abusers and famous activists, and saying they were men.
“Freedom of speech and belief is ending in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is considered criminal,” he said.
India Willoughby, the UK's first transgender news anchor and one of the people Rowling listed, questioned why anyone should “publicly mock” trans people.
“What a pathetic and sad sight. The most famous author in the world sitting up all night to write a mega-long provocative post about me because she is consumed with hatred of trans people. Completely mad,” said Willougby.
Source: CNN Brasil
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