Harry Potter author JK Rowling has criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after she appointed veteran Labor leader Harriet Harman as a Downing Street adviser on women and girls, citing Harman’s previous statements on trans women as part of a wider confrontation over gender identity politics in Britain.The appointment has reopened a long-running divide over gender and sexual definitions in British public life, with Rowling accusing the government of ignoring the concerns of biological women.
Starmer appoints Harriet Harman as women’s adviser
Starmer announced Harman’s appointment on social media, praising her as a longtime advocate for women and girls and saying she would help expand opportunities for women in public life.Harman, one of the most senior figures in the Labor Party and a former deputy leader of the party, has previously expressed inclusive views on gender identity, saying in 2022 that trans women are women, while also acknowledging biological differences.Harman’s appointment – ​​given her inclusive stance on trans women – has become a talking point for critics, who argue that Labor is not clearly defining its position on gender issues.
Rowling’s sharp response: ‘Define what you defend’
Rowling strongly criticized the decision and argued that Harman’s previous stance reflected political hesitation to clearly define womanhood.Responding online, Rowling said: “You can’t defend what you’re afraid to define.”She later said that those willing to challenge what she called “gender ideology” in politics lack the courage to defend women’s rights.Rowling also accused Labor of alienating female voters who expect stronger protections in single-sex venues.
Rowling’s long-standing stance on trans issues
The controversy is linked to Rowling’s continued public positions on gender identity, which have made her one of the most prominent voices in the debate over trans rights in the UK.In 2020, Rowling publicly defended biological sex as “immutable” and argued that women’s rights should be protected in single-sex spaces.She also supported researcher Maya Forstater after she lost her job due to gender-critical views, writing at the time that women should be free to raise concerns about gender-based rights without fear of being labeled radicals.Rowling has said that she supports protections for trans people but is concerned about the impact of gender self-identification policies on women’s safety and privacy.
