JK Rowling 'regrets' not airing views on trans debate 'sooner' as she admits loved ones 'begged' her not to

Despite her passionate views on gender identity, Rowling has strongly denied accusations of transphobia.

Opening up on her opinions, Rowling has written a new essay which will feature in The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht, an upcoming book on Scotland's women's rights battle.

She explains in the piece how she has only one regret about speaking out: that she didn't decide to "sooner."

Rowling pens in the essay that the transgender debate is "the greatest assault of my lifetime" on women's rights.

There are only two kinds of women who pretend single-sex spaces aren't important or necessary.

I forgive the naive ones. I'm glad they've never yet experienced what too many women and girls have.

But those doing it because they crave approval from a particular brand of male... pic.twitter.com/H0bUfbAMkS

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 27, 2024

In an extract published in The Times, Rowling argues that she chose to speak up on the issue because she would have "felt ashamed for the rest of my days if I hadn't".

She goes on to say: "I'd come to believe that the socio-political movement insisting 'trans women are women' was neither kind nor tolerant, but in fact profoundly misogynistic, regressive, dangerous in some of its objectives and nakedly authoritarian in its tactics."

The writer confessed she neglected to voice her concerns sooner because "people around me, including some I love, were begging me not to speak".

"I believe that what is being done to troubled young people in the name of gender identity ideology is, indeed, a terrible medical scandal," she continued.

The piece reads: "I believe we’re witnessing the greatest assault of my lifetime on the rights our foremothers thought they’d guaranteed for all women.

"Ultimately, I spoke up because I’d have felt ashamed for the rest of my days if I hadn’t. If I feel any regret at all, it’s that I didn’t speak far sooner."

Rowling's most recent X post also got people talking as she penned: "There are only two kinds of women who pretend single-sex spaces aren't important or necessary.

"I forgive the naive ones. I'm glad they've never yet experienced what too many women and girls have.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Barry Manilow fans rush to support 80-year-old as he cancels farewell show on 'doctor's orders'
• BBC Bargain Hunt stars 'terrified' as scary item spooks team: 'Dead in the eyes!'
• ITV BGT's Ssaulabi Performance Troupe dealt huge blow to victory hopes - despite bagging finale spot

"But those doing it because they crave approval from a particular brand of male..."

In the last couple of years, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has critiqued Rowling's views, while other stars from the franchise have also distanced themselves from the author.

She was recently slammed online by a Premier League referee for labelling trans football manager Lucy Clark a "straight, middle-aged white bloke".