JK Rowling blasts LGBT glossary that refers to women as 'non-men'
Author JK Rowling before being awarded a Benefactors Award by Edinburgh University
PA
JK Rowling has blasted an LGBTQ glossary produced by the John Hopkins University.
The Baltimore-based university released its glossary on the diversity and inclusion section of its website.
John Hopkins University defined lesbians as “a non-man attracted to non-men” but described a gay man as “a man who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to other men, or who identifies as a member of the gay community”.
Rowling, who rose to literary fame after penning the seven-part Harry Potter fantasy novels, responded to the academic institution on social media.
JK Rowling has been backed for speaking out on trans rightsPAThe 57-year-old said: “Man: no definition needed.
“Non-man (formerly known as woman): a being definable only by reference to the male.
“An absence, a vacuum where there’s no man-ness.”
John Hopkins University has since removed the glossary.
John Hopkins University's now taken down LGBTQ glossary
John Hopkins University
The 147-year-old university has instead replaced the glossary with a statement about the backlash and the need to better define the LGBTQ community.
Officials wrote: “Johns Hopkins strives to create a campus culture that is inclusive and welcoming for all gender identities, sexual orientations, experiences and viewpoints, and we are committed to ensuring Johns Hopkins is a place where LGBTQ people feel supported.
“The LGBTQ Glossary serves as an introduction to the range of identities and terms that are used within LGBTQ communities, and is not intended to serve as the definitive answers as to how all people understand or use these terms.
“Upon becoming aware of the language in question, we have begun working to determine the origin and context of the glossary’s definitions.
Rowling, who rose to literary fame after penning the seven-part Harry Potter fantasy novels, responded to the academic institution on social media
PA“We have removed the page from our website while we gather more information.”
Rowling has openly spoken about her view on LGBT+ issues and has been labelled transphobic by her detractors.
Daniel Radcliffe, 33, who starred as Harry Potter in the film adaptations of Rowling’s books, slammed the author in a separate debate.
He previously wrote: “While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honoured to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment. Transgender women are women.”