On the 3rd Anniversary of J.K. Rowling’s Pledge for Trans Rights
She ‘would’ have marched with us, but when?
On June 6, 2023, we solemnly observe the third anniversary of J.K. Rowling’s pledge to march for trans rights.
Rowling supporters commonly cite this tweet as proof that she supports trans rights.
In doing so, they primarily support Rowling, not trans people, since they are primarily concerned with the perceptions, experiences, and opinions of Rowling rather than those of trans people. Hence, my intentional choice of the words “Rowling supporters,” by my own assessment as well as theirs. Their chosen hashtag is #IStandWithJKRowling, not #IMarchWithTransPeople.
As for the claim that Rowling supports trans rights, the time-elapse reveals otherwise. “I’d march with you” is a pledge. The pledge’s condition “if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans” has been satisfied. Three years have passed. The pledge has not been and plainly will never be met.
You might call the original statement a “lie,” or “bluster” or “bullshit,” or just “PR.” Those terms depend on precise assessments of…
