JK Rowling has launched a blistering attack on former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, accusing her of 'rewriting history' over the controversial gender self-ID law. The Harry Potter author rejected Sturgeon's claims that opposition to the bill was driven by 'forces' with a broader agenda, insisting it was ordinary members of the public who objected.
Sturgeon, in recent media interviews, suggested that there was no 'massive public opposition' to the Gender Recognition Reform Bill until after it passed, and that 'forces muscled in' on the debate. Rowling responded on social media, saying Sturgeon's 'ego requires her signature Bill to have been opposed by something she considers a worthy adversary, rather than members of the public who don't want cross-dressing men running rape crisis centres.'
Scottish women's groups, including For Women Scotland and the Scottish Feminist Network, have also demanded Sturgeon name the 'forces' she referred to. Susan Smith, Co-Director of For Women Scotland, said Sturgeon's words could cause 'reputational damage' to groups like hers and called on the former First Minister to 'spell out what she means.'
Sturgeon's self-ID law would have allowed anyone over 16 in Scotland to change their legal sex via a simple declaration. It was ultimately blocked by the UK government and never enacted. Rowling suggested Sturgeon be given a copy of 'The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht', a collection of essays on the subject to which Rowling contributed.
