“Asking a Woman to Refer to Her Male Rapist as ‘She’ in Court Is State-Sanctioned Abuse”: J. K. Rowling Slams Courts’ Rule to Use Preferred Gender Pronouns

Amy LewisNov 9, 2023

Minute Read

To maintain “public confidence in the proper administration of justice,” Southern Australian courts have implemented a new policy that supports the use of preferred gender pronouns in court as a “matter of respect,” according to author J.K. Rowling.

Rowling Blasts the Move on X

In a hypothetical statement on X, Rowling attacked the action, stating, “Asking a woman to refer to her male rapist or violent assaulter as ‘she’ in court is a form of state-sanctioned abuse.” On Wednesday, the Chief Justice of South Australia released a Practice Note regarding gender pronouns and name pronunciation. The Honourable Chris Kourakis stated that it acknowledged “the correct pronunciation of names and use of the preferred gender pronoun” as “a matter of respect and is an important component of ensuring public confidence in the proper administration of justice.” Earlier this year, jurisdictions in Queensland and Victoria put similar regulations into effect.

Court Moves With the New Rule

Legal professionals and self-represented litigants will be able to advise the courts on a person’s “preferred gender pronouns and titles” through a procedure that will be facilitated by the court, per the advice.

“Insert Preferred Pronouns Directly After Name”

“A practitioner may provide guidance as to the gender pronouns of a person in square brackets directly after the name by inserting the preferred pronoun,” the practice note said. For instance, “The defendant uses the pronouns they/them” or “The defendant [they/them].”

“Female Victims of Male Violence Are Further Traumatized by Being Forced to Speak a Lie”

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In a social media post criticizing the policy, Rowling referenced articles from the publication The Australian. “Asking a woman to refer to her male rapist or violent assaulter as ‘she’ in court is a form of state-sanctioned abuse,” Rowling wrote on X, the platform that was once known as Twitter. “Female victims of male violence are further traumatized by being forced to speak a lie.”

“Misogyny, My Friend. Women’s Pain Doesn’t Count”

A commenter posed the question, “How can people treat women so cruelly? It’s sickening.” Rowling replied, “Misogyny, my friend. Women’s pain doesn’t count. They must bend the knee to men’s feelings or be punished for non-compliance.”

“Can’t Even Imagine Being Compelled to Do This. Sinister!”

“I can’t even imagine being compelled to do this. Sinister,” said a second person, to which Rowling responded, “I wouldn’t be compelled. I’d take contempt of court. It’s time for mass non-compliance with this nonsense.”

Rowling ”Happy” to Spend Time Behind Bars if Calling Someone by the Wrong Pronouns Declared Crime in UK

Rowling has frequently criticized transgender ideas and legislation. Most recently, she declared that if the UK government declared calling someone by the incorrect pronouns to be a hate crime, she would “happily” serve time in prison.

“I’ll Happily Do Two Years”

Rowling said on X, “I’ll happily do two years if the alternative is compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex,” in response to a user who informed her that, under the Labour Party, it might mean double the sentence. “Bring on the court case, I say. It’ll be more fun than I’ve ever had on a red carpet.”

Rowling Responds ”No” to ”Repeat After Us: Trans Women Are Women”

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The post was a reaction to a picture of illuminated lettering outside the Ministry of Justice in the United Kingdom, which read, “Repeat After Us: Trans Women Are Women.” Rowling replied, “No,” in another X post.

Rowling Claims Trans Activists’ Arguments Could Lead To More Women Abuse

Rowling has been vocal in her condemnation of transgender campaigners for what she perceives to be an assault on women’s rights. She said trans activists were “pushing to erode the legal definition of sex and replace it with gender” in a June 2020 writing, which she claimed would increase the mistreatment of women.

Harry Potter Star Daniel Radcliffe’s Open Letter to the Internet

Daniel Radcliffe, the erstwhile star of Harry Potter, has distanced himself from Rowling after her comments on the matter caused controversy, stating in an open letter that “transgender women are women.”

“Any Statement to the Contrary Erases the Identity and Dignity of Transgender People”

“Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.”

Radcliffe ”Deeply Sorry” for Rowling’s Comments

“To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments (from Rowling) have caused you. I really hope that you don’t entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you.”

Rowling Donates Money to British Labour Party

The subject has also sparked controversy in Australia’s right-wing politics. MP Moira Deeming was kicked out of the Victorian Liberal Party’s party room after she attended a protest in March that was critical of transgender problems, according to leader John Pesutto. Rowling has given money to the British Labour Party and shown support for left-wing politics.

Chief Justice Claims Rowling ”Misunderstood” Rule

Chief Judge Kourakis stated that Rowling seem to have “misunderstood” the rules. In order to ensure that the proceedings are performed with respect, he explained on Monday morning that “it does no more than allow lawyers and others to inform the court of the correct pronunciation of their name and their preferred gender pronoun.”

“Courts Protect Victims of Crime and Other Vulnerable Witnesses”

“However, the presiding judicial officer retains control over all forms of address used in court. For many decades, the courts of this state have taken every care to protect victims of crime and other vulnerable witnesses from the distress and trauma which might arise from their participation in a hearing.”

“Rowling’s Anxiety Is Completely Unfounded”

“A victim of crime would never be asked to address an accused person in a way which caused the victim distress. I would prefer that social media commentators took the time to properly inform themselves before pressing the send button, but my only concern is to assure the South Australian public that Ms Rowling’s anxiety is completely unfounded.”