JK Rowling Hits Back in Trans Clash With Boy George: ‘I Do Not Hate Men’

Author J.K. Rowling, best known for the Harry Potter series, responded to singer Boy George on Saturday after he accused her of hating men amid a spat over transgender issues, writing on social media, “I do not hate men.”

Newsweek has reached out to Rowling and Boy George’s publicity team for comment via email on Sunday afternoon.

Why It Matters

Rowling has been outspoken on transgender identity and rights over the past few years, attracting criticism and support for her position. The British-born writer has publicly supported women who question the legitimacy of trans women’s gender identities and has dedicated much of her feed on X, formerly Twitter, to speaking out on the issue.

Celebrities have condemned some of her statements, with some social media users labeling her views “disgusting” as activists have branded her a “TERF”—a trans-exclusionary radical feminist. Conversely, she has also received an outpouring of support for her stance, with “#IStandWithJKRowling” trending intermittently on social media whenever the debate resurfaces.

What To Know

English singer Boy George responded on X on April 26 to a user replying to a post from a fan account for actor Pedro Pascal.

The fan post stated that Pascal “doesn’t hate women” and “trans women are women.” Last week, Pascal arrived at the Thunderbolts premiere in a “Protect the Dolls” shirt, which is part of a campaign in support of trans women. Pascal’s sister, Lux, publicly came out as trans in 2021.

Dennis Noel Kavanagh, a director at Gay Men’s Network who is followed by Rowling, wrote: “Well, if you have to deny it Pedro.”

Boy George then shared the X post, writing: “Stop this nonsense that if you don’t agree with @jk_rowling you hate women. She hates men. This is where this truth lies. She cannot differentiate between a ‘trans’ woman and a biological male. Which is weird with her imagination?”

Boy George’s comments come two weeks after the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court ruled that the definition of a woman is biological sex. The landmark ruling means that a transgender person with a certificate that recognizes them as female should not be considered a woman for equality purposes.

Rowling celebrated the ruling, saying the decision has “protected the rights of women and girls” across the country.

In response to Boy George’s comments that she hates men, the author wrote on X, “I’m married to a man, George. I do not hate men.”

She added: “I simply live in reality where men – however they identify – commit 98% of sexual assaults, and 88% of victims are female. Trans-identified men are no less likely than other kinds of men to pose a risk to women or girls.” Newsweek cannot find data to verify that statement.

A 2023 University of California Los Angeles Law School study found that “transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization, including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault.”

Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican and close ally of President Donald Trump, backed Rowling, sharing her post and writing on X: “Ignore realities of criminal behavior at your own peril.”

On his first day back in office in January, Trump signed an executive order recognizing only two genders, biologically male and biologically female. His administration and allies have hailed the move, along with subsequent actions such as banning transgender athletes from women’s sports that receive federal funding, as efforts to defend women’s rights.

What People Are Saying

J.K. Rowling celebrated the U.K. Supreme Court decision, posting on X earlier this month: “It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK.”

For Women Scotland, who brought the U.K. Supreme Court case, replied to Boy George’s X post on Saturday, writing: “She really doesn’t hate men, love. Women can say “no” to men without hating all of the sex class. I realise this is tough conceptually for some of the bros.”

What Happens Next?

In terms of the Supreme Court ruling, the British and Scottish governments have welcomed the clarity provided by the Court and said they will work to implement the ruling.