Author JK Rowling is probably now as well-known for her gender-critical views as she is for creating Harry Potter. But still, one of her retweets over the weekend has shocked many.
Rowling retweeted a tweet by a Twitter user by the name of Rudy (@theneonrequiem).
It featured an image of one of the more recent reworkings of the Pride flag. It features brown and black stripes on the original rainbow flag, as well as the colors of the trans flag. The brown, black and trans flag colors are faded and partly erased. A slogan across the image says: “Get your sh*t off our flag”.
In an accompanying caption, Rudy, a person of color, says, “‘Queer’ was never joyous. It wasn’t joyous when my fellow gay men were being beaten to death by homophobes screaming the word at them. And it isn’t joyous now when it’s used by men who beat women up and the corporations who support them.”
On his Twitter bio, Rudy says he is an “ambassador” for the right-ring Gays Against Groomers organization. On its own bio, the group describes itself as, “A 501(c)4 organization of gays against the sexualization, indoctrination and medicalization of children under the guise of “LGBTQIA+”
GAG campaigns against “Drag and pride events involving children”, and gender-affirming care for trans youth, among other things.
JK Rowling posted several other tweets and retweets over the weekend concerning a ‘Let Women Speak’ rally in Auckland, New Zealand.
The event featured British anti-trans campaigner Posie Parker (real name Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull). However, Parker was forced to abandon her speech after someone from a counter-protest threw tomato juice over her. Videos from the event also appear to show some incidents of violence between the rival groups.
Rowling described the scenes as “repellent” and called the counter-protestors a “mob”.
JK Rowling and trans rights
Rowling has been making her views on gender and trans rights known for several years. In 2020, she said trans activism was “erasing the concept of sex” She wrote a lengthy essay to explain her “deep concerns about the effect the trans rights movement”. She also promoted an online store that sells merchandise bearing anti-trans phrases.
More recently, she has criticized legislation in Scotland that makes it easier for trans people to self-identify their gender.
Despite this, many still expressed surprise at Rowling’s latest retweet.
The history of the Pride flag
San Francisco-based artist Gilbert Baker created the original Pride flag in 1978. It featured a rainbow to represent everyone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Flags for other minority groups have appeared since, as well as adaptations of the original rainbow flag.
Creators of adaptations have tended to stress their new flags are an addition to the original, not a replacement.
In 2021, New York’s Stonewall Inn held an exhibition of the various different Pride flags. Charley Beal, president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation, told Queerty’s sister site, GayCities at the time, there was space for all the flags.
“As president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation, I am often asked ‘Which pride flag should I fly?’. My response is ‘Fly the flag that speaks to your soul. There is room in the sky for all of them.’
“At the Gilbert Baker Foundation, we are proud that all of these new LGBTQ community pride flags were born of the Rainbow Flag. It is the mother of them all.”
Mister P
I think “Rudy” might be one of the right wing trolls who comments here.
CatholicXXX
TBH the new flag is ugly and busy. It also seems the re-tweet was because it’s anti-trans and not anything to do with race. The guy that made the original tweet is a (proud) black man.
barryaksarben
Catholixxx is s self hating pos and trans men and women are NOT erasing CIS women but CIS women seem to want to erase us all so screw them. Harry potters mother needs to disappear
mastik8
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth. “The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women—i.e., to male violence—‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences—is a nonsense.”
“I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.”
Let the ad hominem begin…
mikenyc352
No one argues that women are shaped by their experiences as women but it is quite reductionist to say most of the experiences were attached to certain parts of their body. Female experience is a social one not a biological one.
UlfRaynor
mikenyc352– Yes, its purely a social construct that women gestate a fetus in their socially constructed wombs for roughly nine months before making the purely, non sex based choice, to push that fetus out of their purely non sex based body.
Nor is it biology that makes them menstruate or lactate.
And of course, biology plays no role whatsoever in the fact that male brains are 11% bigger than female ones.
It’s also now fully accepted that certain individuals, totally by random choice (and of course the social conventions of their environment) have less muscle mass and bone density.
I certainly hope you are pretty because you sound as dumb as a rock.
abfab
So ulfy, tell us….you’ve never met women who have had hysterectomies? Or women who never (or ever will) get pregnant for personal reasons? I think two questions might be enough for you to handle at the moment.
GlobeTrotter
mikenyc352: “Female experience is a social one not a biological one.”
I beg to differ! Reminds me of a conversation I once had with a female co-worker. I was arguing that women should be just as willing as men to put career above family in order to get ahead. She answered that having children and staying home to raise those kids are EXTREMELY fulfilling experiences for women, and that I could never understand this as I was a man. Despite all the pain and difficulties of childbirth, the years of setback to one’s career, the stress and depression that comes with raising kids, she surprised me by saying she would do it all again in a heartbeat. Who am I to argue? As a man I don’t dare contradict because I have no basis to do so. So if she says that this is a biological reality that brings extreme fulfillment to women, I believe her. I think it’s rather rich of us men to tell women that NO, what you’re feeling and what you’re undergoing is a mere “social construct”.
GlobeTrotter
@abfab: And what percentage of women, pray tell, have had hysterectomies or decided not to have children? A very tiny percentage…which only confirms UlfRaynor’s argument, i.e. the few exceptions confirm the general rule.
abfab
When I get the exact figures, I’ll get back to you on that. It’s your choice to defend those who refuse to open their minds, but neither of you sound very convincing of anything.
GlobeTrotter
@abfab: Sorry you don’t get it, but when women explain to us their reality, we should HUMBLY LISTEN. What we shouldn’t do it contradict them and try to tell them how the world works according to a man’s point of view.
abfab
I’m not Globe. But your anecdote, however sweet, adds little.
UlfRaynor
@abfab–I’m glad to see you’re not letting education get in the way of your ignorance.
Fname Optional Lname
Really? LOL You’re not fooling anyone! You don’t “know and love” anyone who is different than you. You have allowed fear to drive your ignorance and now you spread hatred. You’re miserable and that will always follow you until you get hatred out of your heart
DarkZephyr
@GlobeTrotter
And I’m sure you are aware of the fact that many of these women that we should be listening to are trans allies who disavow much of what Rowling has been saying. So when it comes down to either A) listening to women who are transphobic bigots or B) listening to women who are trans allies, I will pick B, the non-bigots.
Ronbo
Look at the pure hate directed at someone who quotes Rowling word for word. Some prefer to NOT accept reality of actual facts – not just name-calling people as being “anti-trans” for supporting women.
Why is acceptance of ALL male and female variations considered “anti-trans”? Our regular haters including abfab and darkZepher prefer to support trans women OVER women. Please explain this bigotry towards women when compared to trans women. Differences do exist.
We can support both groups without the hatred, name-calling and division. Try humanity, love and compassion for all women. Some dismiss and ignore female puberty. Guys get a never-ending play toy and women get a bloody mess every month. It’s a BIG difference guys. Try to understand the reality of being a woman before appropriating it.
To be an actual trans-supporter one must first accept all of our sisters as equals.
barryaksarben
bs sex is real and it is real for ALL of us. buying into this is hate full and selfish. This whole thing with JK started when SHE actually blamed transwomen for her cis male lover for abusing her. SHE WAS ABUSED by her man not a trans ANYTHING. HE is to blame NO one else. unless of course you want to go full bore on nonsense and blamer her for her own abuse. Again NO trans had sh*t to do with it
correctio
ok but let’s be honest, the new pride flag is ugly and unnecessary. did the colors of the rainbow on the original flag correspond to the colors of people’s skin? NO! The rainbow was already supposed to represent all queer people
thisisnotreal
ugh thank you. a rainbow in itself is supposed to represent all the colors of the rainbow, yes it doesnt LITERALLY reflect every single color in existence or it would blank out the sky when it appeared, but the old pride flag was fine and it was always my understanding that it represented and included every race, size, gender, identity etc under the queer umbrella. guess some people just wanted a more DIRECT form of representation.
elelsf
Per Gilbert Baker, the designer of The Rainbow Flag, the colors represent: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for magic, blue for harmony and violet for spirit.
correctio
@elelsf this I like
RoyM
I’d bet you see really freaking ugly every time you look in the mirror.
correctio
@RoyM you have to let us know who you’re talking to, honey
abfab
It begs the question, correctio. You were the one who started the thread.
abfab
Flags evolve and change. It’s what they do. Ours went from 13 to 48 to 50! We do love to cling to the flag, oh we humans!
Some of you need that yellow don’t tread on me flag. I bet some of you do…..
UlfRaynor
@abfab– Actually, flags don’t evolve, they are inanimate objects.
However, some people do evolve, unlike you, who is perfect proof that evolution can also go in reverse.
abfab
Actually,they do. You sound like a hick.
See the evolution of over 2000 world flags in under 5 minutes
National Geographic
nationalgeographic dot com › history › article
Jun 14, 2019 — All over the world, flags inspire a sense of belonging and evolve over time. To show the diversity and progression of flags around the world, …
UlfRaynor
@abfab— Oh you poor thing. That mule must have kicked you really hard in the head to make you think an inanimate object evolves on its own.
People *change* flags, they don’t change on their own.
Its kind of sad you’re so mentally incapacitated that you can’t distinguish the difference.
abfab
You’re not only common, but hopeless. Ask JK Rowling if she needs a new illustrator. You sound artistically burned out.
I suppose you still have a Princess Slimline phone and an Abacus. FYI, we have instruments that have evolved since then.
UlfRaynor
Get new material, you’re sounding like a stuck record, then again, you shouldn’t feel to bad. A lot of people like you have no talent.
Ronbo
Abfab needs to take a break from the hate and name calling. It’s a red-flag of ignorance. If you have a valid point, you don’t need to imitate Republicans.
sfhairy
Preach. The newer flags are just noise.
PhillyProud
When I started clubbing, back in the day, there were clubs primarily for different races. The ideal gay man was the white, muscular guy. So, when Black and Brown people said they didn’t feel much like they were part of the community, the response was adding the brown and black stripes. I don’t know if it helped or not. Fragile white folks should probably just step back.
PhillyProud
@ UlfRaynor maybe you’re not American? The American flag has definitely evolved; 13 stars, now 50 because those stars represent the states, right?
barryaksarben
so its ugly ? how shallow ARE. you it was always meant to give people lea sense of pride not a fashion show. Many women support trans as do I . I support women and men UNTIL they want to destroy others they feel they dont like. SCREW THEM and anyone who does not support all trans
inbama
She retweeted a post by a gay man who doesn’t like being called “queer.” Big deal. There are legions of us who despise the term.
Why does everyone but gay men get to chose what they’re called?
Surrendering your right to think for yourself shouldn’t be required to be part of the “LGBTQIA+” community. Somebody is confusing community with CULT.
correctio
agreed!! I have begrudgingly come around to using queer of other gay men, but I kinda hate it. When I was growing up in [conservative backwater], homophobes would call me “queer” or “f*cking queer” more than they would call me “gay.” I like gay, I call myself gay, it’s the word I want to use.
thisisnotreal
im indifferent to being called queer or referring to myself as one personally, but im also indifferent to referring to myself as a [email protected] around certain people. to me its less about the words themselves, and more about the context in which they are used, and the emotional charge behind them when they are said to me/about me.
Jeremiah
Exactly! There is no supreme authority that chooses what you must call yourself. Also, it’s a bit of a misnomer to call LGBTQetc. a community. Rather it’s more a coalition of different communities with similar challenges banding together.
bachy
@inbama: I’ve been noticing cult-like aspects of the gay movement since the 1980s. I find that a lot of what is called gay ideology has gone awry. It’s why I frequently don’t feel the movement represents my political, social or ideological views.
UlfRaynor
If you want to know what really happened in NZ go to youtube and check out gay reporter Andrew Doyles video on the incident.
Just search: “Posie Parker attacked by trans activists: ‘They turn to violence because silencing didn’t work.”
Queer T is definitely showing they have an agenda and no, it has nothing to do with being gay.
abfab
Since you’re vouching for a youtube video WITH YOUR OWN GAYER AGENDA, I’ll pass……
If Q ain’t gay enough for you, start your own site.
DarkZephyr
I am not especially fond of the word “Queer” either, but I have no plans to explode into anti-trans rage over it.
UlfRaynor
@abfab– Why would I go preach to the choir when mindless sheep like you need so much guidance?
In your mentally challenged state of being, you might harm others, plus I just love annoying you, Your such a nasty, arrogant little piece of sh*t, its rapidly becoming my new favorite hobby.
bachy
@Ulf: thanks for the recommendation on the YouTube video. There appears to be some kind of bizarre sociopathy underpinning increasingly violent trans-activism.
Oso Coqui
A bit of history. In the early days of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, conservatives, and religious haters screamed along with politicians using the word queer to refer to those contracting the virus. It was their justification as to why not fund research, treatment, and education. Queers got what they deserve, so the community decided enough and reclaimed the word queer, and from it rose Queer Nation along with Act Up. It was a fight back to say we will not be shamed nor shrink back to the closet because you use the word queer. The chant was “We’re here! We’re Queer! Get use to it.”
I also hope that we all have the freedom to use whatever word you feel comfortable with, gay, bi, pansexual, queer or what have you just make it your choice.
Ronbo
Anyone notice that abfab is not open to learning from others? Like Republican extremists, abfab already knows it all and has plugged his ears to learning. Republican thinking isn’t going to help anyone abfab,
sfhairy
Exactly. I don’t like to be called “queer” either. I’m not queer. I’m effing gay. The only alphabet I approve of and the only one I say is LGBT, I don’t add other nonsense to the end of it.
PhillyProud
@Oso Coqui thanks for the facts. You underscore the reason baby gays may need some education on what our community has had to deal with. I didn’t like queer either until I realized where it came from. I actually had a baby gay tell me I was lying when I told him what republicans did to us at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
bobmister250
Many of us AGREE with JK Rowling that the gay rights movement has been co-opted by the transgender movement. I’m not transgender and have nothing with a transgender person. I’m not sure why they glommed the T onto gay, lesbian and bisexual. We have basically nothing in common. Also, I’m not “queer”. I’m gay.
frenchtiti
absolutely! Iam gay not queer at all!
RoyM
And many of you are Log Cabin Republicans. Who cares. Bigots like you are gonna be bigots. I’m hoping you are not actually gay, but I guess every tribe has its share of idiots.
correctio
@RoyM I’m a gay Marxist thank you very much
DarkZephyr
For my part, I am a trans ally and always will be.
PhillyProud
@bobmister250 seriously… We have nothing in common with transgender people? We don’t share the same marginalization based on how we identify? We’re not both shamed because of the way we’re born? We’re not both groups that straight white people are trying to legislate out of existence? I’m so happy for you that you’re gay. You should be proud.
Thad
I stand with trans people. They have every right to exist, to live happily without threat or bullying, to work, play, and pee.
It may not be my own struggle, but I’ve got their backs.
inbama
Why do you imagine gays who are gay first believe they shouldn’t exist?
No one is saying that but trans activists.
DarkZephyr
@inbama
Why are you assuming that’s what he’s saying? All he basically said was that he’s a trans ally. I am too. You gonna take that personally as well?
UlfRaynor
Dayam, I would love for you to show me where on this planet this imaginary Disneyesque Utopia exist.
Absolutely no one is guaranteed a problem free existence, why should trans people be any different?
See, that’s the problem with living in a free speech society, to have that freedom you have to risk being offended, or there is no free speech.
If there’s no free speech then there’s no potential to have a tolerably happy co-existence with others.
This is the biggest problem I have with you gender ideologues. You keep thinking you can make or coerce people into validating someone’s identity or existence or even compel the words that come out of everyone’s mouths.
Well, good luck with that, let me know how it all works out for you in the end, I love a good fantasy novel now and then.
abfab
Yes, with free speech come the good and the bad consequences. We all know that. But stop being such a dictator! Live and let live.
UlfRaynor
You mean like the trans activist that wouldn’t let a 5′ 1″ 48 year old woman speak about women’s rights without violently assaulting her?
Get back in your clown car, the circus is over.
abfab
Oh please, the circus is nothing but drag queens!
UlfRaynor
A distinction without a difference.
ggontarek
How about not give her attention?
correctio
@ggontarek the media (looking at you, qu e rty) should indeed just stop talking about JK Rowling. The only time I hear about her, it’s from people who are outraged about what she tweeted or retweeted. Talk about doing your enemies’ work for them…
decampbell
The Pride flag, as it is, is inclusive and doesn’t need brown, black, pink, blue, or other color stripes added. The Pride flag does not specify race, gender, color, disability, HIV/AIDS status, etc. Many people, myself included, do not like and will not fly (in any form) this bastardized version of the Pride flag.
I support Rowling’s views on sex, gender, and women’s rights.
DJLA
I believe the Pride Flag should be left as the shining beacon it has always been for OUR (all of us) community: a beautiful rainbow that has stood for true unity and pride. Adding skin color or any specific groups takes away from the beautiful meaning of us “all in together.” While I strongly believe oppressed people of color need and deserve a spotlight shone on their struggles and injustices done towards them for far too long, the flag should remain unbiased and as a symbol of total unity within our (all of us) community.
For those commenting on Trans individuals not being associated with Gay individuals, I don’t agree. I’ve had many conversations with both of my parents who believe me being Gay is in no way associated with Trans folks. I explain to them that Trans people are me, Drag Queens are me, anyone within my community— is me. We have all been oppressed and many times vilified for something tied to our sexuality, and ultimately, for being ourselves.
If you’ve been oppressed for anything regarding your sexuality, then you’re part of this community under the beautiful rainbow flag, and we need to stand together.
bachy
Oh brother, here we go. Yet more misplaced Rage against the Rowling. And they wonder why trans rights is getting so much blowback. Whole lot of mental disorder playing out on the political stage… and dismantling hard won gay rights in the process.
Welcome to the real world – that place outside of the feverishly insular TikTok/Insta/YouTube bubble! Yeah, some allies come with a degree of ambivalence. But just because someone doesn’t kiss your ass it doesn’t mean they’re not on your side.
“I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.” -JK Rowling
abfab
”My life has been shaped by being female!” Does she want a medal or a chest to pin it on. Entitled little bitch.
correctio
@abfab “entitled little bitch” you can never come up with a good criticism of someone, so you just revert to being an asshole
abfab
Never?
still_onthemark
@abfab: Rowling’s statement “my life has been shaped by being female” seems pretty mundane to me. Why are you so freaked out by it?
abfab
Very good question. Please hold.
Ronbo
Abfab seems to thrive on hate – like most Republicans, a common thread.
abfab
Thanks QUEERTY for trotting this most proper lady out once in a while. It’s so interesting and mildly amusing seeing all of these fuses blowing simultaneously. The woman is an idiot. So are her defenders.
UlfRaynor
I think its delicious when you stomp your wittle foot and spew your misogynistic chauvinism at a feminist, while simultaneously projecting your own idiosyncratic narcissism onto others.
You’re a one trick pony sadflab and your tattered old Freudian slip is showing.
abfab
Get back to your easel and refrain from the baby talk. It doesn’t suit you.
UlfRaynor
And thinking obviously doesn’t suit you, but that’s okay, stupidity isn’t a crime, so you’re free to go.
abfab
You’re common.
UlfRaynor
That was weak and pathetic, even for you.
abfab
Ulf, do you think we should get a room? Imagine the debates we could have.
Ronbo
Abfab seems to hate people who have different ideas like… a woman is quite unlike a man; but, gender is available to both. Who thinks that a woman is just a penisless man?
A Y gene makes a significantly different person. Both XX and XY should have access to gender behaviors because norms can’t and shouldn’t be enforced. Can we agree on this?
UlfRaynor
I’ll answer with my favorite quote: “They’re on our right, they’re on our left, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us; they can’t get away from us this time. – Chesty Puller USMC”
For the record, at 20 to 1 odds, he and his men won that battle.
Drumhellian
As a 59 year old gay male who attended all those rallies, for our rights, who attended the rallies for AIDS treatment etc, I will always embrace the original flag. I am not anti-trans I believe in their rights and also the black community. However why the debate can they not fly both flags at events?
To be honest we have the original pride flag we fly at home and the Canadian one with the original pride flag colors on the sides. I will not be going out of my way to purchase the new flag. Although I am not saying don’t fly it, people have choices and you can still buy either flag at most flag outlets.
It is a choice which one you wish to fly.
FreddieW
I tend to think more highly of Rowling than I think of LGBTQIA political correctness.
Tallskin
well said! although whether the kiddies at queerty towers will permit your comment to stand without deleting it, remains to be seen
barryaksarben
and that is why you are a pig
wikidBSTN
I’m all for trans rights and protections – 100%. But I do agree that the Pride flag should be left alone. If trans people and others want to march under the Pride flag I’m for that too. The movement can and should incorporate sexual and gender minorities. But leave the flag alone – it has enough colors already to make its point of inclusion without becoming an unwieldy joke.
Tallskin
Polite notice: If you’re not going to date a Trans woman simply because she has a penis, a 5 o’clock shadow, hands like shovels, thighs that could crack coconuts or a voice deeper than Brian Blessed then maybe you need to address YOUR internalised transphobia.
Do better
LGBTQ+++++++ for ever
Mr. Stadnick
Why does some mediocre writers opinion on something matter to anyone? Who care what she thinks!
inbama
@Standnick
Being she’s a wealthy and famous woman with impeccable liberal, feminist and philanthropic credentials, trans activists want to show the world that they can take down anyone who dares stray even a little from the ideology they’re promoting, and so, why they can’t actually find words that any sane person would call “transphobia,” she is brought up over and over to be used as a punching bag.
The message is clear: watch what you say because if we can do it to her, we can do it to you.
Ronbo
I’ve been reading about how there are varieties of authoritarianism – righty extremists vs. lefty extremists. Proof? Your “if we can do it to her, we can do it to you”.
Education benefits from being open to listening and learning from others.