JK Rowling has addressed allegations of “bullying” and “punching down” following her criticism of a transgender female football manager.
Lucy Clark, previously a referee, has transitioned to coaching and was recently appointed as the manager of Sutton United’s women’s football team in South London.
Over the weekend, the LGBTQ+ charity Pride UK took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to commend Clark on her significant achievement.
The organization posted a photograph of Clark with a pink whistle and a red card, accompanied by a celebratory message.
The Pride account stated: “Lucy Clark, the world’s first openly transgender referee, has made history by becoming the first trans manager in the top five divisions of English women’s football.
“The former referee has taken over at Sutton United. FABULOUS,” the post concluded, which quickly garnered the attention of Rowling.
JK Rowling has encountered renewed criticism regarding her views on transgender issues.
The 58-year-old author is accustomed to attracting media attention due to her stance in the trans debate, recently engaging in a verbal exchange with trans newsreader India Willoughby.
Daniel Radcliffe, her colleague from the Harry Potter series, has also expressed a new critique of Rowling’s opinions, distancing himself from her statements and acknowledging that they have not communicated in years.
Over the weekend, Rowling took to X to share a post from Pride, commenting: “When I was young, all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged men. So it’s fantastic to see how much things have changed.”
This statement elicited a mixed reaction from her followers, with some accusing her of trolling and inciting a “social media pile on” against Clark.
In response to the backlash, Rowling later stated on the platform: “Calling a man a man is not ‘bullying’ or ‘punching down.’ Crossdressing straight men are currently one of the most pandered-to demographics in existence, and women are under no obligation to applaud those who caricature us.”
Rowling has continued to address criticism online, including a comment from an individual who suggested that her views on transgender issues could lead to her “downfall.”
JK Rowling delivered a scathing response to trans football manager Lucy Clark.
In her reply to a user on X, she stated, “You have yet to witness anything. Just wait until I reach my lowest point. It will be extraordinary.”
In response to a critic who advised Rowling to “endeavor to treat everyone with kindness,” the author countered, “When you cease instructing me to be dishonest, I will cease proclaiming the truth.” (sic)
The Pride UK Org X account has subsequently removed both the post and the account entirely.
