The new law, which comes into force in Scotland on Monday, will provide increased protection against hatred and prejudice based on age, disability, religion. sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Scottish Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown (SNP), says people can now be investigated for using the wrong gender online.
The critics, on the other hand, believe that the law will stifle freedom of expression, and not provide greater protection for women. JK Rowling published a series of comments on the law on Monday Xwhere she names transgender people, including the woman who was a rapist before she changed gender and was sent to a women’s prison.
Clarifying comment here: Rapists can become symbols for trans people
– Arrest me
– I am currently out of the country, but if what I have written here qualifies as an offense under the new law, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment, she says. Her statements are discussed in a number of media in the UK, including Sky News, The Independent, and the BBC.
The trans debate is still alive and well, also here in Norway. Some believe that trans women must be perceived fully and completely as women, and trans men fully and completely as men, while others believe that it is not that simple, for example in sports.
JK Rowling is among those who do not agree that men can change gender to full-fledged women.
Believes the law will stifle the debate
On X she writes that the new law can be abused by activists who want to silence those who speak loudly about the dangers of protecting the spaces and arenas for those born women. She believes that it must be allowed to speak out against the current system where rapists can change gender and then be judged and treated as women, or against men who change gender and then compete against women in sport.
Because of her opinions, Rowling has been subjected to heavy criticism, and labeled as a transphobe. Here on the mountain, Kjetil Rolness wrote last year that “Rowling is exposed to an undeserved witch hunt, and that the Norwegian press is part of the burning”.
Also read: “Gauteshow” does more for the trans debate than ten demonstration trains and Believes there are only two genders: – I am committing a cardinal sin
