Harry Potter author JK Rowling has once again sparked controversy after seeming to defy Scotland’s new hate crime laws.
The author, who resides in Edinburgh, took to social media on April 1, 2024, to challenge the Hate Crime and Public Order Act that was recently implemented in Scotland.
In a series of tweets, she referred to several transgender women as men, including convicted prisoners, trans activists, and other public figures, and invited police to “arrest her” if they believe she has committed an offense.
JK Rowling used the hashtag “arrest me” in her tweets, seemingly taunting authorities under the new legislation, which allows police to investigate those accused of “stirring up hatred.”
She mentioned specific cases, such as Isla Bryson, whom she referred to as a rapist who suddenly identified as female just before sentencing, and Samantha Norris, who exposed herself to young girls and was jailed.
In a sarcastic twist, Rowling concluded her tweets by stating that the individuals mentioned are actually men, not women. This isn’t the first time the author has faced backlash over trans issues, as she previously questioned women’s safety in changing rooms and supported a researcher who was fired for stating that “men cannot change into women.”
Scotland’s new hate crime law, championed by First Minister Humza Yousaf, aims to address a “rising tide of hatred” by criminalizing behavior that stirs up hatred based on protected characteristics.
The law does not currently protect women as a group from hatred, but the Scottish government is expected to address this in a separate misogyny law. Under the new act, individuals who communicate material or behave in a manner deemed threatening or abusive with the intention of stirring up hatred could face a maximum jail sentence of seven years.
Rowling’s actions have divided opinions, with some supporting her right to free speech while others condemn her statements as transphobic.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his support for Rowling, emphasizing the importance of free speech in the country. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how authorities will handle Rowling’s apparent defiance of Scotland’s hate crime laws.
