Jonathan Van Ness slams J.K. Rowling for ‘transphobic vitriol'

Jonathan Van Ness has slammed J.K. Rowling’s latest tweet, accusing her of ‘constant transphobic cherry picked vitriol’. 

The Harry Potter author, 56, came under fire for posting a link to an article titled: ‘“Absurdity” of police logging rapists as women.’

The article in question related to reports of Police Scotland saying they would not misgender trans people accused of rape, even if they have not legally changed gender. 

She had commented: ‘War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength. The Penised Individual Who Raped You Is a Woman.’

Jonathan responded: ‘The biggest threats of violence against women has always been cis gender men. Not trans women, unless Jk’s constant transphobic cherry picked vitriol convinces you otherwise.’

The Queer Eye star continued: ‘But as trans women are assaulted, deprived of work, killed, and raped JK is safe in her mansion.’

According to statistics, the amount of sexual assaults perpetuated by trans people is miniscule, particularly in comparison to the amount of sexual assaults committed towards trans people.

The 2015 US Transgender survey reported that 47% of transgender people will be sexually assaulted in their life in comparison to UK figures released last year which stated that out of 122 reported sexual assaults in women’s prisons in the past decade, just five were perpetrated by trans inmates.

The Ministry of Justice also said in a statement last year: ‘There have been no reported incidents of any type of sexual assault against prison officers by transgender prisoners. We have strict safeguards in place to care for and manage transgender individuals in custody while protecting our staff and others in custody.’

J.K. has previously denied she is transphobic, writing last year: ‘As a longstanding donor to LGBT charities and a supporter of trans people’s right to live free of persecution, I absolutely refute the accusation that I hate trans people or wish them ill, or that standing up for the rights of women is wrong, discriminatory, or incites harm or violence to the trans community. 

‘Like the vast majority of the people who’ve written to me, I feel nothing but sympathy towards those with gender dysphoria, and agree with the clinicians and therapists who’ve got in touch who want to see a proper exploration of the factors that lead to it.’

Metro.co.uk reached out to J.K. Rowling’s reps who declined to comment. 

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