As it turns out, one of the world’s most famous children’s authors JK Rowling cannot take criticism.
She is all set to return an award given by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR) organization after its president called her out for ‘deeply troubling transphobic tweets and statements.’
Last year, having shown ‘a commitment to social change,’ JK Rowling – highly regarded for her charity work - was given the Ripple of Hope award, whose previous winners include the likes of Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
It all began when the President of the organization Kerry Kennedy denounced Rowling’s take on transgender issues and felt "profound disappointment that she has chosen to use her remarkable gift to create a narrative that diminishes the identity of trans and non binary people, undermining the validity and integrity of the entire transgender community."
Previously, the Harry Potter author came under fire for a series of tweets that detailed her views on gender identity.
"If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased," she wrote. "I know and I love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removed the ability of many to meaningfully discussed their lives."
Aside from LGBT activists, popular actors from the Harry Potter franchise released statements opposing Rowling’s ‘anti-trans’ tweets.
Now, Rowling has released a new statement saying that she has "no option" but to return the Ripple of Hope award.
She wrote: "I am deeply saddened that RFKHR has felt compelled to adopt this stance, but no award or honour, no matter my admiration for the person for whom it was named, means so much to me that I would forfeit the right to follow the dictates of my own conscience,"
"RFKHR has stated that there is no conflict between the current radical trans rights movement and the rights of women. The thousands of women who’ve got in touch with me disagree, and, like me, believe this clash of rights can only be resolved if more nuance is permitted in the debate,” Rowling added.
