The writer of Harry Potter opposes the law, which went into effect on Monday and makes it illegal to incite hatred based on characteristics such as age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, including trans.
Rowling is among critics who say the legislation could be used to silence so-called gender-critical feminists, who argue that the rights of trans women should not be exercised at the expense of those who are born biologically female.
JK Rowling Comments
In a series of posts on X, Rowling referred to several prominent trans women as men. A mischaracterization of gender could be a crime under the new law, in some circumstances.
Rowling posted that “if what I have written here qualifies as a crime under the terms of the new law, I hope to be arrested.”
“Freedom of speech and worship are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is considered criminal,” he said.
Police Scotland said they had received complaints but that “the comments are not considered a crime and no further action will be taken.”
Scotland’s semi-autonomous government says the new legislation, known as the Public Order and Intolerance Offenses (Scotland) Act, will help combat hate and abuse.
Critics, however, say it will have a chilling effect on freedom of expression.
FUENTE: AP
