Harry Potter author JK Rowling accused of transphobia after posting controversial tweet

JK Rowling is facing backlash from the transgender community. Photo / Getty Images

A controversial tweet posted by Harry Potter author JK Rowling has sparked outrage, and fans are accusing her of being transphobic.

The tweet began with the author saying: "Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who'll have you. Live your best life in peace and security."

However, the last part of the tweet, "#IStandWithMaya" was in support of Maya Forstater - a woman who lost her job after posting on social media that "men cannot change into women", The Guardian reports.

Harry Potter fans and members of the LGBTQ+ community took to Twitter and accused the author of discriminating against transgender people.

Dress however you please.
Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you.
Live your best life in peace and security.
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 19, 2019

"This is incredibly disappointing to see, from someone whose writing espouses so much kindness," one person wrote.

A mother of a trans daughter responded, saying "My daughter, who is trans, is a big fan of yours. It breaks my heart to see you post something indicating that discrimination against her is perfectly fine behaviour from an employee."

My daughter, who is trans, is a big fan of yours. It breaks my heart to see you post something indicating that discrimination against her is perfectly fine behaviour for an employee.

The world’s most credible medical orgs affirm trans people. Please catch up.

— Amanda Jetté Knox (@MavenOfMayhem) December 19, 2019

Rowling was also accused of being a TERF - a trans-exclusionary radical feminist. The term describes people who call themselves feminists but may claim trans women are not real women and generally oppose transgender rights.

going full TERF, I see. At least you finally took off that mask for all to see.

— “Celia” (@_celia_bedelia_) December 19, 2019

It's not the first time Rowling has been accused of excluding the transgender community. The Sun reports she liked a tweet in 2018 from a British political campaigner who called transgender women "men in dresses".

A spokesperson claimed at the time Rowling had like the tweet accidentally.