Children’s book author Judy Blume clarified that she was just misinterpreted when she said in an interview made on Sunday via a British newspaper that she stands ‘100 percent’ behind fellow writer, J.K. Rowling when the latter spoke up against women’s sex-based rights and was labeled transphobic due to it.
“I love her. I am behind her 100 percent as I watch from afar,” the ‘Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret’ writer confirmed. Following her statement, an article in the British Newspaper, The Sunday Times of London, confirmed that she was referring to Rowling’s negative stance on sex and gender; this fueled the ongoing backlash and Blume was criticized for being transphobic, too.
To clarify the issue, Blume has released a statement on social media and explained that her point was just ‘taken out of context.’ The 85-year-old author said that she completely supports the transgender community.
“I wholly support the trans community. My point, which was taken out of context, is that I can empathize with a writer — or person — who has been harassed online,” she wrote.
“I wholly support the trans community and vehemently disagree with anyone who does not fully support equality and acceptance for LGBTQIA+ people. Anything to the contrary is total bulls,” she added.
Rowling, the creator of the iconic ‘Harry Potter’ book series, has been accused of making transphobic and sexist comments on social media for years. One example was when she voiced her opinion that girls and trans women should not be allowed to use public facilities consistent with their gender identity. Recently, she also told a podcast that there’s danger in the trans movement and that it must be challenged, comparing trans advocates to ‘Death Eaters’ of her famous works.
Blume’s controversial interview came just a few days after Rowling was denounced for her involvement in a greenlit Harry Potter TV series produced by Max.
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