Women Press Freedom denounces repeated misgendering of Britain’s first trans newsreader

Location: United Kingdom

Date: March 4, 2024

Prominent trans broadcaster India Willoughby has announced that she has reported author J.K. Rowling to police for repeatedly and deliberately misgendering her on Twitter. The journalist and trans rights activist has condemned Rowling for targeting her, accusing the author of “grotesque transphobia.” Women Press Freedom vehemently denounces the targeting of the journalist based on her gender identity. We stand in support of India Willoughby and welcome a police investigation into the matter.

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"J.K. Rowling has definitely committed a crime. I’m legally a woman. She knows I’m a woman, and she called me a man,” asserted broadcaster India Willoughby in an interview with Byline TV after she was repeatedly misgendered on Twitter by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

"It’s a protected characteristic (transgender identity), and that is a breach of both the Equalities Act and the Gender Recognition Act. She’s tweeted that out to 14 million followers,” continued Willoughby.

The UK’s Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics, one of which is gender reassignment.

“I have reported J.K. Rowling to the police for what she said, which I don’t know if that’s going to be treated as a hate crime, malicious communications — but it’s a cut-and-dry offense, as far as I’m concerned,” added Willoughby.

Under British law, any crime can be prosecuted as a hate crime if the offender demonstrated hostility or has been motivated by hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or transgender identity. The police are now obliged to investigate Willoughby’s complaint and determine whether Rowling’s comments constitute a crime.

The heated exchange between Willoughby and Rowling escalated on March 4, 2024, when Rowling dismissed a video of Willoughby on Twitter, describing her as "a man reveling in his misogynistic performance of what he thinks 'woman' means: narcissistic, shallow and exhibitionist."

India Willoughby, a trans woman, is a staunch and passionate public advocate for transgender rights in the UK. Her journalistic work, alongside her activism, has seen her nominated for the Woman of The Year award in 2023. Willoughby has appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and talk show Loose Women.

Willoughby responded to Rowling the next day, expressing her disgust at the author’s comments and asserting her identity as a woman recognized by law and society.

The conflict escalated as both parties exchanged heated remarks, with Willoughby accusing Rowling of transphobic bullying and invoking the concept of “stochastic terrorism.” This term refers to the incitement of violence against people or groups through inflammatory rhetoric by influential figures.

In response to Willoughby's police complaint, Rowling defended herself on social media, claiming she had consulted legal advice and is considering potential defamation charges against Willoughby, alleging the journalist has harassed her over several years.

J.K. Rowling has a history of inflammatory, hurtful, and outright transphobic statements targeting transgender people. The famed children’s author’s repeated refusal to acknowledge the gender identity of trans people has drawn criticism from both the transgender community and allies, including prominent figures and actors associated with the "Harry Potter" franchise.

In recent years, there has been a rift in feminism in the United Kingdom between those who have a trans-inclusive view of feminism and those, like Rowling, who ascribe to gender-critical beliefs.

Rowling has defended her decision to repeatedly misgender Willoughby by citing the 2021 Forstater court ruling. In this case, an employment appeal tribunal found that "gender-critical beliefs, which include the belief that sex is immutable and not to be conflated with gender identity," were protected by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights Articles 9 and 10 and the Equality Act 2010's section on "religion or belief."

It also says: "This judgment does not mean that those with gender-critical beliefs can ‘misgender’ trans persons with impunity." And that "the Claimant, like everyone else, will continue to be subject to the prohibitions on discrimination and harassment that apply to everyone else."

As per the Forstater ruling, the views of gender-critical feminists are protected by law. These views can be expressed freely if they are done in a respectful manner that does not create an environment that is hostile or discriminatory to trans people. Deliberately and persistently misgendering, mocking, and targeting trans people because of their identity is not an exercise in free speech; it is discriminatory and transphobic.

Increasingly Hostile Environment for Trans People in the United Kingdom

Britain’s ruling Conservative Party's disregard for legislation protecting the trans community, coupled with the surge in negative media portrayal of trans issues, reflects a concerning regression in the UK’s commitment to equality and human rights. Many public figures in the UK, including the Prime Minister, have used their platforms to ridicule and undermine trans people and their identity. This has escalated in recent years with multiple columns in major news outlets and frequent debates on the topic of talk shows (often without including trans people). As a result, the public’s tolerance and acceptance of trans people have decreased, and hate crimes against the trans community are on the rise.

India Willoughby’s presence as an openly trans broadcast journalist is extremely important for the visibility of trans people and for journalists from LGBTQI communities who are very often sidelined in UK newsrooms. Willoughby’s public position as a journalist and an activist for trans rights has led to death threats and severe online harassment. Last year, following threats from a Neo-Nazi group, Willoughby was put under police protection.

Confronting one of the most famous writers of our time, J.K. Rowling is no easy feat. Rowling has millions of followers and has influence and power due to her achievements, fame, and wealth. Instead of using this platform to advocate for equality and inclusiveness for the marginalized in society, however, she has repeatedly fanned the flames of anti-trans groups. By challenging and reporting Rowling, Willoughby knows she will be the target of yet more hate from the author’s many fans and followers. Women Press Freedom stands staunchly against discrimination of any kind; targeting people because of their gender identity is unacceptable.

We support India Willoughby’s decision to report the incident to the police. We welcome a police investigation into the matter and send our solidarity to all those in the LGBTQI community, particularly trans men and women who have had to persistently deal with abuse and discrimination for simply living their lives. Transphobia of any kind is unacceptable.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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