A British school decided to remove the name of JK Rowling, 56, author of the “Harry Potter” series, from one of its buildings due to her controversial statements, which earned her several accusations of transphobia. The honor went to Olympic medalist Kelly Holmes, 51.
The move to one of the Boswells School buildings in Chelmsford, Essex, England, took place at the request of students and staff, the Daily Mail said. The review would have started in July of last year and the result has now become public.
“We are revising the name of our red house in light of JK Rowling’s comments about trans people. Her views on this matter do not align with our school’s politics and beliefs,” read an internal statement at the time.
According to the AFP news agency, the school’s principal, Stephen Mansell, confirmed the name change. “We have reviewed and renamed one of our homes following numerous requests from students and staff, as well as a school-wide vote.”
“At Boswells School, we promote an inclusive and democratic school community where we encourage students to develop as self-reliant, independent citizens,” he added of the school that serves students ages 11-18.
The author of “Harry Potter” has been criticized since she posted a series of tweets in response to an opinion piece by the global development site Devex, which carried the headline “Creating a More Egalitarian Post-Covid-19 World for Menstruating People “.
“‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for these people. Anyone help me? Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? (purposeful modification of the word ‘Woman’, English for woman),” Rowling said at the time.
Critics have pointed out that Rowling’s views equate femininity with menstruation, while many transsexual men menstruate and many women do not. She then countered by saying that erasing the concept of sex “removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives.”
The red house will now be named after British runner Kelly Holmes, who won two gold medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004. She also holds the title of Lady of the Order of the British Empire, awarded by Queen Elizabeth 2nd in 2005.
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