Posted on 28 Aug 2020

JK Rowling has returned associated with the Kennedy family after one of its members slammed her for her views on transgender issues.

The Harry Potter author was given the Ripple Of Hope honour by the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights organisation last year, but has recently been criticised by its president, Kerry Kennedy, for having views which "diminished the identity" of transgender people.

In an online statement, Kennedy wrote: "I have spoken with JK Rowling to express my profound disappointment that she has chosen to use her remarkable gifts to create a narrative that diminishes the identity of trans and non-binary people, undermining the validity and integrity of the entire transgender community.

"One that disproportionately suffers from violence, discrimination, harassment, and exclusion and, as a result, experiences high rates of suicide, suicide attempts, homelessness, and mental and bodily harm.
Rowling has faced fierce backlash on numerous occasions for her views on transgender-related subjects. 

She recently wrote: "Many, myself included, believe we are watching a new kind of conversion therapy for young gay people, who are being set on a lifelong path of medicalisation that may result in the loss of their fertility and/or full sexual function.”

She has denied being transphobic.