The transgender debate is getting more dangerous, says ANN WIDDECOMBE
THE transgender debate is getting dafter by the minute and also more dangerous. JK Rowling has nothing to worry about because she is one of the highest-earning authors on the planet but it is reminiscent of the Soviet Union when people can find their livelihoods snatched from them because they do not sign up to state-approved orthodoxy.
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It began with a small group of people working at the publishers Hachette saying that they did not want to work on Rowling's latest fairy story because of her views on transgender issues, but what has the one to do with the other? Then four obscure authors ditched the literary agency, The Blair Partnership, because they objected to its involvement with Rowling's works, solely because of her views on gender.
It will be very interesting to know where they go next as most agencies worth their salt work for authors with a wide range of conflicting views.
The BBC may teach that there are 100 genders and GPs recognise six but most people think there are just two: male and female. Nobody is "assigned" a gender at birth.
With very few exceptions our genitalia make it clear before we are even born. Female babies will grow up to menstruate, produce eggs, give birth and breastfeed. Male babies won't.
Most people also accept that a tiny minority of adults will believe that they are really members of the opposite sex and a smaller minority still will go through the painful and long drawn-out procedures, which make an actual transition possible. Rowling has not anywhere said that she lacks empathy for such souls.
That however is a million light years from telling kindergarten kids that they can simply choose their gender and be either boy or girl as the fancy takes them.
Given that some adults change their minds and transition back with equal pain, it is wicked to allow such mammoth decisions to be taken by those under age.
Oh, dear! Will I ever be published again?