JK Rowling Criticizes PM Starmer Over Women's Adviser Appointment

Author JK Rowling has criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for appointing Harriet Harman as Downing Street's adviser on women and girls, challenging the government's approach to defining womanhood amid ongoing debates over gender identity. Rowling cited Harman's 2022 statement that 'trans women are women' as evidence of political ambiguity on sex-based rights, saying, 'You cannot defend what you're afraid to define.'

Harman, a senior Labour figure and former deputy leader, was announced in the role by Starmer on social media, where he described her as a lifelong advocate for women and girls. Her appointment has drawn scrutiny from gender-critical groups who argue that Labour lacks a clear stance on single-sex spaces and biological sex distinctions. Harman has previously acknowledged both the inclusion of trans women and the relevance of biological differences in policy.

Rowling has been a prominent voice in the UK's gender identity debate since 2020, when she asserted that biological sex is immutable and expressed concerns over the impact of self-identification policies on women's safety. She has supported individuals like Maya Forstater, who lost her job over gender-critical beliefs, and maintains that protecting women's rights should not be conflated with discrimination against trans people.

The backlash underscores deep divisions within British public life over gender identity, with advocacy groups on both sides urging clarity from the government. Downing Street has not issued a detailed response to Rowling's remarks. The government is expected to outline its policy framework on women and girls in the coming weeks.