J.K. Rowling Sparks Controversy With Mother’s Day Message Trolling Inclusive Language

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

J.K. Rowling has sparked more controversy after she shared a message on Mother’s Day, which is being celebrated on Sunday, March 10 in the UK.

The Harry Potter author took to social media and generated backlash for seemingly trolling trans activists and inclusive language.

More from Deadline

“Happy Birthing Parent Day to all whose large gametes were fertilised resulting in small humans whose sex was assigned by doctors making mostly lucky guesses,” Rowling posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Rowling has pushed back on inclusive language in the past, which made her post on Mother’s Day that much more striking. Following criticism that she was mocking people, the writer posted an update with a sarcastic tone.

“Devastated and bewildered that my embrace of inclusive language has angered its most enthusiastic devotees,” Rowling shared before adding, “So let’s just say: Happy Mother’s Day to all females who’ve raised children.”

Rowling’s message comes after UK television personality India Willoughby reported the author to police over alleged transphobic comments. Willoughby, who underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2015, claims that Rowling has intentionally misgendered her.

In a series of posts, Rowling fired back, saying that her lawyers had advised her that Willoughby’s “obsessive targeting of me over the past few years may meet the legal threshold for harassment.”

“I ignored this advice because I couldn’t be bothered giving India the publicity he so clearly craves,” Rowling posted on X. “Aware as I am that it’s an offence to lie to law enforcement, I’ll simply have to explain to the police that, in my view, India is a classic example of the male narcissist who lives in a state of perpetual rage that he can’t compel women to take him at his own valuation.”

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.