JK Rowling: Self ID will harm vulnerable women

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has hit out at Scottish Government plans to allow people to self identify their sex.

Last week, Scottish Ministers published long-expected proposals to liberalise the Gender Recognition Act.

If the plans pass, people over 16 would be able to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate, allowing them to change the sex listed on their passport, driving license, and birth certificate.

Women's groups and parents have expressed concern that the system will be exploited by men seeking to access female only spaces to perpetrate abuse.

Taking to Twitter at the weekend, Miss Rowling said:

"The law [Nicola Sturgeon is] trying to pass in Scotland will harm the most vulnerable women in society: those seeking help after male violence/rape and incarcerated women."

"Statistics show that imprisoned women are already far more likely to have been previously abused."

The author has previously been outspoken about the issue and has chilling abuse online. Speaking about how she has been treated by trans activists last year she said:

"I've now received so many death threats I could paper the house with them and I haven't stopped speaking out."

Speaking when the Scottish Government published its GRA plans earlier this month, CARE's Scottish Parliamentary Officer Michael Veitch said:

“We share the concerns expressed by many groups about a system of ‘self-declaration’ and will be communicating these through the legislative process.

“The state of political and societal debate on this policy is a matter of regret. It is more than possible to ensure a civil and respectful discourse on this issue if all parties agree to work towards this goal. This must involve a willingness to listen and try to understand where different groups are coming from.

“It is also important that all voices are heard equally. Our own starting point is the objective reality of male and female and the differences between the sexes being something that should not be erased. We call on Ministers to give attention to legitimate and sincerely-held concerns.”