Former Scotland FM Sturgeon Accuses JK Rowling of Fueling Toxic Trans Rights Debate

Nicola Sturgeon has blamed JK Rowling for intensifying the toxic debate over transgender rights in Scotland, particularly criticizing Rowling's public protest where she wore a T-shirt labeling Sturgeon a "destroyer of women's rights." Sturgeon, who led efforts to introduce legislation simplifying gender recognition, said this act marked the point where rational debate became impossible and led to a surge of abuse against her, some of which was misogynistic and left her fearing for her safety. She maintains that while some critics of self-identification have genuine concerns, others have weaponized the issue to push back on broader minority rights, aligning themselves with far-right figures. Sturgeon has expressed willingness to debate the topic but doubts Rowling would participate. Rowling has responded by accusing Sturgeon of losing rationality in the debate and criticized policies allowing male prisoners convicted of sexual offenses to be held in women's prisons. Sturgeon's memoir, "Frankly," elaborates on these issues, reflecting on the personal and political fallout from the controversial gender reforms that were ultimately blocked by Westminster.