JK Rowling has once again sparked widespread debate with cutting criticism Gender identity policies and their perceived clash with the protection of women and girls. Taking to social media, the celebrated author highlighted what she sees as glaring inconsistencies in progressive circles, especially those who The #MeToo movementFocused on male sexual harassment but now supports policies she believes threaten vulnerable spaces.
In her post, Rowling wrote: “Something to see people who were eager to beat their wagons on #MeToo a few years ago defending this sort of thing, isn’t it? Then: ‘Male sexual victimization is more widespread than society admits!’ Now: ‘Of course queer men should be able to shower with little girls.’
Rowling wrote this while sharing a link to Reduxx mag that quoted a Canadian woman who said her daughters confronted a man in the women’s bathroom of a public pool. Angie TyrrellA mother from SaanichBritish Columbia, who reported the incident in a public pool. On July 5, Tyrrell’s 10-year-old daughter and her daughter’s 11-year-old friend met a man in the women’s changing room at the Commonwealth Place Recreation Center. The man, described as muscular with a hairy chest and back, wore a pink, sparkly bikini adorned with a tiara and frills.
The girls, visibly upset, reported the situation to Tyrell, who instructed them to change toilet stalls to avoid contact. Tyrell later observed other women and girls visibly upset in the changing area, including one teenage girl retreating to a stall after seeing the man. Tyrrell reported the incident to staff, only to be met with a response emphasizing the facility’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Subsequent correspondence with pool management revealed that the facility was in compliance British Columbia Human Rights Codewhich allows individuals to use spaces aligned with their self-declared gender identity. Despite Tyrrell’s objections, management suggested that those uncomfortable with the policy could use universal or private changing facilities instead.
Tyrell expressed outrage, questioning why women and girls should adjust their behavior to accommodate men in spaces traditionally reserved for women. Her concerns about safety and privacy went unanswered, and she has since avoided public facilities in Saanich.
The dispute mirrors similar incidents, such as one in Nanimo, BC, where a mother reported seeing a man allegedly under a stall occupied by her daughter. In that case, the facility allegedly threatened the mother with police action for challenging the man’s presence.