JK Rowling slams Harry, Meghan and Emma Watson for backing trans charity that gave chest-flattening binders to teens

Children as young as 13 and 14 were reportedly being offered chest binders without approval of their parents

UPDATED SEP 28, 2022

JK Rowling slammed celebrities like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Emma Watson, who without 'due diligence' publicly supported under fire transgender charity Mermaids (Stuart C. Wilson, Michael M. Santiago, Joe Maher/Getty Images)

LONDON, UK: Harry Potter author JK Rowling has hit out at all those celebrities and corporations who backed a transgender children’s charity, Mermaids, after it came under fire recently. The charity commission has assured that they will look into their functioning after it was found that the organization has been distributing chest binders to teens as young as 13. Their action has been opposed by many parents and now the situation will be "assessed" by the regulatory body.

The celebrated author commented on her Twitter account that many influential personalities supported Mermaids charity "without doing their due diligence," as critics are now calling for an official probe into this matter. She was referring to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Emma Watson who have publicly supported the tax-paying charity body.

#IStandWIthJKRowling trends after trans activist urges people to send author BOMBS; probe launched

JK Rowling had been previously accused of making transphobic comments and had to face a lot of heat publicly. (Getty Images) — JK Rowling had been previously accused of making transphobic comments and had to face a lot of heat publicly (Getty Images)

In a claim, the Daily Telegraph has said that children as young as 13 and 14 are being offered chest binders without approval of their parents. It further added that Mermaid’s online help center advises young kids that "hormone-blocking drugs are safe and totally reversible." However, many experts have disagreed with such a claim and there is not enough evidence in its support.

In her tweet, JK Rowling wrote, “@Mermaids_Gender's Chair of Trustees recently gave evidence under oath that Mermaids is 'not a medical organisation.' Now an investigation reveals they're advising kids on puberty blockers and providing binders to underage girls without parental consent.“

.@Mermaids_Gender's Chair of Trustees recently gave evidence under oath that Mermaids is "not a medical organisation." Now an investigation reveals they're advising kids on puberty blockers and providing binders to underage girls without parental consent.https://t.co/2rX4NTQYga
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 26, 2022

What is a breast binder?

Chest Binding, popularly called breast binder is a method of flattening breasts with the help of constrictive materials. These are usually super-tight garments, which many experts claim can cause terrible health problems, such as breathing and breastfeeding issues, broken ribs, chronic back pain, and a contributing factor in punctured lung.

The Charity Commission spokesperson said, “In general, allegations involving vulnerable young people are serious in nature and our guidance is clear – safeguarding should be a core priority for all charities and trustees. We are aware of concerns about Mermaids' service provision and are assessing the information to determine whether or not this is a matter for the Commission."

Over their official webpage, the body says "It identifies and assesses risk by focusing on the type and level of harm that may result if the risk materialises. This includes taking account of the size, profile and activities of the charity concerned."

Mermaid charity is led by Susie Green, who is a consultant and has been its CEO since 2016. She had taken her own child, 16, to Thailand for genital surgery since the age limit in the UK is 18.