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JK Rowling names and shames trans activists who doxed her amid spate of death threats

JK Rowling has been labeled transphobic after she mocked a June 2020 article that used the phrase 'people who menstruate'

JK Rowling, creator of the famous 'Harry Potter' franchise, lashed out at three trans activists who allegedly tried to "intimidate" her by protesting outside her house and posting a picture of her address on social media.

The 56-year-old author has been labeled transphobic after she mocked a June 2020 article that referred to women as "people who menstruate." She later defended herself in a sensational essay but has continued to face backlash. It's worth noting that Rowling was disinvited from the upcoming Harry Potter 20th anniversary reunion over her controversial views.

Now, it has emerged that three LGBTQ activists held a demonstration outside the author's Edinburgh home while holding pro-trans signs on Friday, November 19. Rowling's residential address was clearly visible in the background of a photo shared by the activists on social media.

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Rowling blasted the trio for "doxing" her and trying to intimidate her for "speaking up for women's sex-based rights". She went on to identify the activists as Holly Stars, Georgia Frost, and Richard Energy, revealing that she has received so many death threats over the LGBTQ row that she ould "paper the house with them." Downing Street denounced the targeting of Rowling of the activists. "I don't think any individual should be targeted in that way," the prime minister's official spokesman said. "We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and that people are able to share their views as long as it is done in that fashion."

After the news broke, Holly Stars posted a statement on social media saying they had taken down the photo due to an avalanche of abuse. According to the Daily Mail, Stars is a well-known drag queen with her own series on Amazon Prime. She's also a comedy writer, stand-up comedian, and cabaret host. Stars wrote and starred in the West End show 'Death Drop' and also produces and presents a monthly Soho cabaret. Meanwhile, Richard Energy is a drag king and comedian in London and is considered a rising star in the drag scene. Finally, Georgia Frost is an established actress who has appeared in several BBC productions including 'Casualty' and sitcom 'The Other One'. All three activists have deactivated their Twitter accounts due to the backlash over their demonstration.

"Last Friday, my family's address was posted on Twitter by three activist actors who took pictures of themselves in front of our house, carefully positioning themselves to ensure that our address was visible," Rowling tweeted on Monday, November 22. "I want to say a massive thank you to everybody who reported the image to @TwitterSupport. Your kindness and decency made all the difference to my family and me. I'd also like to thank @PoliceScotland for their support and assistance in this matter."

She continued, "Over the last few years I've watched, appalled, as women like Allison Bailey, Raquel Sanchez, Marion Miller, Rosie Duffield, Joanna Cherry, Julie Bindel, Rosa Freedman, Kathleen Stock and many, many others, including women who have no public profile but who've contacted me to relate their experiences, have been subject to campaigns of intimidation which range from being hounded on social media, the targeting of their employers, all the way up to doxing and direct threats of violence, including rape."

"None of these women are protected in the way I am," Rowling explained. "They and their families have been put into a state of fear and distress for no other reason than that they refuse to uncritically accept that the socio-political concept of gender identity should replace that of sex. I have to assume that @IAmGeorgiaFrost, @hollywstars and @Richard_Energy_ thought doxxing me would intimidate me out of speaking up for women's sex-based rights," she wrote, identifying the activists. "They should have reflected on the fact that I've now received so many death threats I could paper the house with them, and I haven't stopped speaking out. Perhaps – and I'm just throwing this out there – the best way to prove your movement isn't a threat to women, is to stop stalking, harassing, and threatening us," she added.

Holly Stars responded on behalf of all three trans activists before they took down their respective Twitter accounts. "Yesterday we posted a picture we took at JK Rowling's house," they tweeted. "While we stand by the photo, since posting it we have received an overwhelming amount of serious and threatening transphobic messages so have decided to take the photo down. #transrightsarehumanrights. Love to our trans siblings." The post was signed, "G, Richard, Holly."

The author was defended by SNP MP Joanna Cherry, one of the women mentioned in her tweets. "#IStandWithJKRowling & like her I will never give in to the lies, harassment, threats & intimidation of those who seek to silence our voices & I will continue to speak up for the sex-based rights of women & lesbians," Cherry wrote.