JK Rowling sparks controversy with ‘conversion therapy’ tweets

JK Rowling has got herself in trouble after posting a string of tweets comparing "hormones and surgery" prescribed to trans people to "a new kind of conversation therapy."

Rowling clarified her stance on trans women and mental health. After, a supposedly fake screenshot was circulated on Twitter that those who use anti-depressants are "Lazy".

Next to the screenshot, Rowling wrote: "I've ignored fake tweets attributed to me and RTed widely. I've ignored porn tweeted at children on a thread about their art. I've ignored death and rape threats. I'm not going to ignore this.

"When you lie about what I believe about mental health medication and when you misrepresent the views of a trans woman for whom I feel nothing but admiration and solidarity, you cross a line," she continued, adding that she has publicly spoken about her own "mental health challenges" on numerous occasions.

"Many health professionals are concerned that young people struggling with their mental health are being shunted towards hormones and surgery when this may not be in their best interests.

"Many, myself included, believe we are watching a new kind of conversion therapy for young gay people, who are being set on a lifelong path of medicalisation that may result in the loss of their fertility and/or full sexual function."

Rowling then shared a link to a BBC documentary on the Tavistock Clinic, which treats young transgender people, and a link to an article claiming "the long-term health risks of cross-sex hormones have been now been tracked over a lengthy period."

"These side-effects are often minimised or denied by trans activists," the writer claimed.

Rowling's posts were met with an almost immediate backlash with many Twitter users pointing out securing hormone treatment is not easy.

Others took issue with her claim of links between hormone therapy and longterm health issues.

Model and activist Munroe Bergdorf was among Rowling's critics, writing: "J.K. Rowling is not a scientist. She is not a doctor. She is not an expert on gender. She is not a supporter of our community."

This incident has triggered fresh outbursts on JK Rowling controversy. Many fans believe that she has offended not only the trans community but those suffering problems regarding their mental health as well.