JK Rowling has challenged Scotland’s new hate crime law in a series of social media posts - inviting police to arrest her if they believe she has committed an offence.

The Harry Potter author, who lives in Edinburgh, described several transgender women as men, including convicted prisoners, trans activists and other public figures.

She said “freedom of speech and belief” was at an end if accurate description of biological sex was outlawed.

Earlier, Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf said the new law would deal with a “rising tide of hatred”.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 creates a new crime of “stirring up hatred” relating to age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex.

Ms Rowling, who has long been a critic of some trans activism, posted on X on the day the new legislation came into force.

  • Ashe
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    9 months ago

    Trans people have literally been murdered as a direct, traceable result of her “free speech”. Several more people have been victims of harassment campaigns. She has actively engaged in Holocaust denial.

    It’s only cryptic because it’s something that requires nuance, and to be addressed on a case by case basis. It’s safe to say that we have crossed the line and then some