Article: “JK Rowling said asexual people don’t face discrimination. She couldn’t be more wrong.”

[Blueberry Pie]

Category: Commentary article
Author or Source: Tyger Songbird from LGBTQ Nation 
Title: “JK Rowling said asexual people don’t face discrimination. She couldn’t be more wrong.“
Date: April 22, 2025
Link: https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/04/jk-rowling-said-asexual-people-dont-face-discrimination-she-couldnt-be-more-wrong/

[Kelly]

I read it earlier and was thinking of posting it. Thanks!  

[Guest]

cancel jk rowling. And don't read her works. She believes that people who read her works agree with her beliefs. crazy

[Parysatis]

I don't even know who that is ...

[Philip027]

JKR being wrong about something?  Must be another day that ends in -y.

 

6 minutes ago, Parysatis said:

I don't even know who that is ...

I would tell you, but you're in such a blessed position right now and I don't want to be the one who ruins that.

[Bruce Wayne]

41 minutes ago, binary suns said:

cancel jk rowling. And don't read her works. She believes that people who read her works agree with her beliefs. crazy

I'll have to keep reminding this to everyone who hasn't yet gotten rid of any of her stupid so-called literature. 

 

She's insane. Like all other TERFs.

[fantastic mx. foxglove]

I feel like the fact that JKR went after aces at all is proof alone that aces face discrimination 

[awadama]

She's a menace.

[everywhere and nowhere]

About Tyger Songbird's article itself...

First, I'm grateful for him quoting the case of that woman from Senegal whom her family tried to force into marriage. This proves that in extreme cases, asexual visibility can be a matter of life and death. And I see another area which asexual activism should concentrate on (other than ban on anti-asexual conversion pseudotherapy): explicitly including asexuality in laws about protection on basis of sexual orientation. Even if asexuality and celibacy aren't illegal anywhere, some of the dangers faced by asexual people are basically identical to those which threaten gays and lesbians.

Second, the issue of asexual women being denied procedures such as pap smears... I think that this argument is a double-edged sword and should be used with caution.

1. I have seen many examples of the opposite happening: of asexual women being pushed to agree to pap smears, because providers cannot imagine the existence of sexually inactive adults. Having never had any kind of sexual contact means much lower risk of cervical cancer and virtually zero risk of contracting HPV.
2. While I avoid reading descriptions of such examinations, because I'm so extremely terrified of it that anything related to the topic can be very triggering to me... as far as I know, virgins - at least: "also" - face the opposite problem more generally: of doctors and nurses not being gentle because, again, they cannot imagine that an adult person may have no sexual experience.
3. And anyway... people who need and want access to a g. should have it, but we should also emphasise the right not to visit one. Yes, rejecting g. visits means lower health protection and this is something a person should be aware of - but it's a risk they have a right to take! If someone's fear of such an examination is extreme and they cannot overcome it, or don't want to overcome it, or just don't want to become the version of themself who would accept it and undergo such examinations - this is a choice they are entitled to!!

[jont]

How arrogant. How can anyone authoritatively know that members of an identifiable group do not experience discrimination? Her statement is so logically invalid that it needs no refutation, but it can be refuted easily with a single example. She should stick to writings clearly designated as fiction.

[Qiri]

She just seems to get more and more unhinged as time goes on.

[Skycaptain]

What do you expect from someone who got famous peddling fiction and fantasy 

[thylacine]

What she said is absolutely ignorant and outrageous.  It's just un-freaking-believable.

[The One Who Asked The Star]

I hate what she said but I still like her books is that wrong? They were really well written and fun to read, the author just happens to be insane 

[nickolekuebler]

13 minutes ago, Book Obsessor said:

I hate what she said but I still like her books is that wrong? They were really well written and fun to read, the author just happens to be insane 

I have the same opinion as you, I'm sorry to say. I tend to try not to let my dislike for a person extend to brands even ones that they are associated with. I do this cause I have found that in the end it may not be the overall view of all involved. I am however having a little bit of trouble with this in the current political situation with Elon Musk. I find him to be way too over the top and horrible, and unfortunately tesla is a brand that has gotten him attached to it it and as such is quickly becoming a political statement more than a vehicle. I don't want to be driving a political statement so I think I would likely opt for the Rivian over any Tesla model. but that is really the main brand that I just can't bring myself to separate from the person. 

[everywhere and nowhere]

4 hours ago, nickolekuebler said:

I am however having a little bit of trouble with this in the current political situation with Elon Musk. I find him to be way too over the top and horrible, and unfortunately tesla is a brand that has gotten him attached to it it and as such is quickly becoming a political statement more than a vehicle. I don't want to be driving a political statement so I think I would likely opt for the Rivian over any Tesla model. but that is really the main brand that I just can't bring myself to separate from the person. 

I've read that some people now put stickers on their cars, such as "I bought a tesla before Elon went crazy". However, I doubt if there was any "before". Judging by the names he gives to his children offspring, and by him having been nominated several times to the final of a "competition" called "World's Worst Boss" or something like this, meant to highlight exaploitation and just shitty behaviour in business... I think that this guy has always been a sociopath, and now he has just been given access to real power and decision-making...

At least, I don't have this problem: I will never have a car, because I'm terrified of driving. But I realise that there are a lot of problems around the issue... for example, to look at it from a different angle: how the possibility of participating in a boycott is by itself an economic privilege. Many people might prefer not to support a given company (this works particularly in case of shops, because everyone needs to do grocery shopping) for its bad practices (example: Auchan continuing doing business in russia even after putin's savage invasion on Ukraine)... but they are dependent on it because of its low prices, and they cannot afford switching to a more expensive one...

[Qiri]

5 hours ago, Book Obsessor said:

I hate what she said but I still like her books is that wrong? They were really well written and fun to read, the author just happens to be insane 

Yeah, I'm in the same boat as you. I really liked HP when I was younger, and it's difficult to reconcile that with how JKR has been behaving. It goes to the discussion of if you can separate the art from the artist. 

 

I know some people who believe it's fine to continue to enjoy HP as long as you do not financially contribute to the author. If you have already bought books, movies, merch, and so on - you can continue to use and enjoy what you already have. But you shouldn't buy new official licensed things where JK will get monies from it. If you want more HP stuff, buy from independent artists and crafters - support them and their work, enjoy the HP world, but do not let any of your money go to her from now on.  

 

I know some people who believe that she is so wealthy (approximately £800 million), boycotting her stuff won't make a real noticeable difference to her finances. She still has enough money to do whatever she wants, and donate generously to whatever group she wants to donate to. The HP brand is so ubiquitous around the world, no amount of boycotting HP will make a dent in her visibility either. So if HP was/is important to you and is a source of joy, then it's fine to continue to enjoy it and buy official merch/products. The average person will not immediately assume that because you like HP, you support her views.  

 

I know some people who believe that it's not acceptable to support or enjoy the HP brand at all - including any visibility with products you already own. Giving her visibility is lending support to her and proving her point in a way - people are still buying her stuff; therefore, people agree with her and want to continue to support her. Especially with the recent UK Supreme Court ruling, it's clear to see how she can use her influence and finances to push her beliefs. The only acceptable approach is to completely boycott everything HP-related and find an alternative fantasy universe to get immersed in. There are many to choose from.

[Frameshift07]

13 minutes ago, Qiri said:

So if HP was/is important to you and is a source of joy, then it's fine to continue to enjoy it and buy official merch/products.

Ugh.

[aceofhearts4]

16 hours ago, fantastic mx. foxglove said:

I feel like the fact that JKR went after aces at all is proof alone that aces face discrimination 

Exactly! Thank you, when people say things like that it just proves that they are wrong. 

[aceofhearts4]

6 hours ago, Book Obsessor said:

I hate what she said but I still like her books is that wrong? They were really well written and fun to read, the author just happens to be insane 

It's okay to like her books, just don't spend money on anything she makes. The last thing that bigoted bitch needs is more money.

[Gentle Giant]

I’m so disgusted with JKR. I used to be a fan of HP. I will not buy anything new from her and I’m thinking about getting rid of the few HP things I do have.

[Frameshift07]

26 minutes ago, Gentle Giant said:

I’m so disgusted with JKR. I used to be a fan of HP. I will not buy anything new from her and I’m thinking about getting rid of the few HP things I do have.

Good! There's probably media out there that does a better job of exploring the same themes anyway.

[Skycaptain]

I wouldn't call her insane. Calling TERFs insane is highly insulting to the genuinely mentally affiliated 

[fantastic mx. foxglove]

8 hours ago, Frameshift07 said:

Good! There's probably media out there that does a better job of exploring the same themes anyway.

Funny that you should say that. I watched a video essay recently that talked about how HP isn't a super original concept and is predominately derived from common tropes within the genre. There's lots of books that predate HP that feature a young wizard going to school, and often have many similar events that transpire in HP

 

The video essay can be found here

 

This is also a list of similar books that are referenced in the video in case folks are interested in checking them out:

 

Neil Gaiman – The Books of Magic (1990) [even though he is also not-so-great of a person]
Ursula K. Le Guin – A Wizard of Earthsea (1968)
Jill Murphy - The Worst Witch (1974-2018)
Diane Duane – So You Want to Be a Wizard (1983)
Mary Stewart – The Little Broomstick (1971)
Terry Pratchett – Equal Rites (1987)
Liz Truss – Ten Years to Save the West (2024)

Anthony Horowitz - Groosham Grange (1988)

[nickolekuebler]

12 hours ago, everywhere and nowhere said:

"I bought a tesla before Elon went crazy"

I have seen these stickers. there are a few different variations of them. I have also seen that there are people out there doing Tesla debadging and badging them in different auto manufacturer logos. I think that one of the main problems right now with trying to boycott tesla is that they have so much of their tech in other vehicles as well. I will use the example of the Toyota rav4 ev and the Mercedes B series car, they both used the large drive unit the same as from the rear end of the Tesla Model S. There are also several other manufacturers out there right now that are using battery tech from Tesla. Also the last major problem is that most manufacturers in north America are now switching to the NACS charging port on their new vehicles. This charging port has come natively on Tesla for a long time now, so most new manufactures are signing contracts with Tesla to be able to use their super charger network. I do know that there are several other companies out there that are now beginning to roll out super chargers that have the NACS port on them so you won't need and adapter to charge at them, but unfortunately Tesla has the largest charging network in North America. 

 

Yes I know that I am a total nerd and have done a lot of research on the subject. I have been debating on buying an EV for my next vehicle and want to know everything that I can before I do anything. I am also a Mechanic so I wanted to know that I would be able to understand how to work on the car as well. 

[everywhere and nowhere]

1 minute ago, nickolekuebler said:

Yes I know that I am a total nerd and have done a lot of research on the subject. I have been debating on buying an EV for my next vehicle and want to know everything that I can before I do anything. I am also a Mechanic so I wanted to know that I would be able to understand how to work on the car as well. 

I am, in turn, as uninterested in cars as it gets. I don't even distinguish brands (and distinguishing cars by colour is getting harder and harder, hweh hweh, since almost all have become gray, gray. gray, black, white or silver)...

4 minutes ago, nickolekuebler said:

Also the last major problem is that most manufacturers in north America are now switching to the NACS charging port on their new vehicles. This charging port has come natively on Tesla for a long time now, so most new manufactures are signing contracts with Tesla to be able to use their super charger network.

...but, by the way, I have read that Elon Rusk was pushing to have his plug adopted as the standard in charging stations.

We need more anty-monopoly protection.

[nickolekuebler]

2 hours ago, everywhere and nowhere said:

..but, by the way, I have read that Elon Rusk was pushing to have his plug adopted as the standard in charging stations.

We need more anty-monopoly protection.

this is in fact the case, at least in North America. the plug that is used on Tesla is the NACS and it is being adopted by most manufacturers in the U.S. right now. I do know though that there are other companies out there that are making their chargers come with this plug but since it has been the standard on Tesla for so long they will have the largest number of chargers. I do know though that with his current role his company is not doing well and is looking to be likely to be in serious financial trouble very soon. 

[Sally]

1 hour ago, nickolekuebler said:

I do know though that with his current role his company is not doing well and is looking to be likely to be in serious financial trouble very soon. 

He's planning to not spend so much time screwing up the US government (boo) and go back to screwing up his businesses (yay).  

[daveb]

Everything else aside, I think standardized chargers would be a good thing. I've always found it annoying when every laptop brand and model seemed to have its own proprietary power cable connection. There was the time I was travelling and forgot to pack the power cable. I tried to buy a replacement, but couldn't find the exact type I needed, so the laptop became a deadweight for the entire rest of the trip.

 

Every gas pump I have ever encountered or know of works with every gas-powered car, truck, etc., as far as I know. Or if there are exceptions, I never heard of them. Imagine of you had to go to specific gas stations to gas up your car.

 

Although, I don't think all of the gas pumps and gas tanks are made by one company or licensed out to other companies.

[nickolekuebler]

4 minutes ago, daveb said:

Everything else aside, I think standardized chargers would be a good thing. I've always found it annoying when every laptop brand and model seemed to have its own proprietary power cable connection. There was the time I was travelling and forgot to pack the power cable. I tried to buy a replacement, but couldn't find the exact type I needed, so the laptop became a deadweight for the entire rest of the trip.

 

Every gas pump I have ever encountered or know of works with every gas-powered car, truck, etc., as far as I know. Or if there are exceptions, I never heard of them. Imagine of you had to go to specific gas stations to gas up your car.

 

Although, I don't think all of the gas pumps and gas tanks are made by one company or licensed out to other companies.

You are absolutely correct. I do agree that the use of a standardized charging port will make the worries of ev ownership much less. one thing that so many people worry about with these vehicles is where can they charge, and also how long does it take to charge. I know these are issues that are always being looked at by the manufacturers and I think this will be a good step in the right direction so long as the money does not all end up getting routed to the pocket of Elon Musk. 

 

I remember back before cell phones were so mainstream and a must have for everyone they all had different charging cables. I had an old Nokia brick phone and I remember it had the really long charger that went across the whole bottom of the phone. I am so glad to see that that has changed and now even the new Iphone uses the same charger. now if we could just get them to include the charging brick with the phones again.