In response to an open letter signed by hundreds of contributors, The New York Times (NYT) has been criticized for publishing an opinion piece defending author JK Rowling’s views on trans people. The letter from advocacy group GLAAD had condemned the newspaper’s coverage of trans people. Olivia Julianna, Gen-Z for Change Politics & Government Affairs director, said the article contributes to “radicalisation and violent rhetoric”. The JK Rowling article, titled “In defence of JK Rowling”, written by columnist Pamela Paul, argued that criticism of Rowling’s views on trans people is unjust. In addition to the opinion piece, a letter was sent to staff and freelancers stating that policy “prohibits” its staff from “aligning themselves with advocacy groups and joining protest actions”.
Activists, including trans rights activist Rose Schmits, have expressed condemnation of the piece and its message that criticism of Rowling’s views can be compared to the brutal attack that left Salman Rushdie in critical condition for weeks. The open letter from GLAAD, signed by over 350 current and former contributors, stated that writers who cover trans issues fairly are “eclipsed” by the sheer volume of anti-trans articles in the paper. The signatories collectively agreed that the estimated 15,000 words of anti-trans rhetoric compare to the 20th-century treatment of homosexuality by news outlets.
Despite the condemnation, the newspaper has defended its coverage of trans issues, stating that policy prohibits its staff from aligning themselves with advocacy groups and joining protest actions. The NYT director of external communications, Charlie Stadtlander, confirmed that the paper had received the letter from GLAAD following a campaign by the group outside its offices near Times Square.