Martina Navratilova (L), J.K. Rowling (R)

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has extended solidarity to Harry Potter author J.K Rowling following the latter’s post on social media. The author wrote a lengthy post regarding her experience of participating in debates on “gender ideology.”

Rowling has been outspoken on the question of transgender individuals in women’s spaces and has strongly opposed the transitioning of minors, participation of transgender women in women’s sports, and allowing transgender women to use restrooms and other spaces reserved for women.

The author’s views have led to a number of debates on social media, where she has tens of millions of followers across all platforms. Rowling has received significant backlash from some sections of social media, which have condemned her views.

On Monday, the author shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) response to an article in The New York Times. Jeremy W. Peters pointed out in the article that Rowling had been accused of betraying “real feminism” and had been sent posts of critics burning her books over her controversial takes on this issue.

In her response, Rowling argued that the author had downplayed the harassment of her and her family, termed it a “rewriting of history.” Rowling wrote,

“I’ve been sent thousands of threats of murder, rape and violence. A trans woman posted my family’s home address with a bomb-making guide. My eldest child was targeted by a prominent trans activist who attempted to doxx her and ended up doxxing the wrong young woman.”

The best-selling author also claimed that what she had endured was “nothing” in comparison to what others have been subjected to.

“By standing up to a movement that relies on threats of violence, ostracisation and guilt-by-association, all of us have been smeared and defamed, but many have lost their livelihoods[…] A full reckoning on the effects of gender ideology on individuals, society and politics is still a long way off, but I know this: the receipts will make very ugly reading when that time comes.”

Martina Navratilova, who has also spoken on the issue frequently, particularly regarding transgender women in women’s sports, appeared to agree with Rowling’s sentiment as she reposted the tweet, along with the caption,

“This!!!”

Martina Navratilova weighs in on “gender identity”

The former World No. 1 sides with Rowling on the trans debate Source: Getty

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has frequently criticized the participation of transgender individuals in women’s sports. The 68-year-old, who identifies as lesbian, has often argued that transgender women have a biological advantage over those who were assigned “female” at birth. She has sided with Rowling on the issue, often reposting and commenting on the latter’s social media posts.

During a recent interaction with fans on social media, Martina Navratilova recently gave her take on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” The former World No. 1 and multiple-time Grand Slam champion said,

“Being gay or a lesbian and being trans have nothing to do with each other- one is a sexual orientation, the other a gender identity.”

The tennis legend has also praised transgender athlete Nicole Powers over her decision to step away from women’s sports.