Bluesky Draws Backlash for Suspending Trans Authors Over J.K. Rowling Criticism

The social media platform Bluesky is under fire from trans users for allegedly having their accounts suspended for their objections to author J.K. Rowling for her controversial criticism of various transgender issues.

As reported by PinkNews, trans director, writer, and YouTuber Jessie Earl, who goes by the username Jessie Gender, quoted a post by another trans user and wrote: “I also wish ill on JK Rowling.” Because of this, Bluesky’s moderation team suspended her. The original post that Earl quoted was written by American horror author and film and TV critic Gretchen Felker-Martin, in which she said “she hopes someone splits her skull” when referencing J.K. Rowling.

PinkNews speculates that Felker-Martin post was taken down because it violated Bluesky’s community guidelines, which forbid content that “shows or promotes violence or harm.”

When speaking to Assigned Media, Earl noted she didn’t mention the “original wording” of Felker-Martin post and her suspension as due to “my wishing ill on JK Rowling.”

Via Them, Earl also explains, “So that’s the state of things on Bluesky nowadays.” “It’s ok though, JK Rowling can still actively use her money to harm trans people and also get a multibillion dollar tv series, don’t worry!”

PRIDE.com reported that other trans users also encountered issues with Bluesky criticizing J.K. Rowling, including author Dani Finn, who said in a post, “I wish ill on J K Rowling.” The report states Bluesky took down to post and then admitted to making a mistake by stating it had been wrongly removed. The outlet reports that Bluesky has not gone after smaller accounts that have criticized Rowling.

But according to PinkNews, Earl’s post has not been restored. In support of the posts being removed, other Bluesky users have been posting that they “wish ill” on Rowling. Bluesky has currently reached 38 million users, according to Bluesky CEO Jay Graber.

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