J.K. Rowling Blames Transgender Policies After Gym Assault
The author suggested that policies allowing individuals to use facilities aligning with their gender identity are exploited by predators, following an incident in Massachusetts.
Author J.K. Rowling has suggested that pro-transgender policies are to blame for an incident in which a convicted pedophile allegedly assaulted two women in a Planet Fitness locker room in Massachusetts. Rowling stated on social media that the "thing that never happens and could never happen and that only evil people predicted would happen has happened again," in response to a report about the October 1 incident.
Cambridge, Massachusetts police arrested Laquan Holland, 40, after he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the women's locker room. A second woman, who attempted to intervene, was also allegedly assaulted by Holland. According to reports, Holland touched the second victim's private areas without her consent.
Prosecutors have charged Holland with two counts of rape, two counts of assault and battery, kidnapping, and witness intimidation. Court records indicate Holland has a prior conviction from 2006 for two counts of child rape and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
Rowling's remarks suggest that policies allowing access to facilities based on self-declared gender identity are being exploited by predators. There is no evidence to suggest Holland identified as transgender. Rowling, who has previously stated she does not identify as transphobic and is concerned about women's rights, has argued that biological men identifying as women should not be permitted in female-only spaces.
Planet Fitness stated that the membership of the individual involved has been canceled and that the company is cooperating with law enforcement. The incident remains under investigation.