J.K. Rowling Calls Trans Paralympian 'Inspirational' But It's Sarcastic Scorn

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling continued her anti-trans crusade this week, this time targeting a sprinter at the Paris Paralympics .

Rowling took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to conjure a sarcastic taunt of visually impaired Italian competitor Valentina Petrillo. She met the events gender criteria and eventually advanced to the semifinals of the 400 meters in the T12 class before being eliminated .

Why all the anger about the inspirational Petrillo? The cheat community has never had this kind of visibility! Rowling wrote . Out and proud cheats like Petrillo prove the era of cheat-shaming is over. What a role model! I say we give Lance Armstrong his medals back and move on.

Rowling, whose vitriol on gender issues has saddened the stars of the Harry Potter movie adaptations, made news during the Paris Olympics just weeks ago too. She was reportedly mentioned in a cyber-harassment complaint  filed by gold-medal-winning boxer Imane Khelif. The Algerian athlete endured online hate amid false claims that she was not born a woman. Rowling called Khelif a male who enjoyed the distress of a woman hes just punched in the head.

Petrillo began transitioning five years ago and was a bronze medalist in her division in the 200 and 400 at the 2023 world championships.

We all have the right to a second choice of life, a second chance, she told The Associated Press before the Paris Games.