Oxfam has denied a woman who was featured in its cartoon promoting Pride Month was JK Rowling after a backlash.
The charity had posted a video on social media which included an image of a woman with red hair wearing a “TERF” badge.
The footage sparked claims that the character depicted was the Harry Potter author, who has been vocal about her views on gender identity.
File pic: AP
Oxfam has now removed the video, edited out the woman and the TERF reference, and reposted the new version, as it apologised “for the offence caused”.
TERF – which stands for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist – is a derogatory term used to describe people who are critical of the inclusion of trans and gender-diverse individuals in the feminist movement.
JK Rowling posted a number of tweets in 2020 which sparked a furious backlash and prompted many to brand her a “TERF”.
Oxfam tweeted on Thursday that it had decided to remove the post because of “concerns raised with us”.
In a statement, the charity admitted it had made “a mistake” in its efforts to “make an important point about the real harm caused by transphobia”.
“We have therefore edited the video to remove the term TERF and we are sorry for the offence caused.”
Oxfam insisted there was “no intention” by itself or the filmmakers for the slide to have portrayed any particular person or people.”
“We fully support both an individual’s rights to hold their philosophical beliefs and a person’s right to have their identity respected, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.”
However, the charity was criticised by people on both sides of the debate on social media after backtracking.
It was accused of “pushing trans ideology” on young people while also “caving in” to “anti-trans fanatics”.
Read more:
JK Rowling says she knew views on trans issues would make fans ‘deeply unhappy’
‘I never set out to upset anyone’, Harry Potter author says in new podcast
Some vowed to boycott the charity with one person tweeting: “I will donate to other charities that don’t promote ludicrous gender ideology and publish slurs against women.”
Others suggested the statement was “insincere” and urged the charity to “stay in your lane”.
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Protesters disrupt gender debate
The furore online follows trans rights protesters interrupting a talk at the Oxford Union by a feminist who campaigns for women’s single sex spaces.
One demonstrator glued their hand to the floor in front of “gender critical” academic, Professor Kathleen Stock.
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