Hundreds more literary figures sign powerful letter of support to trans and non-binary people. JK Rowling still yet to add her name
Jeanette Winterson, Malorie Blackman and Joanne Harris were among more than 200 signatories of the letter supporting trans and non-binary people. (David Levenson/Getty, Jeff Spicer/Getty and Awakening/Getty)
A powerful letter of solidarity from the literary community to trans and non-binary people has amassed a staggering 1,500 signatures, showing that love always triumphs over hate.
The open letter, organised by writers Daisy Johnson and Kiran Millwood Hargrave, was first published on Wednesday (30 September) with more than 200 signatures from high-profile literary figures such as Jeanette Winterson and Malorie Blackman.
Following the publication of the letter, hundreds of literary figures rushed forward to add their signatures.
On Thursday (1 October), the letter was republished complete with 1,521 signatures from literary figures across the UK and Ireland.
More than 1,500 literary figures throw their weight behind the trans community in letter organised by Daisy Johnson and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
The letter, published on the website of bookshop The Second Shelf, reads: “We stand in support of trans and non-binary people and their rights.
“This is a message of love and solidarity for the trans and non-binary community. Culture is, and should always be, at the forefront of societal change, and as writers, editors, agents, journalists, and publishing professionals, we recognise the vital role our industry has in advancing and supporting the wellbeing and rights of trans and non-binary people.
“We stand with you, we hear you, we see you, we accept you, we love you. The world is better for having you in it.”
The letter added: “Non-binary lives are valid, trans women are women, trans men are men, trans rights are human rights.”
Signatories of the letter include Juno Dawson, Elizabeth Day, Jamie Windust, Divina DiCampo, Sally Rooney, Calum McSwiggan, and Naoise Dolan.
After the letter was published on Wednesday, young adult fiction author Melinda Salisbury wrote on Twitter: “I asked for my name to be signed in blood, to underscore the seriousness and vehemence of my support for my trans and enby pals and future-pals.
We stand with you, we hear you, we see you, we accept you, we love you. The world is better for having you in it.
“And while I now concede signing things in blood makes printing them difficult, the sentiment remains.”
The powerful letter of support comes just days after 58 writers signed another letter, published by The Times, defending JK Rowling against “hate”.
The letter, signed by authors such as Ian McEwan and Rachel Rooney, stated: “If more people stand up against the targeting of women online, we might at least make it less acceptable to engage in it or profit from it.
“We wish JK Rowling well and stand in solidarity with her.”
