J.K. Rowling had to police the internet again.
The “Harry Potter” author called out the United Kingdom-based Christian Voice for a homophobic tweet about British Olympic diver Tom Daley.
The prayer and lobby group posted an anti-gay message after the 22-year-old, who is engaged to screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, failed to qualify for the 10-meter platform final at Rio 2016.
Turning gay doesn't seem to have done Tom Daley any favours at #Rio2016 https://t.co/tdbT0Y5acx
— Christian Voice (@UKCV)
The organization didn’t go into further detail to reveal what possible link there could be between Daley’s sexuality and his athletic performance. But Rowling, who has a laudable history of schooling bigots online (see examples 1, 2, 3, 4) immediately leapt to her fellow countryman’s defense.
Can't decide which is more offensive in this tweet, the stupidity or the spite. https://t.co/ksqZp17drc
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling)
Her tweet is now going viral, with dozens of other Twitter users going after the organization ― and even calling for Rowling to unleash some dark magic on its members.
@jk_rowling That tweet is a plausible excuse for an Avada Kedavra.
— Jorge Guberte (@jorgeguberte)
@jk_rowling @UKCV Oh, yeah. I *turned* gay like Remus turned into a werewolf. Definitely the stupidity.
— Ardit Haliti (@ardit_haliti)
That people turn gay and that it affects diving. That's two stupids vs one spite. A gold medal to stupidity, silver to spite. @jk_rowling
— Cave Art Films (@Cave_Art_Films)
@jk_rowling @UKCV I'm a (moderately conservative) evangelical minister, and I'm horrified by that tweet. What were they thinking?
— Alistair May (@AlistairMay)
@jk_rowling @UKCV Coming out is a big enough thing for most of us, before you even consider qualifying for Olympics. He's amazing #TomDaley
— Jamie Wallis (@jamie_wallis)
The online backlash hasn’t deterred Christian Voice, which later posted this message:
#Rio2016 And we need to remember that Tom Daley only went gay because he was seduced by an older man: https://t.co/lsbQT1Jo3Z
— Christian Voice (@UKCV)
A brief look through the Christian Voice’s Twitter timeline revealed similar contempt for gay marriage, Islam and gender identity.
#Rio2016 We are hearing that some L&G athletes are 'married'. They are, of course, only gay-married: https://t.co/AovT1L4IAy
— Christian Voice (@UKCV)
#Rio2016 Semenya says Olympics is 'about not discriminating.' Er, women's events rightly discriminate against men: https://t.co/Z4V95adGkg
— Christian Voice (@UKCV)
Heartbreak and sorrow in #NiceAttack. Sincere condolences. Our prayers with the people of France. More death from #islam. Psalm 127:1
— Christian Voice (@UKCV)
The Huffington Post has reached out to Christian Voice for comment.
For more Olympics coverage:
- Snake Catching Makes Its Olympic Debut At Rio 2016
- 11 Weird Sports That Were Actually In The Olympics
- Amorous Couple Interrupts BBC’s Live Olympic Coverage
- Usain Bolt Is Just Too Flippin’ Quick For This Flipbook Artist
- Chinese Diver Pops The Question In Olympically Romantic Proposal
- Athlete Bows Out Of Rio 2016 With Olympic-Sized McDonald’s Meal
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