Trans Bluesky users claim they’re being suspended for ‘mild criticism’ of JK Rowling

Trans Bluesky users have claimed they are having their accounts suspended for what they describe as “mild” criticism of controversial author JK Rowling.

Earlier this month, trans director and writer Jessie Earl – who uses the username Jessie Gender – was suspended for 24 hours by Bluesky’s moderation team after she quoted a post by another trans user and wrote: “I also wish ill on JK Rowling.”

The original post Earl quoted was by trans author Gretchen Felker-Martin, who had written that she hopes “someone splits her skull” in reference to JK Rowling.

Felker-Martin’s post may likely have been removed due to Bluesky’s community guidelines which prohibits content that “shows or promotes violence or harm”, wherein users must not make posts that “glorify violence or harm” including “violence or threats against others”.

However, Earl did not make reference to this original wording and she told Assigned Media that her suspension was due to “my wishing ill on JK Rowling”.

“My words were mild – especially compared to Rowling’s own rhetoric about trans people,” Earl told the outlet on email. “‘Wishing Ill’ is vague; it could mean anything from wishing her eternal torment to hoping her coffee’s lukewarm.”

Further to Earl’s suspension, non-binary author Dani Finn also reportedly faced the same penalty for writing the same phrase, with Finn echoing Earl’s comments in their own statement to Assigned Media, saying ‘wishing ill’ could refer to “having your TV show canceled due to your role in international transphobic policy.”

Finn was not quote-posting Felker-Martin and made it clear they were just posting the sentiment as a test of Bluesky’s moderation policies.

Finn went on to say that if Bluesky’s definition of harm includes “wishing ill” then “words have lost all meaning and they can censor any criticism they don’t like”.

“If criticism of public figures is no longer allowed – then the clouds have truly covered these once blue skies,” they said.

The suspensions have led to many trans Bluesky users fearing their accounts may be suspended or banned altogether for simply criticising the Harry Potter author – who is well-known for her gender- critical views.

In solidarity, many users began to write on their own accounts that they also “wish ill” on Rowling.

In response to Assigned Media, a spokesperson for Bluesky clarified the company took action against Felker-Martin because “the user stated that they wanted to ‘split the skull’ of another person, who they named”, adding: “This violates our policy of explicit death threats.”

However, when the publication queried why Earl and Finn’s accounts were suspended, the spokesperson said: “Still checking on other accounts but you can definitely say that Gretchen’s account is what I’m referring to – it violates our policy.”

Subsequently, Finn’s post was restored but Earl’s – which used the same wording – was not.

For many people, Bluesky has served as an alternative to X, formerly known as Twitter, following Elon Musk’s take over of the platform.

In November, following the election of Donald Trump for a second term, the platform audience hit 19 million, with 700,000 new Bluesky members in just one week.

PinkNews has approached Bluesky for comment and for clarification on its community guidelines.