Malorie Blackman is among the 1,500 authors to sign a letter supporting the transgender and non-binary communities.
Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a BAFTA-award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy and a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz of Noughts & Crosses.
Roc Nation boss Jay-Z executive produced the soundtrack to her BBC production of Noughts & Crosses.
“This is a message of love and solidarity for the trans and non-binary community,” the open letter begins. “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 was published online after more than 50 actors, writers, journalists and playwrights wrote a response to apparent “hate speech” directed towards Harry Potter author, JK Rowling, which was published in The Sunday Times.
Activists and fans have extensively criticized Rowling for her remarks about transgender people, which many have viewed as harmful and transphobic. Rowling vehemently denies making any transphobic remarks.
“Non-binary lives are valid, trans women are women, trans men are men, trans rights are human rights,” the letter concludes. “From members of the UK and Irish publishing community.”
