Writers come together to protect JK Rowling from online abuse over trans comments

Over 200 writers and publishers have signed a letter supporting transgender and non-binary individuals.

This comes just days after several literary figures including Ian McEwan and Susan Hill, signed another letter defending the author JK Rowling "against hate" she was receiving online for her comments on the trans community.

Although this most recent letter signed by figures such as Max Porter and Patrick Ness, which was published online today, did not mention the Harry Potter author specifically, it stated that "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".

Back in June, the Fantastic Beasts author tweeted that "if sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased", a comment that infuriated and upset many in the trans and non-binary community. Swathes of online backlash followed Rowling's comments which resulted in many authors and others coming to her defence.

This, in turn, led to the creation of the previous letter published at the weekend, which was signed by 58 writers and authors, which stated: "Rowling has consistently shown herself to be an honourable and compassionate person,"

It said: "We are signing this letter in the hope that, 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."