JK Rowling Is Right—Sex Is Real and It Is Not a “Spectrum” Biological sex in humans is a binary system.

The article, published in Quillette (2020), defends J.K. Rowling’s stance on biological sex amid controversy over her comments on gender. Author Colin Wright argues that sex is a binary, objective reality defined by reproductive anatomy and gamete production—sperm (male) or eggs (female)—rooted in evolutionary biology. He asserts that sex is not a spectrum, despite claims from gender ideology advocates, as intersex conditions (affecting 0.05-1.7% of people) represent variations within this binary, not a third sex. Wright critiques the conflation of sex with gender identity, emphasizing that biological facts remain independent of personal experience or social constructs. He supports Rowling’s view that recognizing sex is crucial for addressing women’s rights and safety, such as in single-sex spaces. The piece challenges progressive narratives that frame sex as fluid, accusing them of undermining science for ideological gain. Wright concludes that Rowling’s position aligns with empirical evidence, not bigotry, and calls for open debate on the issue. The article reflects broader tensions between biological determinism and gender theory.