Gender-critical group responds after director spotted reading NSFW Harry Potter fan fiction on train
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Gender-critical group Sex Matters has found itself in the spotlight after claims surfaced that director of advocacy Helen Joyce was spotted reading explicit fan fiction based on the popular Harry Potter series on a train. The organisation has since responded to these allegations, confirming that Joyce was indeed reading the NSFW material for research purposes.
The incident came to light when a user on Twitter, @dschw89, shared pictures of Joyce on a train to Cambridge late one evening. The user claimed that Joyce was engrossed in reading chapters of a fan fiction story titled “Mudblood,” which features characters Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy engaging in explicit sexual activities.
According to the Twitter thread, Joyce was accompanied by two other leaders of Sex Matters, who were reportedly discussing organizing an event, editing the website, and talking about a Guardian article. The user expressed shock at seeing Joyce casually scrolling through Harry Potter porn while her colleagues were busy with work-related tasks.
In response to the allegations, Joyce explained that her reading of fan fiction was part of ongoing research into the role of such content in young women’s adoption of trans identities. She referenced a blog post from 2022 and a 2016 article in The Economist, where she has previously held senior roles, to support her claim that fan fiction plays a significant role in shaping gender identities.
Joyce defended her actions by stating that any proper journalist understands the importance of thorough research, even if it involves reading material that may be considered controversial or explicit. She emphasized that her work on fan fiction and its impact on gender identity formation is a crucial aspect of her advocacy against what she perceives as the harmful influence of gender-identity ideology.
A spokesperson for Sex Matters reiterated Joyce’s dedication to researching how young people, particularly girls, develop transgender identities. The spokesperson clarified that Joyce’s work on fan fiction is integral to her efforts in countering what the group views as the negative effects of gender-identity ideology. They emphasized that Joyce has extensively covered the topic in various publications and media appearances, including podcast interviews and articles for The Economist.
Despite the controversy surrounding Joyce’s choice of reading material, Sex Matters has stood by their director, affirming her commitment to thorough research and her advocacy against gender-identity ideology. The organization maintains that Joyce’s work on fan fiction is a crucial aspect of their mission to challenge prevailing narratives about gender and identity.
In conclusion, the recent incident involving Helen Joyce and Sex Matters highlights the complex and often contentious nature of discussions around gender, identity, and advocacy. While some may question Joyce’s choice of reading material, others see it as an essential component of her research into the influence of fan fiction on gender identity formation. As debates continue to unfold in this evolving landscape, it remains clear that issues related to gender and identity will remain at the forefront of public discourse for the foreseeable future.
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