"You are transphobic"- JK Rowling reacts after German extremist Sven Liebich is allowed in women's prison following gender change

British author JK Rowling spoke out after reports revealed that German extremist Sven Liebich would be placed in a women’s prison. Liebich, now legally recognized as female, goes by Marla-Svenja Liebich and uses she/her pronouns.

Liebich will serve an 18-month sentence at Chemnitz women’s prison in Saxony from August 29, 2025.

On August 21, 2025, Rowling shared a screenshot of The Telegraph’s coverage of Liebich's case and offered sharp criticism of how the situation was being reported.

Rowling, who has been a vocal critic of gender identity policies in recent years, posted a pointed remark about how dissenting voices are often labeled as discriminatory. Explaining her stance, she suggested that anyone who questioned Liebich’s gender identity would be transphobic.

"If you don’t agree he’s found his authentic self and is valid, brave, and exceptionally vulnerable, you are transphobic," JK Rowling wrote in her post.

J.K. Rowling

@jk_rowling

If you don’t agree he’s found his authentic self and is valid, brave and exceptionally vulnerable, you are transphobic.

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More about Sven Liebich

Chancellor Merkel visits Chemnitz (Image via Getty)

As per the report published by the BBC on August 20, 2025, Sven Liebich was sentenced in July 2023 by the Halle District Court in Saxony-Anhalt to one year and six months in prison without parole.

The court found them guilty of charges that included extreme-right incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult. German media also noted that they had been previously involved with the neo-Nazi group Blood and Honour. Liebich appealed the ruling but ultimately lost.

At the time of the conviction, Liebich was still publicly known as Sven Liebich.

By the end of 2024, however, Liebich officially changed both their first name and gender marker under Germany’s Self-Determination Act. This law allows individuals to alter their legal gender and name through a declaration at a registry office rather than a court proceeding.

Due to her now changed gender identity, Liebich would now be allowed to serve time in a women’s prison.

Liebich's legal move quickly drew skepticism in German media. Der Spiegel questioned the sincerity of the change, writing:

"Whether the change is serious is doubtful. Liebich has been known for years for her right-wing extremist views and has also made queerphobic statements in the past."

In response, Liebich initiated legal action against several media outlets, arguing that they had misrepresented their gender identity. One such complaint, filed against Der Spiegel with the German Press Council, was unanimously rejected.

In defending its reporting, Der Spiegel stated that it was likely Liebich had altered the civil status "in an abusive manner to provoke and embarrass the state."

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JK Rowling criticizes BBC over pronoun use in Sven Liebich's Case

2019 RFK Ripple of Hope Awards (Image via Getty)

The aforementioned instance wasn’t the first time JK Rowling weighed in on the case of Sven Liebich. The 60-year-old author had also directed her criticism toward the BBC for its reporting on the case of Liebich and their use of pronouns when addressing this individual.

In the report published by the BBC on August 20, 2025, the outlet covered the case of Marla-Svenja Liebich (formerly Sven Liebich). The report, however, consistently referred to Liebich using she/her pronouns.

JK Rowling reacted strongly to this choice of language, arguing that the outlet’s decision reflected what she viewed as a dangerous adherence to gender identity ideology in the media.

She explained that the issue was not simply one of terminology, but of principle. In her view, the BBC was legitimizing a narrative that could extend even to violent criminals.

"BBC calls a male neo-N*zi ‘she’, because their absolutist belief in gender identity ideology means any man - r*pist, v*yeur, terrorist, murderer or p**dophile - must be described as a woman the moment he says he’s one," JK Rowling wrote in her post.

J.K. Rowling

@jk_rowling

The BBC calls a male neo-N*zi ‘she’, because their absolutist belief in gender identity ideology means any man - r*pist, v*yeur, terrorist, murderer or p**dophile - must be described as a woman the moment he says he’s one.

As per the Deadline report dated August 21, the BBC was asked for a response to Rowling’s comments but had not issued any official statement. The outlet also highlighted the BBC’s editorial style guide, which stated:

"We generally use the term and pronoun preferred by the person in question, unless there are editorial reasons not to do so."

Additionally, JK Rowling’s criticism came despite her professional ties with the broadcaster.

Rowling has an ongoing partnership with the BBC through Brontë Film and TV, the production company set up to adapt her Strike novels for television. Still, this relationship has not stopped her from repeatedly attacking the corporation, which she has accused of “shameful” reporting on transgender issues (as per the Deadline report dated August 21, 2025).

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At present, JK Rowling is focused on finishing her Robert Galbraith Strike novels. However, she has already begun work on a “futuristic” book, which she confirmed will become her priority once the Strike series is complete (as per Deadline).