After posting a Pride Month animation with a character in a "hate group" who some claim resembles author J.K. Rowling, Oxfam has issued an apology.
The charity disputes that the woman in the cartoon with the red eyes and "Terf" badge is modeled after the author of the Harry Potter series.
Oxfam admitted that its attempt to illustrate "the real harm caused by transphobia" was flawed.
Because she expressed concern about how transgender issues affect women's rights, Rowling sparked controversy.
The image of a woman and two irate men pointing fingers at objects in a rainbow of colors has since been taken down by Oxfam.
The statement was accompanied by the statement that "LGBTQIA+ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual] people around the world" were being "preyed on by hate groups online and offline.".
An insulting term for those who are deemed hostile to transgender people is "terf" (trans-exclusionary radical feminist).
In her speeches, Rowling has opposed granting transgender people access to single-sex areas. The author, however, insists that she is not transphobic and that she supports trans rights.
People who were offended by the original video and those who believe Oxfam caved to pressure by re-editing it have both criticized the charity.
"Oxfam believes that all people, including members of LGBTQIA+ communities, should be able to make decisions that affect their lives, enjoy their rights, and live a life free from discrimination and violence," the organization said in a statement.
"We erred in our attempt to make a significant point about the true harm transphobia causes.
"As a result, we edited the video to remove the word "Terf," and we apologize for the offense it may have caused.
"This slide was not intended to portray any specific person or people, either by Oxfam or the film's creators.
No matter a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, we fully support both their right to hold their philosophical convictions and their right to have their identity respected.
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