JK Rowling responds after Harry Potter fan sites distance themselves from author over trans views
Admins said recent Rowling comments are 'out of step’ with the series’ ‘message of acceptance’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.JK Rowling has spoken out after two of the biggest Harry Potter fan sites distanced themselves from the author because of her beliefs on transgender issues.
Websites The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet released a joint statement saying that the best-selling author’s views on “marginalised people” are ”out of step with the message of acceptance and empowerment we find in her books and celebrated by the Harry Potter community”.
Both websites announced they would no longer be providing links to Rowling’s personal website, using photographs of her, or writing about her achievements that are unrelated to the world of Harry Potter.
The statement also said that Rowling had voiced “harmful and disproven beliefs about what it means to be a transgender person”.
However, MuggleNet founder Emerson Spartz tweeted in support of Rowling, writing: “After hours of stomach churning & frantic pacing, I decided that, as founder of MuggleNet, I have to say something. I can’t believe I have to say this, but @jk_rowling is NOT transphobic.”
Rowling replied to Spartz, writing: “Thank you, Emerson, for being who I always thought you were.”
She included an emoji of the lightning bolt synonymous with the scar on Harry Potter’s head.
Last month, Rowling, 54, was criticised by many after posting a series of tweets that were widely described as “anti-trans”, which she then followed with a lengthy blog post.
The essay was criticised by LGBT+ advocacy groups and others for containing inaccuracies and perpetuating harmful beliefs about transgender people.
In their statement, the fan sites said that members have found it difficult to speak out against the author having respected her work for so long, but specified that “it would be wrong not to use our platforms to counteract the harm she has caused”.
“Our stance is firm: transgender women are women,” they continued.
“Transgender men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary. Intersex people exist and should not be forced to live in the binary. We stand with Harry Potter fans in these communities.”
Rowling recently tweeted praise of seminal horror novelist Stephen King, but deleted her comment when the Misery author tweeted back: “Trans women are women.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments