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09:51, 26 April 2024: 92.21.168.8 (talk) triggered filter 1, performing the action "edit" on J. K. Rowling. Actions taken: Disallow; Filter description: Suspicious, massive change to article (examine)

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We at the "pro-transgender" Rationalwiki love transgender rapists raping women in women's spaces, it's the name of progressivism! We are all left-wing child-raping pedophiles ourselves, it's bring us immense sexual pleasure to see women and children get molester by men in dresses!
[[File:Jk-rowling-crop.JPG|right|thumb|165px|Double, double toil and trouble.]]
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Transgender rights!!
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{{cquote|every time rowling tweets the first part of her obituary gets shorter and the second part gets longer|||[[Shaun|shaun_vids]] on how Rowling's transphobia has not only [[#Tarnishing legacy as a beloved author|tarnished her current legacy]] but will likely [[Anita Bryant|define how the future remembers her]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20221217213122/https://twitter.com/shaun_vids/status/1604219451204845569</ref>}}
 
{{cquote|I would say that some of you have not understood the books. The Death Eaters claimed, 'We have been made to live in secret, and now is our time, and any who [[Queerphobia|stand in our way must be destroyed]]. If you disagree with us, [[False equivalency|you must die]].' They demonised and dehumanised those who were not like them. I am fighting what I see as a powerful, insidious, misogynistic movement, that has gained huge purchase in very influential areas of society. I do not see this particular movement as either benign or powerless.|||Rowling telling readers who thought ''Harry Potter'' was a story about finding community and fighting [[bigotry]] that it's actually about how trans people are just like Nazis<ref name="harrison2">Ellie Harrison, "[https://archive.is/Ettzf JK Rowling says she 'absolutely' knew Harry Potter fans would be 'deeply unhappy' over trans views]", The Independent, 14 March 2023</ref>}}
 
'''Joanne Rowling''', {{lived|1965}} pen name '''J(ust) K(idding) Rowling'''<ref group=note>J. K. Rowling wasn't given a middle name. When choosing to write under initials, she added a "K." after her grandmother, Kathleen. Wikipedia confidently states that her surname is pronounced ''/ˈroʊlɪŋ/ ROH-ling'', but most people ignore this.</ref> and sometimes known as<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220815043302/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling</ref> the male writer '''Robert Galbraith''',<ref group=note>Robert Galbraith is the name under which Rowling writes the Cormoran Strike detective novels for adults.</ref> is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[author]], former billionaire,<ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/books/news/article.cfm?c_id=134&objectid=10791515 From billionaire to millionaire], New Zealand Herald, 12 Mar, 2012</ref> prominent [[Trans-exclusionary radical feminism|TERF]] (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), and Nazi crimes denier.<ref name="JKRForward"/><ref name="JKRStranger"/> Since becoming a vocal TERF, she has been known among some ''Harry Potter'' fans as "'''she who must not be named'''"- a reference to a similar moniker for {{wpl|Lord Voldemort|Lord Voldemort,}} the main antagonist of her ''magnum opus''.<ref>[https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2020/07/jk-rowling-now-she-who-must-not-be-named-for-harry-potter-fans.html JK Rowling now 'she who must not be named' for Harry Potter fans] (04/07/2020) ''Newshub''.</ref> She went from hailed author of the beloved ''Harry Potter'' series to a fallen hero who now spends her time [[concern troll|concern trolling]] and defending [[transphobia]] as sacred and untouchable.
 
  
 
==''Harry Potter'' series==
 
==''Harry Potter'' series==

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'{{bronze}} [[File:Jk-rowling-crop.JPG|right|thumb|165px|Double, double toil and trouble.]] {{gender}} {{cquote|every time rowling tweets the first part of her obituary gets shorter and the second part gets longer|||[[Shaun|shaun_vids]] on how Rowling's transphobia has not only [[#Tarnishing legacy as a beloved author|tarnished her current legacy]] but will likely [[Anita Bryant|define how the future remembers her]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20221217213122/https://twitter.com/shaun_vids/status/1604219451204845569</ref>}} {{cquote|I would say that some of you have not understood the books. The Death Eaters claimed, 'We have been made to live in secret, and now is our time, and any who [[Queerphobia|stand in our way must be destroyed]]. If you disagree with us, [[False equivalency|you must die]].' They demonised and dehumanised those who were not like them. I am fighting what I see as a powerful, insidious, misogynistic movement, that has gained huge purchase in very influential areas of society. I do not see this particular movement as either benign or powerless.|||Rowling telling readers who thought ''Harry Potter'' was a story about finding community and fighting [[bigotry]] that it's actually about how trans people are just like Nazis<ref name="harrison2">Ellie Harrison, "[https://archive.is/Ettzf JK Rowling says she 'absolutely' knew Harry Potter fans would be 'deeply unhappy' over trans views]", The Independent, 14 March 2023</ref>}} '''Joanne Rowling''', {{lived|1965}} pen name '''J(ust) K(idding) Rowling'''<ref group=note>J. K. Rowling wasn't given a middle name. When choosing to write under initials, she added a "K." after her grandmother, Kathleen. Wikipedia confidently states that her surname is pronounced ''/ˈroʊlɪŋ/ ROH-ling'', but most people ignore this.</ref> and sometimes known as<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220815043302/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling</ref> the male writer '''Robert Galbraith''',<ref group=note>Robert Galbraith is the name under which Rowling writes the Cormoran Strike detective novels for adults.</ref> is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[author]], former billionaire,<ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/books/news/article.cfm?c_id=134&objectid=10791515 From billionaire to millionaire], New Zealand Herald, 12 Mar, 2012</ref> prominent [[Trans-exclusionary radical feminism|TERF]] (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), and Nazi crimes denier.<ref name="JKRForward"/><ref name="JKRStranger"/> Since becoming a vocal TERF, she has been known among some ''Harry Potter'' fans as "'''she who must not be named'''"- a reference to a similar moniker for {{wpl|Lord Voldemort|Lord Voldemort,}} the main antagonist of her ''magnum opus''.<ref>[https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2020/07/jk-rowling-now-she-who-must-not-be-named-for-harry-potter-fans.html JK Rowling now 'she who must not be named' for Harry Potter fans] (04/07/2020) ''Newshub''.</ref> She went from hailed author of the beloved ''Harry Potter'' series to a fallen hero who now spends her time [[concern troll|concern trolling]] and defending [[transphobia]] as sacred and untouchable. ==''Harry Potter'' series== [[File:Harry Potter wordmark.svg|thumb|right|165px|The logo]] {{cquote|''Harry's world says that drinking dead animal blood gives power, a satanic human sacrifice and Harry's powerful blood brings new life, demon possession is not spiritually dangerous, and that passing through fire, contacting the dead, and conversing with ghosts, others in the spirit world, and more, is normal and acceptable.''|||''Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged'', a DVD incapable of making a distinction between fantasy novels and the occult or even getting what is in said novels right.}} '''''Harry Potter''''', a series of seven (or so) [[fantasy]] novels by J. K. Rowling, relates the adventures of a teenage boy and his two best friends who attend a [[school]] of "[[witchcraft]] and wizardry", learning a whole range of [[magic]]al skills and fighting Dark Magic and [[evil]], and demonstrates how Alan Rickman got snubbed of another [[Oscars|Oscar]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqyf-kJWwIg Spoilers!]</ref> The series portrays Good triumphing over Evil. It became a [[Literature|literary]] and critical success; nevertheless, [[fundamentalist]] [[religious]] groups condemn it as a harmful work that will seduce [[children]] into the [[occult]] and witchcraft. In the [[United States]] (the so-called [[American exceptionalism|"great land of liberty"]]), the books have become the ''most challenged of the 21<sup>st</sup> century''.<ref>[http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2006/september2006/harrypottermostchallenge.cfm Harry Potter tops list of most challenged books of 21<sup>st</sup> century], American Library Association</ref> Fortunately for ''Harry Potter'' fans, magic and witchcraft are only a concern if you're [[Salem witch trials|stuck in the 17<sup>th</sup> century]] or living in [http://infidels.org/library/modern/richard_petraitis/witch_killers.html Africa], [[Indonesia]], or [[Papua New Guinea]] in the present century. The response to the books represents an excellent example of modern-day fundamentalism and would-be [[authoritarianism]], with numerous attempts to [[Censorship|ban the books]]. ===Commercialisation=== [[File:Montreal Comiccon 2016 - Harry Potter (27634156054).jpg|right|thumb|185px|Expelliarmus!]] The commercialisation of the ''Harry Potter'' series by capitalist industries, especially by Hollywood and the media, has been criticised. Scholar Jack Zipes critiqued the mass commercialisation and corporate hegemony behind the ''Harry Potter'' franchise, likening such hegemony to a form of cultural imperialism. In his Adornean analysis of ''Harry Potter''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s global brand, Zipes wrote, "It must conform to the standards of exception set by the mass media and promoted by the culture industry in general. To be a phenomenon means that a person or commodity must conform to the hegemonic groups that determine what makes up a phenomenon".<ref>Zipes, J. (2002). Sticks and Stones: The Troublesome Success of Children's Literature from Slovenly Peter to Harry Potter. Page 175.</ref> ===Themes=== Scholars have subjected the ''Harry Potter'' novels to serious [[social]] scrutiny, with studies of the series' [[political]] intricacies performed by columnists, [[professor]]s, and doctoral students alike. As of 2007, the catalog of the Library of [[Congress]] has recorded 21 volumes of criticism and interpretation, and at least seven master's dissertations and 17 doctoral theses have been devoted to the ''Harry Potter'' books. Seriously.<ref>[http://www.insidehighered.com/views/mclemee/mclemee133 Pottering Around], ''Inside Higher Ed''</ref> From the concepts of hierarchy and [[Eugenics|purity]] found in the relations between pure-blooded and muggle-born wizards to the struggle for House-Elf freedom, [[equality]] is a central theme of the books. It portrays [[Deceit|dishonest]] and incompetent [[government]] and [[media]] and paints [[war]] as a great evil in which innocent people die. The school which Harry attends, Hogwarts, is [[multicultural]], multiracial, and (seemingly) [[secular]]. Some critics have, however, called the books patronising and [[conservative]],<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/jun/25/booksforchildrenandteenagers.guardianchildrensfictionprize2000 "Why Harry Potter doesn't cast a spell over me"], ''The Guardian''</ref> or [[sexist]] and [[neoconservative]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20110523234615/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/rod_liddle/article2116237.ece "Hogwarts is a winner because boys will be sexist neocon boys"], ''The Sunday Times''</ref> This is odd since Rowling herself was a [[Labour Party| Labour]] supporter at time of writing (though she has since drifted away from the party). Unrelated controversies include comparisons to some older book series such as the ''Howl's Moving Castle'' and ''Wizard's Hall'' (''The Worst Witch'' is the most commented-on), which have resulted in accusations of [[plagiarism]], or (far worse) being derivative. The works feature frumpy and disaster-prone protagonists, a couple of loyal best-friends (one book-smart and [[rational]], one street-smart and slightly problematic), a blond and rich but cowardly and rather inefficient rival, a scary and seemingly unfair potions-teacher with hidden depths, a childish headmaster with a penchant for candy, and a big bad-guy who desires the destruction of the protagonist after their fateful first encounter. Whether this is more than just a re-hashing of [[TV Tropes|tropes]] is a matter of debate.<ref>{{wpa|Harry Potter influences and analogues}}</ref> Some fans, especially older ones, also believe that Rowling's later additions to the franchise are inferior to the original seven novels, with some outright comparing her work to that of George Lucas on the later ''Star Wars'' films,<ref>Farrow, Max. [https://screenrant.com/jk-rowling-george-lucas-harry-potter-star-wars/ "J.K. Rowling Is Turning Into George Lucas."] ''ScreenRant'', 25 November 2018 (recovered 30 April 2019).</ref> though one could hardly throw a rock within geek culture without running into similar complaints regarding one particular franchise or another. Rowling is a [[Christian]] herself. The final book, ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'', contains an epigraph from the [[Gospels]] ({{Bible|Matthew|6|21}}), Harry's parents' gravestones display another Bible quote ({{Bible|1 Corinthians|15|26}}), and Rowling also has a scene where Harry [[Messiah|sacrifices his own life and is resurrected]] and then proceeds to [[Jesus|save everybody]].<ref group=note>We're kind of over-exaggerating a bit, because it's implied in the final epilogue that he lived a fairly normal life after that.</ref> ==Fundamentalist hysteria== [[File:Hpevil.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Ghosts? Potions? ''Divination''?! The horror!]] There have been dozens of legal cases concerning [[copyright]] infringement, libel, and breach of contract involving the Potterworld. Flocks of religious leaders (plus [[Jack Chick]]) have fulminated against the series. Note, however, that many [[moderate]] and some [[evangelical Christian]]s have spoken out in favour of the books. While the [[Catholic Church]] has no official position, many [[Cardinal]]s oppose the books. It seems that once people make the distinction between fiction and real [[belief]] in magic, they can see past any objections to [[demon]]s and witchcraft to realise what the series supports. [[Islamic fundamentalism|Islamic fundamentalist]]s have denounced the series. The Islamic preacher [[Sheik Feiz Muhammad]] regarded the books and films as [[Satanism|"Satanic"]] and claimed they were introducing young children to [[pagan]] rituals (such as the drinking of [[goat]]'s blood) which [[Islam]] forbids. The esteemed Sheik also criticised Muslim parents who allow their children to watch the films or read the books, claiming they were being irresponsible.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JHc6m3Y2ss Harry Potter &mdash; Sheik Feiz Muhammad]</ref> Furthermore, the drinking of dead animal blood, [[Satanic]] human [[sacrifice]], [[demonic possession]], etc. described in the quote at the top of the page, are actions practised by the book's Wilhelm-screaming<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rVA4zwVmPw Voldemort NYAH NYEAH]</ref><ref group=note>Though, technically, the scream isn't actually the Wilhelm.</ref> ''antagonist'', Lord Voldemort, the [[murder]]er of Harry's parents; the books do not exactly present Voldemort as a morally praiseworthy figure.{{cn|joke}} As to the claims that the books promote witchcraft by teaching impressionable children to cast spells, well… we hate to break it to you, but the spells described in the books don't work in [[real life]], even if you wave a piece of carved wood in the air. Satirical news source ''[[The Onion]]'', in its [[Poe's Law|inimitable style]], once ran a spoof of the fundamentalists' claims, saying that children were converting to Satanism because of the books.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20000815214418/http://www.theonion.com/onion3625/harry_potter.html Avada Kedavra, bitches!]</ref> As if to prove their idiocy to anyone yet unconvinced, the fundies took the article as proof that they were right.<ref>[http://www.snopes.com/humor/iftrue/potter.asp Harry Potter and Satanism], Snopes.</ref> ==Secular criticism of ''Harry Potter''== [[File:Gringotts, Harry Potter Studio Tour (48538215342).jpg|thumb|right|180px|Goblin banker model from the films.]] ====Goblins as an antisemitic trope==== In the ''Harry Potter'' novels, goblins are presented as a short humanoid race with "swarthy" skin and "dark, slanting eyes." They run Gringotts, the sole banking institution in the wizarding world, and are characterized as shrewd, secretive, and untrustworthy. The films give them hooked noses and pointed ears. Critics have linked these depictions to [[anti-semitic]] caricatures of the [[Evil Jew]] and conspiracy theories about [[International Jewish conspiracy|Jews secretly controlling the world's financial system]].<ref name="goblins1">Peter Dendle, "Monsters, Creatures, and Pets at Hogwarts: Animal Stewardship in the World of ''Harry Potter'', in ''Critical Perspectives on Harry Potter'' (2008), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Critical_Perspectives_on_Harry_Potter/yfOTAgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22goblins+embody+many+caricatured+traits+of+stereotypical+Jews,%22&pg=PA165&printsec=frontcover page 165]</ref><ref name="goblins2">Jackie C. Horne, "Harry and the Other: Answering the Race Question in J. K. Rowling's ''Harry Potter'', ''The Lion and the Unicorn'' (2010), 34(1)</ref><ref name="goblins3">Madelyn Travis, ''Jews and Jewishness in British Children's Literature'' (2013), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jews_and_Jewishness_in_British_Children/MLWoAgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22moneylender+goblins%22&pg=PA5&printsec=frontcover page 5]</ref><ref name="goblins4">Daniel Levy & Avichai Snir, "[https://academic.oup.com/ooec/article/doi/10.1093/ooec/odac004/6646895 Potterian economics]", ''Oxford Open Economics'', Volume 1 (2022)</ref> In 2001, a reader letter to ''[[The New York Times]]'' called out the paper's review of the first film, charging that it failed to identify the "goblin bankers" as a "thinly veiled representation of jewish stereotypes."<ref>T. Gossett, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20171121043622/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/26/movies/potter/readers-comment-on-harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone.html Readers Comment on 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone']," ''The New York Times'', 26 November 2001</ref> Writing in the literary journal ''The Lion and the Unicorn'' in 2010, Jackie C. Horne held that the goblins' features "mark them as physically [[Other|other]]," while their role as bankers distinguishes them as "morally suspect" and a "modern-day embodiment of the stereotype of the Jewish moneylender or perhaps even an Italian [[Mafia]]so."<ref name="goblins2" /> Daniel Levy and Avichai Snir, in the journal ''Oxford Open Economics'', note that the movie goblins, in particular, have been condemned for their "acquiline noses and greedy-looking faces, similar to the cartoons that were used to depict stereotypical bankers and financiers in Europe in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century."<ref name="goblins4" /> This criticism gained new traction in 2022 after it came up during a discussion on [[Jon Stewart]]'s podcast:<ref>The Problem With Jon Stewart: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzffpeYnv-w The Problem With Goblins: J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter, & Jews]</ref><ref>IndieWire: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2022/01/05/the-harry-potter-anti-semitism-controversy-explained/ Jon Stewart Slams J.K. Rowling for Anti-Semitic Goblins in 'Harry Potter' Series]"</ref><ref>Variety: [https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jon-stewart-slams-jk-rowling-anti-semitic-harry-potter-goblins-1235146760/ Jon Stewart Calls Out J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Semitic Goblins in 'Harry Potter' Franchise]</ref> {{quotebox|'''Jay Jurden''': The Jews have arrived. What chapter of ''Harry Potter'' is that in? That's when they get to Gringotts, right?<br />'''Stewart''': Can I tell you something about ''Harry Potter''? [...] Here's how you know, like, Jews are still where they are. Talking to people, what I say is, "Have you ever seen a ''Harry Potter'' movie?" And people are all like, "I love the ''Harry Potter'' movies!" I'm like, "You ever see the scenes in Gringotts bank?" They're like, "I love the scenes in Gringotts bank!" Like, "Do you know what those folks that run the bank are?" And they're like, "What?" And then, like, "Jews."<br />'''Jurden''': And then that person says, "No, goblins." And then you go, "Do you hear yourself?"<br /> '''Stewart''': Let me show you this from ''[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion]]''. I just want to show you a caricature, and they're like, "Oh, look at that! That's from ''Harry Potter''." You're like, "No, that's a caricature of a Jew from an anti-semitic piece of literature." J.K. Rowling was like, "Can we get these guys to run our bank?" And you're like, "It's a wizarding world." [...] The train station has a half a thing and no one can see it. And we can ride dragons and you've got a pet owl. [...] Who should run the bank? Jews."}} Stewart later clarified that these remarks were intended as a "lighthearted conversation" and that he was "not accusing J. K. Rowling of being antisemitic."<ref>NBC News: [https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/jon-stewart-clarifies-comments-made-depiction-goblins-harry-potter-rcna11013 Jon Stewart clarifies comments he made about depiction of goblins in 'Harry Potter']</ref> ====House-elves and portrayal of slavery ==== One of the most understated parts of the book series is the portrayal of slavery and abolitionism. One of the main characters, Hermione Granger, seeks to abolish slavery and gets mocked for it. The enslaved group, the house elves, are portrayed as comical relief and themselves show hostility to the only slave who sought freedom.<ref>[https://medium.com/@hellyschtevie/harry-potter-and-the-problematic-slavery-parable-a6343a827d50 Harry Potter and the problematic slavery parable]</ref> Thankfully, this portrayal of slavery is almost completely removed from the films, with only Dobby (who only appears in the adaptation of Chamber of Secrets (where he is freed from the Malfoys) and Deathly Hallows (where he dies)) and Kreacher (where any mentions of Harry owning him are scrapped) making any appearances, likely as a result of the screenwriters noticing "Hey, this part's kinda weird." ===="Dumbledore is gay" and queer-baiting==== [[File:Albus Dumbledore.jpg|140px|right|thumb|Wingardium Levi-loafers! Dumbledore as depicted by a fan.]] In 2007, at a fan event a few months after the release of the last ''Harry Potter'' book, Rowling revealed that she had "always thought of Dumbledore as [[Homosexuality|gay]]."<ref>The Leaky Cauldron: [http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/10/20/j-k-rowling-at-carnegie-hall-reveals-dumbledore-is-gay-neville-marries-hannah-abbott-and-scores-more/ J. K. Rowling at Carnegie Hall Reveals Dumbledore is Gay], dated to Oct 20, 2007</ref><ref>BBC News: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7053982.stm JK Rowling outs Dumbledore as gay], dated Oct 20, 2007</ref> The revelation drew praise from fans and the LGBT community at the time, but predictably angered the religious right.<ref>The Christian Post: [https://www.christianpost.com/news/conservatives-urge-ban-on-harry-potter-over-witchcraft-homosexuality.html Conservatives Urge Ban on 'Harry Potter' Over Witchcraft, Homosexuality], dated Oct 30, 2007</ref> Since then, many fans have taken a critical view of Rowling's outing of Dumbledore, calling out her refusal to make his sexuality explicit in the text.<ref>The Daily UW: [https://www.dailyuw.com/arts_and_culture/sex-positions-fishing-for-a-queer-audience/article_c1aff5f7-e463-5d35-af9a-d8be64b147ae.html Sex positions: Fishing for a queer audience]</ref><ref>Esquire: [https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a26858267/j-k-rowling-dumbledore-grindelwald-gay-harry-potter/ J.K. Rowling Wants You To Know How Gay Dumbledore Really Was]</ref> The ''Fantastic Beasts'' prequels in particular have drawn fire for portraying Dumbledore's relationship with Grindelwald as ambiguous.<ref>Insider: [https://www.insider.com/fantastic-beasts-jk-rowling-dumbledore-lgbt-backlash-2018-2 LGBT backlash against Fantastic Beasts], dated to Feb 2, 2018</ref><ref>SBS: [https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/agenda/article/2019/03/19/listen-jk-rowling-its-time-give-us-gay-dumbledore?cid=inbody:matilda-star-mara-wilson-calls-out-jk-rowlings-transphobia Rowling omitting Dumbledore being gay is a slap in the face to her queer fans], dated to Mar 19, 2019</ref><ref>Insider: [https://www.insider.com/fantastic-beasts-sequel-dumbledore-gay-2018-1 Fantastic Beasts director says movie will not address Dumbledore being gay], dated to Jan 31, 2018</ref> Rowling stated in a 2008 interview that, after being made an "utter fool" and "[losing] his moral compass completely" through his love for wizard supremacist Grindelwald, Dumbledore "became quite [[asexuality|asexual]]" and "led a [[celibacy|celibate]] and a bookish life."<ref>MuggleNet, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080312175647/http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/full_story/1497 New interview with JK Rowling]," 9 March 2008</ref> Critics have linked this to the "hate the sin, love the sinner" framework of anti-gay conservatives, which accepts gay people so long as they [[ex-gay|renounce their "sinful" desires and never act on them]].<ref>Demisexual and Proud: [https://demiandproud.wordpress.com/2021/01/15/albus-dumbledore-j-k-rowlings-ex-gay/ Albus Dumbledore, J.K. Rowling’s Ex-Gay]</ref> Academic Catherine Tosenberger, writing in the journal ''Children's Literature'' in 2008, observed that Dumbledore "arguably fits into the category of the 'safely contained' homosexual, as he is both elderly (and therefore presumably celibate) and dead."<ref name="tosenberger1">Catherine Tosenberger, "Homosexuality at the Online Hogwarts: Harry Potter Slash Fanfiction", ''Children's Literature'', volume 36 (2008)</ref> In another journal article published the same year, Tosenberger wrote that, though this might "smack of ageism," it spared "squeamish readers" from having to "confront the threatening specter of a sexually active gay male body."<ref name="tosenberger2">Catherine Tosenberger, "'Oh my God, the Fanfiction!': Dumbledore's Outing and the Online Harry Potter Fandom", ''Children's Literature Association Quarterly'' (2008), 33(2)</ref> Victoria Vestić wrote in 2018 that, because Dumbledore's teenage sister died in the crossfire of his parting duel with Grindelwald, he "does not pursue other homosexual relationships until his death."<ref name="werewolf3">Victoria Vestić, "[https://repozitorij.ffst.unist.hr/islandora/object/ffst:2249 Harry Potter, Heteronormativity and Pronatalism – the Villain as the Antinatalist]", ''Journal of the International Symposium of Students of English, Croatian and Italian Studies'' (2018)</ref> Thus, in Vestić's view, he is "punished by the narrative for not sacrificing his homosexuality" in service to the heternormative family ideal, but is offered redemption by "dedicat[ing] his life to the protection of other's children" as Hogwarts' headmaster.<ref name="werewolf3" /> In a 2018 article in the ''Journal of LGBT Youth'', Thomas Crisp maintained that gay readings of Dumbledore mean that the "sole depiction of a gay male in this series is of a sensitive man with a flamboyant sense of style and a penchant for fashion, a man whose love for another man is the great tragedy of his life."<ref>Thomas Crisp, "Beyond Harold and Dumbledore: (Re-)considering Children's Books Depicting Gay Males, ''Journal of LGBT Youth'' (2018), 15(4)</ref> Dumbledore/Grindelwald isn't the only time that Rowling has been accused of "[[LGBTQ orientation glossary#Queerbaiting|queer-baiting]]" a gay relationship. Early on in the fandom's history, some readers saw evidence of a subtextual gay romance in the relationship of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, citing canonical details such as their jointly gifting Harry a [[Christmas]] present in the fifth book.<ref name="tosenberger1" /><ref name="lupin-tonks1">The Paris Review: [https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/12/10/harry-potter-and-the-secret-gay-love-story/ Harry Potter and the Secret Gay Love Story]</ref><ref>Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/05/harry-potter-jk-rowling-apologizes-killing-remus-lupin-sirius-black-gay Why J.K. Rowling's Latest Apology Is Even More Meaningful than It Seems]</ref> In 2004, when asked if Harry had a godmother at a book festival, Rowling replied that his godfather Sirius had been "too busy being a big rebel to get married."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060224124458/https://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/news_view.cfm?id=80 J K Rowling at the Edinburgh Book Festival], 15 August 2004</ref> However, with the release of the sixth book the following year, Lupin was shoehorned into a heterosexual romance with Nymphadora Tonks.<ref name="tosenberger1" /><ref name="lupin-tonks1" /><ref name="lupin-tonks2">The Print: [https://theprint.in/opinion/pov/jk-rowling-has-always-been-tone-deaf-just-look-at-the-harry-potter-universe/439064/ JK Rowling has always been tone-deaf. Just look at the Harry Potter Universe]</ref><ref name="remus-tonks3">TN2 Magazine: [https://www.tn2magazine.ie/not-so-fantastic-queerbaiting/ Not-So-Fantastic Queerbaiting And Where To Shove Your Bad Racial Politics]"</ref> Some fans perceived this as Rowling deliberately shutting down the possibility of canonical queer romance, particularly since Tonks, a pink-haired shapeshifter, has also been interpreted as [[genderqueer]] or a [[lesbian]].<ref name="lupin-tonks2" /><ref name="remus-tonks3" /> In ''Deathly Hallows'' (2007), Harry visits Sirius Black's teenage bedroom and notes "posters of bikini-clad Muggle girls" on the walls, something viewed by fans as another example of Rowling enforcing [[heteronormativity]] in her world. As recently as 2016, Rowling peevishly denied that Sirius Black was gay in response to a [[Twitter]] inquiry, prompting upset fans to launch the hashtag "#JKRowlingIsOverParty" (this was before the first rumblings of [[#Yer a transphobe, Joanne|her descent into transphobia]]).<ref>[https://imgur.com/a/6PVyl Screenshots] of the original questions and Rowling's reply.</ref><ref>Digital Spy: [https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a807110/jkrowlingisoverparty-starts-over-harry-potter-characters-sexuality/ #JKRowlingIsOverParty kicks off in protest of a Harry Potter character's sexuality and a Wizarding War erupts]</ref><ref>HuffPost: [https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jk-rowling-condemns-ton-of-abuse-she-faces-after-twitter-thinks-she-revealed-harry-potter-characters-sexuality_uk_57cf1c22e4b0d45ff8700dfd JK Rowling Sirius Black Sexuality Twitter Profile 'Answers' Lead To 'Ton Of Abuse' For Harry Potter Author]</ref> Tosenberger wrote in ''Children's Literature'' that Sirius's character arc in ''Order of the Phoenix'' (2003) follows the "trope in early gay-themed YA literature that homosexual characters must be {{wpl|Bury your gays|lonely, tormented, and then die|."}}<ref name="tosenberger1" /> The release of ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'' in 2016 sparked renewed accusations of queer-baiting and {{w|LGBT erasure||.}}<ref name="cursedchild1">Vox: [https://www.vox.com/2016/9/4/12534818/harry-potter-cursed-child-rowling-queerbaiting The Harry Potter universe still can't translate its gay subtext to text. It's a problem.]</ref><ref name="cursedchild2">The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/aug/16/harry-potter-possible-example-queerbaiting-cursed-child Harry Potter and the Possible Queerbaiting: why fans are mad over a lack of gay romance]</ref><ref name="cursedchild3">Logo: [https://www.logotv.com/news/oy6891/harry-potter-queer-lgbtq-characters-jk-rowling Harry Potter and the Relentless Queerbaiting: Why Won't The Magical Closet Be Unlocked]</ref> The play, written by Jack Thorne based on a story outline by Rowling, centers on the friendship of Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy (sons of Harry and Draco, respectively).<ref name="cursedchild1" /><ref name="cursedchild2" /> Writing for ''Vox'', Aja Romano found that "sexual subtext hovers at the edges of Albus and Scorpius' interactions," with the "poorly written" female characters serving as "shameless props for the giant, flashing '{{w|No homo|NO HOMO|!'}} sign that the play hangs over the two boys' heads."<ref name="cursedchild1" /> Romano held that the boys' interest in girls seemed to have been "added as an afterthought" in "underdeveloped, unconvincing moments."<ref name="cursedchild1" /> Billy McEntee, reviewing the play for ''Logo'' in 2018, thought that Scorpius and Albus were portrayed as "secret lovers with all of the subtext and none of the follow through."<ref name="cursedchild3" /> The play's script was eventually reworked in 2021 to remove the references to female love interests and add new dialogue suggesting romantic feelings on Albus's part.<ref>Los Angeles Times: [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-07-08/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-changes-commentary Commentary: A ‘Harry Potter’ play claimed to be a family affair. After major changes, it finally is]</ref><ref>Pride.com: [https://www.pride.com/theater/2021/12/08/harry-potter-character-even-gayer-cursed-child-revamp This Harry Potter Character Is Even Gayer in Cursed Child Revamp]</ref><ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/may/25/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-is-the-shorter-one-part-play-better Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: is the shorter, one-part play better?]</ref> [[File:Werewolf (Harry Potter).jpg|right|thumb|165px|Model of Lupin's werewolf form used in the films.]] Rowling explicitly shut down the fan theory that [[dragon]]-keeper and confirmed bachelor Charlie Weasley is gay. In the 2007 documentary ''J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life'', she was directly asked if Charlie was gay after dropping the [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WordOfGod Word of God] that he never married, and replied, "Um, no, I don't think Charlie's gay. Just more interested in dragons than women."<ref>MuggleNet: [https://www.mugglenet.com/2015/10/asexual-awareness-protect-charlie-weasley-at-all-costs/ Asexual Awareness: Protect Charlie Weasley at All Costs]</ref> ====Werewolves as an AIDS metaphor==== In the ''Prisoner of Azkaban'' (1999), Remus Lupin is introduced as a new professor at Hogwarts, proving to be a competent instructor and a supportive mentor to Harry. It is eventually revealed that Lupin's mysterious monthly absences are due to [[werewolf|lycanthropy]]. For a time, Lupin keeps his condition secret with the aid of sympathetic headmaster Dumbledore by sequestering himself away from students every full [[moon]]. Eventually, he forgets to take a special potion and nearly attacks Harry, revealing his condition to the wizarding world. He is forced to resign from his teaching post amid angry protests from parents. In ''Half-Blood Prince'' (2005), Lupin reveals that he was bitten as a child by Fenrir Greyback, who he describes as the "most savage werewolf alive today." Greyback, unlike most werewolves who attack in a state of uncontrolled frenzy, knowingly plans and stalks his victims in advance. He "specialises in children," following a philosophy of "bite them young [...] and raise them away from their parents, raise them to hate normal wizards." Greyback hopes to "bite and to contaminate as many people as possible" in order to create a werewolf army to "overcome the wizards." In ''Deathly Hallows'' (2007), Lupin volunteers to join Harry on his quest, having [[Marriage#Shotgun weddings|hastily-married]] the [[pregnancy|expectant]] Tonks. Harry accuses Lupin of abandoning his wife and child-to-be. Lupin calls the marriage a "grave mistake" and worries that he has made Tonks an "outcast." He castigates himself for having "knowingly risked passing on [his] own condition to an innocent child." He says that, even if the child isn't born a werewolf, it will be better off "without a father of whom it must always be ashamed." Tonks and Lupin later reconcile. Their son Teddy is born without lycanthropy, but is orphaned when they die fighting Voldemort. Rowling first revealed that she'd used lycanthropy as a metaphor for [[HIV/AIDS]] in 2008 while testifying in her lawsuit against ''Harry Potter Lexicon'' creator Steven Vander Ark:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080430083516/http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/system/files/Trial+Transcript+Day+1.txt Transcript of the first day of testimony in ''Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. RDR Books'']</ref> {{quotebox|I know that I've said publicly<ref group=note>The closest Rowling had previously come to disclosing this was calling Lupin's lycanthropy "a metaphor for people's reactions to illness and disability" in the 2000 book ''Conversations with J. K. Rowling''. Given that this book was aimed at children, it's possible Rowling's comment was edited without her knowledge, or it's possible that she simply misremembered her remarks after eight years.</ref> that Remus Lupin was supposed to be on the H.I.V. metaphor. It was someone who had been infected young, who suffered stigma, who had a fear of infecting others, who was terrified he would pass on his condition to his son. And it was a way of examining prejudice, unwarranted prejudice towards a group of people. And also, examining why people might become embittered when they're treated that unfairly.}} This explanation was also given in a supplementary biography of Lupin written by Rowling and published on the site Pottermore in 2015:<ref>J. K. Rowling, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20191002105532/https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/remus-lupin Remus Lupin]", Pottermore, 10 August 2015</ref> {{quotebox|Lupin's condition of lycanthropy (being a werewolf) was a metaphor for those illnesses that carry a stigma, like HIV and AIDS. All kinds of superstitions seem to surround blood-borne conditions, probably due to taboos surrounding blood itself. The wizarding community is as prone to hysteria and prejudice as the Muggle one, and the character of Lupin gave me a chance to examine those attitudes.}} The AIDS metaphor drew criticism even before its confirmation by Rowling due to the parallels to real homophobic fearmongering.<ref name="werewolf3" /><ref name="werewolf1">Tison Pugh & David L. Wallace, "Heteronormative Heroism and Queering the School Story in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series", ''Children's Literature Association Quarterly'' (2006), 36(3)</ref><ref name="werewolf2">Phillip A. Bernhardt-House, "The Werewolf as Queer, the Queer as Werewolf, and Queer Werewolves", in ''Queering the Non/Human'' (2008)</ref><ref>Souvik Datta, "[http://pintersociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/SD-16.pdf Hijacking the Hysteria: Reading Heteronormativity, Homophobia and a narrative of Queerness into J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels]", ''Lapis Lazuli: An International Literary Journal'' (2021), 11(1)</ref> In 2006, Tison Pugh and David L. Wallace wrote in the journal ''Children's Literature Association Quarterly'' that if werewolves "serve as a queer figure within the world of the ''Harry Potter'' books, it becomes distressingly apparent that they must then also serve as figures of [[pederasty]] and [[child sexual abuse]]."<ref name="werewolf1" /> They described Fenrir Greyback as "delight[ing] in the pederastic pleasures of preying on children," citing a passage in which he tells Dumbledore "you know how much I like kids."<ref name="werewolf1" /> Gay people – particularly gay men – have been accused of "[[Homosexual agenda#Homosexual recruitment|recruiting]]" young people into [[homosexuality]] through seduction or abuse since the post-[[World War II|War]] era.<ref>Heather Murray, ''Not in This Family: Gays and the Meaning of Kinship in Postwar North America'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=9nzphECbo8AC&pg=PA91&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false page 91]</ref> Homophobes propagated [[urban legend]]s and [[moral panic]] that HIV was being deliberately spread during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s.<ref>William A. Rushing, ''The AIDS Epidemic: Social Dimensions of an Infectious Disease'' (1995), [https://archive.org/details/aidsepidemicsoci0000rush/page/156/ page 157]</ref><ref>Christopher R. Fee, Jeffrey B. Webb, ''American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore'' (2016), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Myths_Legends_and_Tall_Tales_An/kXnEDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 pages 4-6]</ref><ref>Jeffrey P. Dennis, "'Do You Like Girls Yet?': Heterosexual Presumption, Homophobia, And Pubescence", in ''Perceiving Gender Locally, Globally, and Intersectionally'' (2009), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Perceiving_Gender_Locally_Globally_and_I/4D0XTvFV9e4C?hl=en&gbpv=1 page 68]</ref> LGBT teachers have long faced public [[Closet|outing]] and [[discrimination|calls for their sacking]] under the notion they are a [[think of the children|threat to children]].<ref>Janna Marie Jackson, ''Unmasking Identities: An Exploration of the Lives of Gay and Lesbian Teachers'' (2007), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Unmasking_Identities/lUQ2AAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 pages 2-4]</ref> ==Yer a transphobe, Joanne== ==="Show me one 'transphobic' thing she's said!"=== ====2017–2019: The mask starts to slip==== The first indication of Rowling's developing transphobia was her liking of a tweet promoting a Medium piece positioning single-sex spaces as a [[#MeToo]] issue in October 2017.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220127020340/https://twitter.com/TransSalamander/status/922941885160632320</ref> She would later confirm that she began "reading books, blogs and scientific papers" related to gender around this time.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230330221850/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269394077176541189</ref> Some have pointed to a scene in her 2014 novel ''The Silkworm'' as providing an earlier warning.<ref name="Vice">Vice: [https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkeynz/jk-rowlings-transphobia-wasnt-hard-to-find-she-wrote-a-book-about-it JK Rowling's Transphobia Wasn't Hard to Find, She Wrote a Book About It]</ref> This scene involves the hero [[#Cormoran Strike|Cormoran Strike]] warning a trans woman that going to [[prison]] "won't be fun for you, Pippa [...] not [[Gender transition#Surgery and other procedures|pre-op]]."<ref name="Vice" /> This would read as just another terrible joke about [[prison rape]] if it weren't for the weird implication that vaginoplasty would make the experience "fun" for Pippa. Which is exactly the kind of thought someone might have if their brain was already half-cooked by believing in [[autogynephilia]].<ref group=note>This pseudoscientific hypothesis from the 1980s divides trans women into two categories: "homosexual transsexuals," who supposedly transition to lure straight cis men into relationships, and "autogynephiles," i.e. lesbian and bi trans women who can't be branded self-hating gays and are instead deemed to have a fetishistic interest in imagining themselves as female. Under this batshit framework, some transphobes have [https://www.reddit.com/r/GenderCynical/comments/ir5uev/sexual_assaults_validates_them_as_a_woman_talk/ sincerely claimed] that trans women [[Blaming the victim|derive gratification]] from being sexually assaulted, either as sex with a man (for "homosexual transsexuals") or as a validation of their womanhood (for "autogynephiles"). Basically, in the warped perspective that seemingly informed Rowling's tasteless joke, Strike assumes Pippa would prefer vaginal rape over anal rape as a fulfillment of her "autogynephilic" fantasy of experiencing sexual violence as a woman. Rowling confirmed she has indeed swallowed [[Ray Blanchard|Blanchard's]] crap with a 2024 tweet attacking a famous trans woman for "[[#2024: Going full Graham Linehan|cosplaying a misogynistic male fantasy]]."</ref> In March 2018, Rowling liked a tweet by @racybearhold that declared, "Men in dresses get [[Feminist glossary#Brocialist|brocialist]] solidarity I never had. That's misogyny!"<ref name="indy100">Indy100: [https://www.indy100.com/article/jk-rowling-tweet-transphobic-men-dresses-harry-potter-8268111 JK Rowling has a 'clumsy and middle-aged moment' by liking a 'transphobic' tweet]</ref> Rowling's representative issued an apologetic statement claiming that she had suffered a "clumsy and middle-aged moment" and accidentally liked the tweet by "holding her phone incorrectly."<ref name="indy100" /> However, a few months later in September 2018, Rowling liked a tweet by Janice Turner promoting her ''[[The Times|Times]]'' op-ed on trans prisoners.<ref name="phaylen">Phaylen Fairchild: [https://phaylen.medium.com/oops-she-did-it-again-transphobic-j-k-rowling-no-fox-belongs-in-a-henhouse-b3cdf0e81dd8 Oops! She Did It Again, Transphobic J.K. Rowling: "No Fox Belongs In a Henhouse."]</ref> This tweet carried the tagline "No fox has a right to live in a henhouse, even if he identifies as a hen."<ref name="phaylen" /> Trans author Owl Fisher sarcastically replied, "Did you have another 'middle-aged' moment and accidentally like a clearly transphobic article, @jk_rowling?"<ref name="phaylen" /> Rowling ignored Fisher but liked a subsequent tweet by Turner rebuking "the [[Thought Police|thought police]] [who] patrol a woman author's every 'like' for wrongthink."<ref name="phaylen" /> In June 2019 — Pride month, no less — Rowling was revealed to be following nearly a dozen transphobic Twitter accounts.<ref name="pinknews">PinkNews: [https://archive.is/jp3E2 JK Rowling under fire for following a 'proud transphobe' on Twitter]</ref><ref name="femestella">Femestella: [https://www.femestella.com/jk-rowling-transphobic/ J.K. Rowling Has Been Following Anti-Trans Activists and We Need an Explanation]</ref> Twitter user @Persenche looked through the nearly 670 people Rowling was following at the time and concluded that 11 of them were anti-trans activists (including [[Julie Bindel]] and the notoriously vicious {{w|Magdalen Berns}}).<ref name="femestella" /> Rowling's representative told ''PinkNews'' that "J.K. Rowling won't be commenting" and that she "follows a wide range of people she finds interesting or thought-provoking."<ref name="pinknews" /> On December 19, 2019, Rowling officially came out as a TERF with a tweet supporting [[Maya Forstater]], an anti-trans activist who had recently launched a wrongful dismissal suit against her former employer.<ref name="vox">Vox: [https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/12/19/21029852/jk-rowling-terf-transphobia-history-timeline J.K. Rowling’s latest tweet seems like transphobic BS. Her fans are heartbroken]</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50858919 Maya Forstater: Woman loses tribunal over transgender tweets], BBC, December 19, 2019</ref> Rowling characterised Forstater's case as an example of a woman being forced out of her job simply for "[[motte and bailey|stating that sex is real]]."<ref name="vox" /> The reality is that Forstater was working on a contract that her employer did not renew when it expired.<ref name="nbcnews">NBC News: [https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/j-k-rowling-s-maya-forstater-tweets-support-hostile-work-ncna1105201 J.K. Rowling's Maya Forstater tweets support hostile work environments, not free speech]</ref><ref name="advocate">The Advocate: [https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2020/1/06/time-has-not-made-jk-rowlings-actions-any-less-terrible The JK Rowling Scandal Is Anti-Trans Bigotry Masquerading as Science]</ref> Forstater's co-workers also went to management because they found that her frequent espousal of anti-trans views (at one point she blasted out 150 transphobic tweets in a single week) was creating a hostile work environment.<ref name="nbcnews" /><ref name="advocate" /> Rowling's full-throated support of Forstater drew stronger backlash than any of her previous slip-ups. It is commonly thought of as the moment that she officially came out as a TERF. Nonetheless, some held out hope at the time that Rowling was simply misinformed, and sought to educate her rather than condemn her. GLAAD offered to "facilitate an off-the-record discussion" between Rowling and "members of the trans community", but she refused.<ref>Variety: [https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/glaad-j-k-rowling-anti-trans-researcher-1203448964/ GLAAD: J.K. Rowling’s Support of Anti-Trans Researcher ‘Puts Trans People at Risk’]</ref> ====2020–2021: TERF manifesto and Twitter punditry==== In May 2020, Rowling released a "stand-alone [[fairy tales|fairytale]]" called ''The Ickabog'' for free online, hoping to give kids a distraction during "[[COVID-19 pandemic|the strange and difficult time we're passing through]]."<ref>CBC News: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/rowling-ickabog-free-1.5584704 J.K. Rowling unveils new kids tale The Ickabog as free online serial]</ref> Observers noted that she began liking "hideously transphobic" tweets around the same time.<ref>PinkNews: [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/05/18/jk-rowling-transphobic-transgender-twitter-tweets-alex-drummond/ We guess JK Rowling has had another 'middle-aged moment', because she's been caught liking hideously transphobic tweets again]</ref><ref>LGBTQ Nation: [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/05/harry-potter-author-j-k-rowling-continues-support-extreme-anti-transgender-tweets/ "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling continues support for extreme anti-transgender rhetoric]</ref><ref>PopBuzz: [https://www.popbuzz.com/life/lgbtq/jk-rowling-transphobic-twitter-harry-potter/ JK Rowling slammed for liking transphobic tweets on Twitter]</ref> On May 29, she [[SLAPP suit|threatened legal action]] against Canadian trans politician Nicola Spurling, due to a tweet suggesting the author's bigotry means she "can no longer be trusted around children."<ref name="spurling">Tri-City News: [https://www.tricitynews.com/news/j-k-rowling-threatens-legal-action-against-coquitlam-transgender-activist-over-tweets-1.24143892 J.K. Rowling threatens legal action against Coquitlam transgender activist over tweets]</ref> That same day, Rowling accidentally copied a vulgar quote from a ''[[Feminist Current]]'' article into a reply to 9-year-old fan, later apologizing for the "un-Ickaboggish message" but not for the transphobia.<ref>HuffPost: [https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jk-rowling-transgender-tweet-delete_uk_5ed130c1c5b6658234cf888d JK Rowling Speaks Out Over 'Accidental' Tweet About Transgender Woman]"</ref><ref>The Mary Sue: [https://www.themarysue.com/jk-rowling-latest-twitter-transphobia/ J.K. Rowling Accidentally Tweeted Transphobic Content From Her Messages]</ref><ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/05/29/jk-rowling-terf-tweet-transgender-apology/ JK Rowling apologises after accidentally tweeting 'f**k up some TERFs' while responding to a 9-year-old's drawing]</ref><ref>The Daily Dot: [https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/jk-rowling-ickabog-fanart-transphobic-tweet/ J.K. Rowling deleted a tweet that included transphobic commentary with a child’s fanart]</ref> This was followed by Rowling mocking the phrase "people who menstruate" on June 6.<ref>Vulture: [https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/j-k-rowling-shares-transphobic-views-on-twitter.html J.K. Rowling Somehow Decides Now’s a Good Time to Double Down on Her Transphobia]</ref> The next day saw her endorse [[biological determinism]] in yet another Twitter tirade: "If sex isn't real, [[not even wrong|there's no same-sex attraction]]. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of [[TERF glossary#Erasing women|women globally is erased]]. [[Friend argument|I know and love trans people]], but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. [[I'm not prejudiced, but...|It isn't hate to speak the truth]]."<ref>Insider: [https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-is-terf-tweets-same-sex-attraction-feminists-lesbians-2020-6 JK Rowling claims trans activism hurts women and lesbians], dated to Jun 7, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269389298664701952 If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth.], JK Rowling, Twitter, 6 June 2020; [https://archive.ph/OxRrk archived].</ref> In response to the backlash over this flurry of transphobia, Rowling published a lengthy TERF manifesto on her official site on June 10, 2020.<ref name="terfmanifesto">J.K. Rowling: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200610162001/https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/ J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues]</ref> Toward the end of the month, {{w|Stephen King}} liked a tweet by Rowling quoting [[Andrea Dworkin]] quote, prompting Rowling to thank him and praise his work.<ref name="StephenKing1">The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-stephen-king-trans-women-row-delete-tweet-a9590536.html JK Rowling deletes tweet praising Stephen King after he supports trans women]</ref><ref name="StephenKing2">Newsweek: [https://www.newsweek.com/jk-rowling-deletes-stephen-king-tweet-trans-women-support-twitter-1514051 J.K. Rowling Deletes Stephen King Praise After He Supports Trans Women]</ref><ref name="StephenKing3">Consequence of Sound: [https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/06/j-k-rowling-stephen-king-trans-women/ J.K. Rowling Blocks Stephen King After He Tweets Support of Trans Women]</ref><ref group=note>Dworkin was an [https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/john-stoltenberg-andrew-dworkin-was-trans-ally/ early trans-''inclusive'' radical feminist], advocating a right to state-funded "sex-change operation[s]" in her 1974 book ''Woman Hating'', albeit as an "emergency measure" on the path to her weird prescription for the societal [[abolition of gender]]. The quote Rowling tweeted is from her 1987 book ''Intercourse'': "Men often react to women's words – speaking and writing – as if they were acts of violence; sometimes men react to women's words with violence." The [https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7395345-men-often-react-to-women-s-words-speaking-and-writing-as-if-they full passage] makes it clear that Dworkin was discussing how patriarchy harms and oppresses women. Rowling dropped the quote toward the end of a [https://web.archive.org/web/20200630135808/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1277263814552100866 nine-part Twitter screed] gloating over her extraction of an apology from [[Labour Party|Labour]] MP {{wpl|Lloyd Russell-Moyle||.}} Russell-Moyle upset Rowling by accusing her of "using" her sexual assault survivor status "as justification for discriminating against [trans people]" in a [https://web.archive.org/web/20200628075545/https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/06/labour-must-stand-with-trans-people-against-a-new-section-28 June 2020 ''Tribune'' piece] criticising [[Conservative Party|Tory]] plans to scrap GRA reform. It's possible that Stephen King only saw the tweet with the Dworkin quote or was unaware of the rampant transphobia in the UK. {{wpl|Mark Hamill}} has walked back liking Rowling tweets he seemingly understood as general feminist statements. In 2019, he [https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jk-rowling-transphobic-tweet-mark-hamill-maya-fortstater-terf-a9254446.html apologised] for not catching the "transphobic connotation" in the [[#2017-2019: The mask starts to slip|#IStandWithMaya tweet]], and in 2023 he [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/mark-hamill-jk-rowling-trans-women-b2269504.html apologised] for liking a tweet in which Rowling replied to trans newsreader {{wpl|India Willoughby||'s}} declaration of being "more of a woman" than her with "citation needed."</ref> However, after King publicly agreed that trans women are women, Rowling deleted her positive tweet and blocked him.<ref name="StephenKing1" /><ref name="StephenKing2" /><ref name="StephenKing3" /> King later stated that Rowling had "canceled" and "kinda blocked" him for supporting trans women.<ref>Forbes: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/dawnstaceyennis/2021/05/24/jk-rowling-canceled-stephen-king-for-supporting-transgender-women/?sh=7aff31294bf5 J.K. Rowling 'Canceled' Stephen King For Supporting Transgender Women]</ref><ref>The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/stephen-king-jk-rowling-trans-row-b1850212.html Stephen King says JK Rowling 'cancelled' him over trans row]</ref> On July 7, 2020, ''Harper's Magazine'' published an {{wpl|A Letter on Justice and Open Debate|open letter}} signed by Rowling and 100 other public figures.<ref name="harpers">[https://harpers.org/a-letter-on-justice-and-open-debate/ A Letter on Justice and Open Debate]</ref> The letter decried a "[[cancel culture|vogue for public shaming and ostracism]]" supposedly threatening the "free exchange of information and ideas."<ref name="harpers" /> It was a response to ''[[New York Times]]'' editor James Bennet resigning after printing a controversial [[Tom Cotton]] op-ed calling for the military to suppress [[Black Lives Matter]] protests.<ref>[https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2020/07/09/jk-rowling-letter-backlash/ ‘Whiny BS’: letter signed by JK Rowling, Margaret Atwood slammed as out of touch], ''The New Daily'', July 7, 2020</ref><ref>HuffPost: [https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/cancel-culture-harpers-jk-rowling-scam_n_5f0887b4c5b67a80bc06c95e Don't Fall For The 'Cancel Culture' Scam]</ref> Around this time, Rowling lambasted trans writer {{wpl|Jennifer Finney Boylan}} for withdrawing her initial support for the ''Harper'''s letter,<ref>Newsweek: [https://www.newsweek.com/author-jennifer-finney-boylan-recants-cancel-cultureletter-jk-rowling-1516235 Trans Author Jennifer Finney Boylan Recants 'Cancel Culture' Letter Signed by J.K. Rowling]</ref><ref group="note">Boylan [https://web.archive.org/web/20200708000345/twitter.com/JennyBoylan/status/1280646004136697863 explained] that, at the time she endorsed the ''Harper's'' letter, she believed it to be a "well meaning, if vague, message against internet shaming," and was only aware that it had been signed by [[The Handmaid's Tale|Margaret Atwood]], [[Noam Chomsky]], and Gloria Steinem. Rowling's [https://web.archive.org/web/20200727113315/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1280834668552769536 bonkers response] to the retraction pointed out that Boylan was "still following" her and demanded that she "publicly repent of [her] association with [[TERF glossary#Goody_.5Bname.5D|Goody]] Rowling before unfollowing and volunteer to operate the ducking stool next time." Rowling notably did not attack cisgender historian {{wpl|Kerri Greenidge}} for [https://www.thewrap.com/some-public-figures-now-regret-signing-harpers-open-letter-against-cancel-culture/ withdrawing her signature] (which was allegedly added by a colleague without her consent).</ref> and threatened to sue UK teen-oriented news site ''The Day'' for reporting on the controversy surrounding her anti-trans remarks.<ref name="white" /> In August 2020, {{w|Kerry Kennedy}} called out Rowling's "deeply troubling transphobic tweets and statements," leading Rowling to return an award given by the RFK Center for her charity work in 2019.<ref>CBC News: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/rowling-award-return-1.5704196 J.K. Rowling returns human rights award amid criticism from organization]</ref><ref>Reuters: [https://www.reuters.com/article/variety-idUSL4N2FU4C4 J.K. Rowling Returns Kennedy Family Award Following Kerry Kennedy Remarks]</ref><ref>Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/books/j-k-rowling-returning-human-rights-award-over-trans-views/ J.K. Rowling returning human rights award to group that now condemns her trans views]</ref> Now fully content with being a terrible person, Rowling shilled for a TERF store called Wild Womyn Workshop in September, posting a selfie of herself in a shirt proclaiming "[[European witch-hunts|this witch doesn't burn]]."<ref name="wildwomyn1"> Rachel E. Greenspan (Sep 23, 2020). [https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-terf-online-store-selling-anti-trans-merch-2020-9 "JK Rowling promoted a store selling anti-trans merch saying 'transwomen are men' and 'f--- your pronouns'"]. ''Insider''.</ref><ref name="wildwomyn2">Allie Gregory (Sep 23, 2020). [https://exclaim.ca/film/article/j_k_rowling_promotes_proudly_transphobic_online_store "J.K. Rowling Promotes Proudly Transphobic Online Store"]. ''Exclaim!''</ref> The shop sells a variety of products featuring such lovely slogans as "sorry about your dick bro," "f*ck your pronouns," "transwomen are men," and "transmen are my sisters."<ref name="wildwomyn1" /><ref name="wildwomyn2" /><ref>@DreamsRestless. (September 22, 2020). [https://web.archive.org/web/20201116094816/https://twitter.com/DreamsRestless/status/1308484156129714177 "JK Rowling is taking the next step in making her hatred of trans people her whole identity by promoting a store with an entire section dedicated to transphobia."] ''Twitter''. Archived November 16, 2020.</ref> [[File:AIArtofJKR1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Her Lady of the Two Foreheads. [[Artificial intelligence|AI]]-generated fanart of Rowling by a TERF, depicting her in the style of a religious icon.]] Rowling claimed to have been "[[doxxing|doxxed]]" after three protestors shared a photo of themselves holding signs with trans-rights slogans outside the gate of her Edinburgh mansion in November 2021.<ref name="them-24">James Factora, [https://www.them.us/story/jk-rowling-doxxing-protests J.K. Rowling, Whose Mansion Is on Wikipedia, Decries "Doxxing"]. them.us, 24 November 2021.</ref> However, this property was already known to the public as a listed building featured on tourist sites,<ref>Global News: [https://globalnews.ca/news/8394003/j-k-rowling-doxxing-home-address-trans-protest/ J.K. Rowling slams trans rights activists for 'doxxing' her during protest]</ref><ref>Stravaiging Around Scotland: [http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/the-whitehouse/ Whitehouse - Castle in Edinburgh]</ref> and has been featured on ''Harry Potter''-themed fan tours of Edinburgh without comment from Rowling.<ref>YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-QHHG06wCA HARRY POTTER IN EDINBURGH SCOTLAND, GREYFRIAR GRAVEYARD, ELEPHANT HOUSE, J.K. ROWLING'S HOUSE]</ref> The mansion also ends up in the news whenever Rowling pisses off her neighbours. In 2012, she earned their ire by building two 40-foot-high, "Hogwarts-style" treehouses in her garden.<ref>The Telegraph: [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/celebritynews/9506111/JK-Rowling-wins-permission-to-build-magical-treehouses-in-garden.html JK Rowling wins permission to build magical treehouses in garden]</ref><ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/aug/29/jk-rowling-hogwarts-tree-houses JK Rowling wins permission to build £250,000 Hogwarts-style tree houses]</ref> She created "traffic chaos" by closing down the road multiple times between 2015 to 2024 to allow her 30-foot-tall hedges to be trimmed.<ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/23/jk-rowling-hedge-trimming-blamed-traffic-chaos-edinburgh-home JK Rowling hedge-trimming blamed for traffic 'chaos' around Edinburgh home]</ref><ref>Edinburgh Evening News: [https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/traffic-halted-to-let-work-crew-tackle-jk-rowlings-massive-leylandii-hedge-3013329 Traffic halted to let work crew tackle JK Rowling's massive Leylandii hedge]</ref><ref>Deadline: [https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2022/07/13/j-k-rowling-closes-road-outside-her-2-2m-home-to-have-hedge-trimmed/ Scots author J.K Rowling closes road outside of £2.2 million 17th century home to trim back massive hedge]</ref><ref>EdinburghLive: [https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/jk-rowling-breaks-silence-over-28514398 JK Rowling breaks silence over backlash for trimming hedge outside Edinburgh home]</ref> The Edinburgh Council warned her that the overgrown hedges were blocking streetlights in 2019.<ref>Bart Dickson (May 18, 2019). [https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/jk-rowling-ordered-council-cut-16163103 "JK Rowling ordered to cut huge 30ft trees surrounding Edinburgh mansion"]. ''The Daily Record''.</ref> Rowling also owns a country estate called {{wpl|Killiechassie||,}} a centuries-old castle with its own [[Wikipedia]] article. She seems to expect total privacy and anonymity despite buying and living in famous landmarks. ====2022–2023: Throwing a literal transphobia party==== On March 12, 2022, Rowling tweeted<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220512185348/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1502679601335705603 Big love to you xxx], dated to Mar 12, 2022</ref> "Big love to you xxx" to [[Caroline Farrow]], an anti-gay and anti-trans [[CitizenGo]] activist who once harassed a trans woman so intensely that a High Court judge granted an injunction against her, ordering her to stop the harassment.<ref>PinkNews: [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/03/anti-lgbt-pundit-caroline-farrow-injunction-abusive-tweets/ Anti-LGBT pundit Caroline Farrow hit with injunction over ‘abusive tweets’], dated to May 3, 2019</ref> Farrow once expressed outrage over "deviant" gay penguins,<ref name=penguins>PinkNews: [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/07/03/children-not-emotionally-ready-deviant-gay-penguins-journalist/ Children not ’emotionally ready’ for ‘deviant’ gay penguins, says journalist], dated to Jul 3, 2019</ref> and accused Disneyland of engaging in "LGBT indoctrination" of children.<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220427053200/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FQ-2ASQWUAEjHFn?format=jpg&name=medium Image]</ref> It is not known whether Rowling was aware of this history of homophobia by Farrow, but she has never retracted her support or apologized after Farrow's views were widely reported. Farrow is also a [[Kiwi Farms]] user; police had received a complaint of her alleged activity on the site in 2022.<ref>David Gilbert (October 6, 2022). [https://www.vice.com/en/article/7k87vq/caroline-farrow-arrested-kiwi-farms "J.K. Rowling Ally Arrested for Allegedly Doxing a Trans Activist"]. VICE News.</ref> On March 18, 2022, South Wales Police’s LGBT+ Network established a kiosk with information about their efforts to combat anti-LGBT crimes and attitudes. The kiosk was set up near Bute Park where Doctor Gary Jenkins, who was [[Bisexuality|bisexual]], was beaten, robbed, subjected to homophobic abuse, and then [[murder]]ed. Prosecutor Dafydd Enoch said that the crime was motivated by "greed, [[homophobia]], and a straightforward liking for violence", and that it was "torture, pure and simple". When anti-LGBT Twitter users began to mock the kiosk as "virtue signalling", the South Wales Police Twitter account responded by saying "Good evening, supporting our communities is not virtual signalling and we make no apologies for doing so." On March 21, 2022, Rowling added to the pile-on by tweeting<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220823060152/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1505903152989720582 Virtual signalling. Like virtue signalling, but for people who aren’t really arsed. #VirtualSignalling], dated to Mar 21, 2022</ref> "Virtual signalling. Like virtue signalling, but for people who aren’t really arsed. #VirtualSignalling". She has opposed reform of gender recognition legislation in Scotland that aimed to make the process "less traumatic and inhumane for trans people" (according to Scotland's First Minister), because it would remove some of the obstacles to trans women being recognised as women.<ref name=indiewire2022>[https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/jk-rowling-transphobia-international-womens-day-rant-1234705640/ J.K. Rowling Doubles Down on Transphobia in International Women’s Day Twitter Rant], Indiewire, 8 March 2022</ref> She also tweeted that politically correct zealots would rename International Women's Day: "Apparently, under a Labour government, today will become We Who Must Not Be Named Day".<ref name=indiewire2022/> In April 2022, she attended a lunch with a number of other prominent TERFs at the River Cafe in Hammersmith, London. Other guests included Rosie Duffield, [[Helen Joyce]], [[Julie Bindel]], [[Kathleen Stock]], [[Maya Forstater]], and [[LGB Alliance]] co-founders.<ref>[https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/society/956404/inside-jk-rowlings-gender-wars-lunch Inside J.K. Rowling’s ‘gender wars’ lunch], ''The Week'', 12 April 2022</ref> Joyce, author of ''Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality'', has referred to trans people as "damaged", saying "every one of those people is someone who needs special accommodation in a sane world where we re-acknowledge the truth of sex"; she has also called for immediate action "reducing or keeping down the number of people who transition".<ref>[https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/06/03/helen-joyce-transgender-lgbtq/ ‘Gender critical’ author Helen Joyce says she wants to ‘reduce’ number of trans people: ‘Chilling’], Pink News, 3 June 2022</ref> Duffield has repeatedly called trans women "male-bodied people".<ref>[https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/11/18/labour-mp-rosie-duffield-bbc-politics/ Labour MP Rosie Duffield confronted after repeatedly calling trans women ‘male-bodied’ on the BBC], Pink News, 18 Nov 2021</ref> Duffield also called for trans people to be banned from "refuges, women’s prisons, single-sex wards and school toilets".<ref>[https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/11/rosie-duffield-anti-trans-gender-critical/ Labour MP Rosie Duffield explains ‘gender critical’ views in anti-trans tirade], Pink News, 11 September 2021</ref> On April 22, 2022, Rowling marked the beginning of Lesbian Visibility Week by "saluting the resilience and courage" of her friend [[Allison Bailey]].<ref name="LVW1">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/04/26/jk-rowling-linda-riley-lesbian-visibility-week-allison-bailey/ JK Rowling blasted as 'perfect example of how not to be an ally' by Lesbian Visibility Week founder]</ref> This lead LVW founder Linda Riley to tweet that she hadn't intended the observance to serve as a "vehicle to stir up more hate within our community."<ref name="LVW1" /> Rowling replied with a mocking tweet featuring a photo of what she deemed a "white, bearded, [[TERF glossary#Stonewall Law|Stonewall]]-approved lesbian."<ref name="LVW1" /> The photo was of Alex Drummond, a [[Wales|Welsh]] psychotherapist and author.<ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/aug/05/weekender-alex-drummond-psychotherapist Weekender: Alex Drummond, psychotherapist, 47]</ref> Drummond released two LGBT-interest books in 2011-2012.<ref>WorldCat: [https://search.worldcat.org/title/731045350 Queering the tranny: new perspectives on male transvestism and transsexualism]</ref><ref>WorldCat: [https://search.worldcat.org/title/820104595 Grrl Alex: a personal journey to a transgender identity]</ref> She gave a series of interviews in 2015 explaining why she kept her beard.<ref>BuzzFeed News: [https://www.buzzfeed.com/patrickstrudwick/this-transgender-woman-has-a-full-beard-and-she-couldnt-be-h This Trans Woman Kept Her Beard And Couldn't Be Happier]</ref><ref>Wales Online: [https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/there-no-legal-bars-woman-10297113 'There are no legal bars to a woman having a beard' Alex Drummond wants to broaden how people think about gender]</ref><ref>HuffPost: [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meet-the-trans-woman-queering-gender-with-her-full-beard_n_55affb34e4b0a9b948538d24 This Incredible Trans Woman Is Challenging The Way We Think About Gender]</ref> From all appearances, she's done little to earn anyone's umbrage, except exist as a bearded trans woman. Rowling lambasted so-called "[[mansplaining|beardsplainers]]" in an unrelated tweet in the first week of April 2022.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220831064808/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1510706840379797511</ref> Michael Deacon penned a ''[[The Telegraph|Telegraph]]'' piece bemoaning how "woke men" are "ruining beards" in response to this tweet.<ref>The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230115084856/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2022/04/05/jk-rowling-right-woke-men-ruining-beards-rest-us/ JK Rowling is right. Woke men are ruining beards for the rest of us]</ref> On May 29, 2022, she expressed support<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230530171526/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1663267564443631616 But as I've already told her, she knows where I am.], dated to May 29, 2023</ref> for [[Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull]] (also known as Posie Parker) and implied that she would financially support her. Posie Parker gained notoriety for organizing an anti-transgender event that attracted the support of [[neo-Nazis]].<ref>The Guardian: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230325110008/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/25/anti-trans-activist-posie-parker-ends-new-zealand-tour-after-violent-protests-erupt Anti-trans activist Posie Parker ends New Zealand tour after violent protests erupt], dated to Mar 25, 2023</ref><ref>The Guardian: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230319031635/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/19/daniel-andrews-says-nazis-arent-welcome-as-victorian-government-considers-further-action-following-salutes Daniel Andrews says Nazis ‘aren’t welcome’ as Victorian government considers ‘further action’ following salutes], dated to Mar 18, 2023</ref> Parker is also known to have openly wished death upon innocent transgender people,<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230530212230/https://twitter.com/shaun_vids/status/1656294297208082432 Image]</ref> called for the sterilization (another form of genocide) of trans men,<ref>https://twitter.com/trans_safety/status/1493233608663908352</ref> and has admitted to lying about being a lesbian<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230608031418/https://twitter.com/ICanSeeForever1/status/1666337280955502593 Video], dated to Jun 7, 2023</ref> to dishonestly bolster her political argument against a gay man. Rowling has also taken it upon herself to speak for lesbians and gay people in general despite not being a lesbian. In July 2022, singer {{w|Macy Gray}} walked back transphobic comments made in a [[Piers Morgan]] interview, leading conservative pundit [[Matt Walsh]] to tweet that women who "publicly renounce the definition of 'woman' for fear of mean comments from trans activists deserve all the scorn they get."<ref name="Walsh">Advocate: [https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/7/11/jk-rowling-and-matt-walsh-blasted-online-over-shared-transphobia JK Rowling and Matt Walsh Bond Over Transphobia, Get Blasted Online]</ref><ref name="Walsh2">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/07/11/jk-rowling-matt-walsh/ JK Rowling criticised for praising ‘dangerous’ anti-trans film by far-right bigot Matt Walsh]</ref> Rowling replied to Walsh claiming that TERFs have received serious threats, telling him "If you don't yet understand what happens to women who stand up on this issue, back off."<ref name="Walsh" /><ref name="Walsh2" /> In the following exchange, Rowling criticised Walsh for "[[Stopped clock|shouting 'coward' at individual women]]" like Gray, but praised his propaganda film ''{{w|What Is a Woman?}}'' for "exposing the incoherence of gender identity theory."<ref name="Walsh" /><ref name="Walsh2" /> In September 2023, Rowling liked a shockingly insensitive tweet from radio presenter {{w|Julia Hartley-Brewer}} stating "At least the [[Taliban]] know what a woman is," which was made in response to someone explaining he had been compared to the Taliban for "supporting trans people's existence in society."<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230902171336/https://twitter.com/Isi_baehr/status/1697942834446303672 J.K. Rowling said you DO gotta hand it to the Taliban], dated to September 2, 2023</ref><ref> Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230901184926/https://twitter.com/JuliaHB1/status/1696628290973270143 At least the Taliban know what a woman is], dated to August 29, 2023</ref> On July 11, 2022, Canadian author Will Johnson (@LiteraryGoon) tweeted a picture of his children at Rowling, stating that he planned to teach his "minions" to "stick to their principles even when it's unpopular."<ref name="ShaunFriends">[[Shaun]] on [[YouTube]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou_xvXJJk7k JK Rowling's New Friends] (relevant part begins at 20:20)</ref><ref name="Blast1">The Blast: [https://theblast.com/275422/j-k-rowling-under-fire-for-giving-fan-a-positive-reply/ J.K. Rowling Under Fire For… Giving Fan A Positive Reply?]</ref> Rowling replied telling Johnson that he had "beautiful minions!"<ref name="ShaunFriends" /><ref name="Blast1" /> Johnson published a tweet in 2021 threatening to murder trans-rights supporters in graphic detail.<ref name="ShaunFriends" /><ref name="Blast1" /> He was feted in ''[[The Post Millennial]]'' in 2019 after he was allegedly fired from a literary journal for defending [[Meghan Murphy]].<ref>The Post Millennial: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200103204446/https://www.thepostmillennial.com/canadian-literary-editor-fired-after-supporting-free-speech/ Canadian literary editor fired after supporting free speech]</ref> In October 2022, television host {{w|Graham Norton}} gave an interview at a literary festival, during which he was asked about cancel culture.<ref name="Norton1">Them: [https://www.them.us/story/graham-norton-twitter-jk-rowling Graham Norton Seemingly Driven Off Twitter For Suggesting We Listen to Trans People]</ref><ref name="Norton2">The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/graham-norton-jk-rowling-twitter-deleted-b2204432.html Graham Norton deletes Twitter after comments on JK Rowling and 'cancel culture' go viral]</ref><ref name="Norton3">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/10/17/graham-norton-twitter-trans-rights-jk-rowling/ Graham Norton 'hounded off Twitter' for suggesting we listen to trans people]</ref> He stated that cancel culture would be more accurately called "accountability."<ref name="Norton1" /><ref name="Norton2" /><ref name="Norton3" /> When asked specifically if this applied to the backlash against Rowling's anti-trans punditry, he gave a measured comment that the media should "[[Argument_from_authority#Why_you_should_defer_to_authority_.28correct_uses.29|talk to trans people, talk to the parents of trans kids, talk to doctors, talk to psychiatrists]]" rather than amplifying [[celebrity]] opinions.<ref name="Norton2" /><ref name="Norton3" /> Musician {{w|Billy Bragg}} approvingly tweeted a clip of Norton's interview.<ref name="Norton1" /> Rowling quoted-tweeted Bragg with a rant excoriating an alleged "spate of bearded men stepping confidently onto their soapboxes to define what a woman is and [[Straw man|throw their support behind rape and death threats]] to those who dare disagree."<ref name="Norton1" /><ref name="Norton3" /> Norton deleted his Twitter account a few days later after a barrage of hate from anti-trans activists.<ref name="Norton1" /><ref name="Norton2" /><ref name="Norton3" /> By now, people had noticed Rowling's bizarre fixation on beards, leading her to tweet that she "like[s] beards" except "when they're attached to [[misogyny|misogynists]]."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20231023114409/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1580611061698334720</ref> In Rowling's view, a reasonable plea to listen to trans people and experts represents misogyny, while the bar seems to have been set at simply ''existing'' for the aforementioned Welsh woman. On November 21, 2022, the day after five people were murdered in a [[mass shooting]] at a gay bar in [[Colorado]], Rowling liked a tweet by far-right personality [[Libs of TikTok]], which mocked another Twitter user for criticizing [[Kanye West]] amidst his anti-semitism and white supremacy controversy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelleher |first=Patrick |date=November 23, 2022 |title=JK Rowling 'likes' tweet by far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ Libs of TikTok |work=PinkNews |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/11/23/jk-rowling-libs-of-tik-tok-twitter/ |access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/MrzlN Archived "likes" page of J.K. Rowling], showing the Libs of TikTok tweet</ref><ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20221122192422/https://twitter.com/trans_safety/status/1594835928656363521 Archived screenshot]</ref> Libs of TikTok's well-known, relentless anti-LGBT fearmongering has been credited with setting off a wave of violent threats against children's hospitals and drag events.<ref>Washington Post: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/09/02/lgbtq-threats-hospitals-libs-of-tiktok/ Twitter account Libs of TikTok blamed for harassment of children’s hospitals], dated to Sept 2, 2022</ref><ref>Them: [https://www.them.us/story/libs-of-tik-tok-twitter-facebook-instagram-explained-childrens-hospitals-grooming How Libs of TikTok Became an Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Machine], dated Sept 30, 2022</ref> On June 16, 2023, Rowling liked a direct tweet from [[Three Percenters]] movement leader Erik Rohde proclaiming "we stand with you and III% is{{sic}} proudly members of House Gryffindor".<ref name="Rodhe1">Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230616122553/https://twitter.com/KatyMontgomerie/status/1669680559524552706 JK Rowling liking tweets from a "Three Percenter" leader. The "Three Percenters" are a far right militia that are considered a terrorist group in Canada], dated to Jun 16, 2023</ref><ref name="Rodhe2">Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230902173238/https://twitter.com/ErikIsland3/status/1669113631630589953 Just wanted to say we stand with you and III% is proudly members of House Gryffindor 🧙‍♂️], dated to June 14, 2023</ref> Rodhe's tweet was made in reply to an earlier tweet by himself declaring "Fu<k [[Antifascist Action|ANTIFA]]" in reference to a counter-rally planned for June 17 against an anti-trans protest in [[Washington State]].<ref name="Rodhe1" /><ref name="Rodhe2" /><ref>Lynnwood Today: [https://lynnwoodtoday.com/heated-protest-over-transgender-rights-draws-hundreds-to-lynnwood/ Heated protest over transgender rights draws hundreds to Lynnwood]</ref> The Three Percenters are a far-right [[militia]] recognised as an extremist group by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name="SPLC">SPLC: [https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/three-percenters Three Percenters]</ref> The movement was officially deemed a terrorist group by the [[Canada|Canadian]] government in 2021.<ref>CBC: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/terrorist-list-three-percenters-1.6079984 Three Percenters, neo-Nazi group added to Canada's terrorist list]</ref> Symptomatic of her radicalization, Rowling has tweeted in support of a supposed "Black Women’s Caucus Statement Against [[Gender ideology|Gender Ideology]]" that [[Women's Declaration International]] – an anti-trans hate group whose leaders are all white – has concocted.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1649464902166126602?lang=en Tweet by J.K. Rowling]</ref> On October 15, 2023, Rowling turned up as a surprise guest on a panel at a [[FiLiA]] conference in Glasgow, stating she could "take the hit" as someone who will "always be able to feed [her] family."<ref name="FiLiA1">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/17/lgbtq-groups-protest-gender-critical-conference-hosting-jk-rowling-as-a-speaker/ LGBTQ+ groups protest gender critical conference hosting JK Rowling as a speaker]</ref><ref name="FiLiA2">The National: [https://archive.ph/gWebn JK Rowling speaks at FiLiA feminist conference labelled 'transphobic']</ref><ref name="FiLiA3">The Times: [https://archive.ph/vHLJu JK Rowling makes surprise appearance at feminist conference in Glasgow]</ref> The appearance is believed to be Rowling's first time speaking publicly on trans issues and was reportedly not publicised beforehand.<ref name="FiLiA2" /><ref name="FiLiA3" /> Two days later, she tweeted a photo (which was at that point more than five years old<ref>Nick Duffy (July 11, 2018). [https://www.thepinknews.com/2018/07/11/trans-women-are-women-london-landmarks/ "'Trans women are women' projected onto London landmark after Pride hijack controversy"]. ''PinkNews''.</ref>) of the text "Repeat after us: trans women are women" projected on a government building, adding the blatantly transphobic response "No."<ref name="Prison1">Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/books/j-k-rowling-would-do-prison-time-for-transgender-views/ J.K. Rowling says she would 'happily' do prison time for controversial transgender views]</ref> This prompted a series of batshit tweets in which she [[persecution complex|fantasised about being sent to prison]] for [[misgendering]] trans people, declaring that she'd "happily do two years" over "compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex."<ref name="Prison1" /><ref name="Prison2">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/19/jk-rowling-correct-pronouns-trans-jail/ JK Rowling would prefer two years in jail over using a trans person’s correct pronouns]</ref><ref name="Prison3">Out Magazine: [https://www.out.com/celebs/j-k-rowling#rebelltitem1 J.K. Rowling Says She'd Rather Go to Prison Than Correctly Gender a Trans Person]</ref> On November 3, 2023, ''The Australian'' ran a story about how the state of South Australia had implemented a policy of using preferred pronouns in court.<ref>The Australian: [https://archive.is/jQvrl South Australia court calls for use of preferred gender pronouns]</ref> Rowling fired off a tweet declaring it "state-sanctioned abuse" to ask a woman to refer to "her male rapist or violent assaulter as 'she' in court."<ref name="ITM2023">Inside the Magic: [https://insidethemagic.net/2023/11/jk-rowling-trans-women-rapists-tweet-jc1/ J.K. Rowling Equates Trans Women to Rapists]</ref><ref group=note>Such policies apply to ''all'' court proceedings rather than solely to cases involving sexual assault. They aren't designed to protect the feelings of rapists, but to ensure that [[due process]] isn't jeopardized by systemic bias or unfair treatment, and thus reduce the chances of guilty parties being freed on legal technicalities. British TERFs seem unwilling to accept that not all jurisdictions {{w|Rape of males#United Kingdom|legally define "rape"}} as non-consensual penile penetration (thus precluding AFAB offenders) like the UK.</ref> A Twitter user pointed out the [[fallacy]] of "treating trans women like predators" when they are "statistically far more likely to be [sexual assault] victims."<ref name="ITM2023" /> A 2015 U.S. study found that nearly half of surveyed trans people reported having experienced sexual violence.<ref>National Center for Transgender Equality: [https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS-Full-Report-Dec17.pdf The Report of the 2015 Transgender Equality Survey]</ref> Surveys in [[Canada]] and [[Australia]] have also found trans people to be at increased risk compared to cis people.<ref>The Sydney Morning Herald: [https://www.smh.com.au/national/what-s-in-your-pants-gender-diverse-people-exposed-to-high-rates-of-sexual-violence-20190917-p52s3f.html 'What's in your pants?': Gender diverse people exposed to high rates of sexual violence]</ref><ref>Statistics Canada: [https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2020001/article/00009-eng.htm Experiences of violent victimization and unwanted sexual behaviours among gay, lesbian, bisexual and other sexual minority people, and the transgender population, in Canada, 2018]</ref> Despite this evidence, Rowling smeared the Twitter user as a "rapists' rights activist," accusing them, unironically, of ignoring facts that "contradict [their] fallacious argument."<ref name="ITM2023" /> Courts SA released a statement calling Rowling's claims "completely unfounded."<ref>1news: [https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/07/jk-rowling-chided-for-unfounded-claim-on-south-australia-courts/ J.K. Rowling chided for 'unfounded claim' on South Australia courts]</ref> ====2024: Going full Graham Linehan==== On February 2, 2024, Rowling broke a period of Twitter inactivity to join the [[Moms for Liberty#Book banning|anti-LGBT book-banning crusade]], decrying the Glasgow Women's Library for displaying an indie comic about trans lesbians.<ref name="gwl1">https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1753395762514251883</ref><ref name="gwl2">https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1753418692463862204</ref> Initially, she characterised the zine as a "delightful penis-centred work" intended to "[[TERF glossary#Lesbian erasure|shame and coerce lesbians out of same-sex orientation]],"<ref name="gwl1" /> but shortly after described it as "cent[ring] the desires of straight men."<ref name="gwl2" /> On Valentine's Day, Rowling tarred Jonathan Liew, lead ''[[Guardian]]'' sports writer, as a "'progressive' misogynist" for a piece defending {{wpl|Parkrun||,}} a non-competitive fun run, against gender-critical fury over its lack of sex segregation.<ref>The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240214195939/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/14/jk-rowling-labels-guardian-writer-progressive-misogynist/ JK Rowling labels Guardian journalist 'progressive misogynist' over Parkrun trans row]</ref> It was also noted around this time that Rowling had liked a series of November 2023 tweets mocking and misgendering [[heavy metal|metal]] guitarist Katy Montgomerie for discussing her experiences with [[domestic violence]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240209163616/https://twitter.com/WistfulOtter/status/1755366943073112184</ref> On February 16, 2024, Rowling donated £70,000 to a [[crowdfunding|crowdfund]] launched by {{wpl|For Women Scotland||,}} an anti-trans group founded by Magdalen Berns.<ref name="fws1">The Times: [https://archive.is/yAOS2 JK Rowling donates £70k for legal challenge on defining a woman]</ref><ref name="fws2">Pink News: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/19/jk-rowling-for-women-scotland-donation-legal-definition-woman/ JK Rowling reportedly donates £70,000 to group's Supreme Court appeal over 'woman' definition]</ref> FWS plan to launch a Supreme Court challenge to legally enshrine a definition of "'sex' [...] referring to [[biological sex|biology]]."<ref name="fws1" /><ref name="fws2" /> The case will ostensibly be an appeal of a 2022 Scottish ruling concerning a law requiring that public boards in Scotland be made up of 50% women.<ref name="fws1" /><ref name="fws2" /><ref name="fws3">The Telegraph: [https://archive.is/eIEz2GC JK Rowling donates £70k to challenge ruling that men can become women]</ref> This decision, much to the consternation of UK transphobes, held that trans women legally count as women.<ref name="fws1" /><ref name="fws2" /><ref name="fws3" /> TERFs have made no secret of the fact that they're following the [[anti-abortion]] playbook of mounting successive regional legal challenges in the hope of eventually winning a landmark national ruling like ''[[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization|Dobbs]]''. Daniel Sanderson of ''[[The Telegraph]]'' crowed that FWS are seeking an "'historic' Supreme Court ruling stating that men cannot become women."<ref name="fws3" /> Commentators have noted that the challenge could lead to a rollback of existing legal recognition and protections for trans people in the UK if successful.<ref>[https://archive.is/yhDHo Tweet by Thomas Willett]</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/HmRJh Tweet by India Willoughby]</ref> As [[TERF_glossary#Ultra_.2F_non-ultra|TERFs squabbled over pronouns]], and UK prime minister [[Rishi Sunak]] faced widespread backlash for his transphobia, Rowling zeroed in on trans women in the [[prison]] system. This began with a February 20 broadside accusing trans-rights supporters of using incarcerated cis women as "validation tools or emotional support props for trans-identified male sex offenders."<ref name="prison1">https://web.archive.org/web/20240223004741/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1759940576340770987</ref> In this four-pagagraph tweet, Rowling claimed that "activists" are "knowingly forcing [cis women prisoners] to live in fear of, and, in some proven cases, to suffer abuse."<ref name="prison1" /> Rowling held that housing cis women with trans women constitutes "cruel and unusual punishment" due to the potential risk of sexual violence. Meanwhile, research has consistently found that ''trans women'' are at greater risk in prison.<ref name="prison2">CNN: [https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/23/us/trans-women-incarceration/index.html Trans women are still incarcerated with men and it's putting their lives at risk]</ref> A 2007 study found that 59% of trans inmates in [[California]] reported experiencing sexual assault while incarcerated in contrast to 4.4% of the general prison population.<ref>Valerie Jenness ''et al.'', [https://bpb-us-e2.wpmucdn.com/sites.uci.edu/dist/0/1149/files/2013/06/Jenness-et-al._PREA-Report.pdf Violence in California Correctional Facilities: An Empirical Examination of Sexual Assault] (2007)</ref> In 2016, an [[Australia]]n trans woman revealed that, while serving time for auto theft in a men's prison, she was raped over 2000 times.<ref>News.com.au: [https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/a-transgender-woman-talks-about-life-in-a-male-prison/news-story/a6da09f95a36857eeee95f16028b06eb A transgender woman talks about life in a male prison]</ref> Rowling quickly betrayed that her outrage was born more of a desire to [[Cherry picking|cherry pick]] crime statistics to prove that [[biological determinism|AMAB people are inherently violent while AFAB people are not]]. On February 26, ''Sky News'' published a story about the conviction of Scarlet Blake, a trans woman, for murdering a random man in Oxford in 2021.<ref>Sky News: [https://news.sky.com/story/scarlet-blake-who-had-obsession-with-death-jailed-for-life-for-murdering-man-13081049 Cat killer Scarlet Blake who had 'obsession with death' jailed for life for murdering man]</ref> In response, Rowling tweeted, "I'm so sick of this shit. This is not a woman. These are [[No True Scotsman|#NotOurCrimes]]."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240301044254/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1762187612352020860#m</ref> She re-tweeted an open letter from journalist Louise Tickle condemning the ''Guardian'' for not initially reporting Blake's trans status.<ref name="tickle1">[https://archive.is/mA90J Archived tweet by J. K. Rowling]</ref> Tickle insisted this editorial choice "falsif[ied] the public record" and caused the "wrong perception that women are suddenly more aggressive."<ref name="tickle1" /> On March 3, Rowling argued that bans on "men" in "women's spaces" allow alleged interlopers to be "challenged" for "breaking a rule decent men respect."<ref name="iw1">https://web.archive.org/web/20240304214247/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1764388015118442533</ref> Twitter @[[Owen Jones|OwenJones]]Stan replied with a .gif of trans newsreader {{wpl|India Willoughby||,}} asking, "So you are saying this lady should use the men's locker room then?!"<ref name="iw3">[https://twitter.com/OwenJonesStan/status/1764398980698394784#m Archived tweet by @OwenJonesStan]</ref><ref name="iw4">The Independent: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240304204520/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-twitter-india-willoughby-trans-b2506793.html JK Rowling deliberately misgenders trans activist India Willoughby]</ref><ref name="iw5">Erin in the Morning: [https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/jk-rowling-transphobia-rowling-calls JK Rowling Transphobia: Rowling Calls Trans Woman Journalist "A Man...Cosplaying]</ref> Rowling responded the next day with a [[ad hominem|blatantly transphobic attack]] on Willoughby, calling her a "[[autogynephilia|man revelling in his misogynistic performance]] of what he thinks 'woman' means: narcissistic, shallow and exhibitionist."<ref name="iw4" /><ref name="iw5" /><ref name="iw6">[https://archive.is/lQH5B Archived tweet by J. K. Rowling]</ref> This was followed shortly after with a second tweet accusing Willoughby of "cosplaying a misogynistic male fantasy of what a woman is."<ref name="iw4" /><ref name="iw5" /><ref name="iw7">[https://archive.is/VHfGE Archived tweet by J. K. Rowling]</ref> These comments were almost certainly the first time Rowling openly and unambiguously [[Misgendering|misgendered]] a trans public figure. Byline TV (a branch of ''Byline Times'') released an exclusive interview with Willoughby on March 6.<ref name="iw8">https://twitter.com/BylineTV/status/1765484416275472570</ref><ref name="iw9">Variety: [https://variety.com/2024/film/global/jk-rowling-police-report-india-willoughby-alleged-transphobia-1235933347/ Broadcaster Says She Reported J.K. Rowling to the Police Over Alleged Transphobia as ‘Harry Potter’ Author Threatens Harassment Claim]</ref><ref name="iw10">Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/jk-rowling-reported-to-police-transphobia-uk-india-willoughby-8605704 J.K. Rowling reported to police for alleged transphobia by broadcaster]</ref> The interviewer, Caolan Robertson, formerly worked for [[white nationalist]] [[Tommy Robinson]], but has since disavowed his association with the extreme right.<ref>Pink News: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/04/18/caolan-robertson-gay-former-extremist-far-right-cult-homophobia-tommy-robinson/ Gay former extremist Caolan Robertson says leaving the far-right was like escaping 'a cult']</ref> In the interview, Willoughby stated she received "putrid" abuse on social media in the wake Rowling's outburst, revealing that she reported the author to the police on March 5.<ref name="iw8" /><ref name="iw9" /><ref name="iw10" /> Byline TV's Twitter account suggested this report "could lead to Rowling's arrest."<ref name="iw8" /> Transphobes launched a fresh wave of attacks. Robertson put out a video clarifying that he'd extended an interview invitation to Rowling.<ref>https://twitter.com/BylineTV/status/1765529551117971581</ref><ref name="iw11">Mediate: [https://www.mediaite.com/uk/bylinetv-producer-apologises-for-explicit-outburst-at-jk-rowling/ BylineTV Producer Apologises For Explicit Outburst At JK Rowling]</ref> Rowling responded by accusing Robertson of "call[ing] India 'him' twice" in the video.<ref>https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1765685200174862555</ref><ref group=note>Robertson used "them" twice after using "her." This is clear in both the subtitles and the audio.</ref> This lead to a tit-for-tat culminating in Robertson calling Rowling a "[[cunt]]."<ref name="iw11" /> Robertson offered a grovelling apology to Rowling for his "unforgivable and inexcusable" language on March 8.<ref name="iw11" /> Rowling accepted this "spontaneously made" apology and asked "any supporters of mine giving Caolan grief to please stop now."<ref name="iw11" /> (She predictably hasn't told her flying monkeys to lay off Willoughby and every other trans person she's targeted.) Northumbria Police stated they would not be pursuing Willoughby's complaint since it "did not meet the criminal threshold."<ref>The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-india-willoughby-police-trans-b2509754.html India Willoughby's JK Rowling complaint did not meet criminal threshold, police say]</ref> According to Willoughby, UK [[hate crime]] law only covers [[hate speech|speech]] targeting people on the basis of race or religion, but Rowling's tweets were recorded as a "non-crime hate incident."<ref>https://twitter.com/IndiaWilloughby/status/1766214992364269598</ref> On 13 March 2024, Rowling [[Holocaust denial|denied that the Nazis persecuted trans people]], saying the idea is "[[delusion|a fever dream]]".<ref name="JKRForward">Mira Fox (March 13, 2024). [https://forward.com/culture/592580/j-k-rowling-holocaust-denial-trans/ "It wasn't just the goblins — is J.K. Rowling doing Holocaust denial now?"]. ''The Forward''.</ref><ref>Trudy Ring (March 15, 2024). [https://www.advocate.com/transgender/jk-rowling-nazis-persecuted-transgender "Yes, J.K. Rowling, the Nazis persecuted trans people, burned books"]. ''The Advocate''.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Erin |title=JK Rowling Holocaust Denialism: Author Pushes Claims That Trans People Were Not A Target |url=https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/jk-rowling-holocaust-denialism-author |work=www.erininthemorning.com |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/vXdql |archive-date=2024-03-13 |language=en |date=2024-03-13 |url-status=live}}</ref> She then cited a thread by Malcolm Clark, an [[LGB Alliance]] co-founder and incidentally, non-historian.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Roisin |title=Trans comedian Jen Ives verbally abused at LGB Alliance conference in new video |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/news/jen-ives-lgb-alliance-video-b2042053.html |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Y0Y3k |archive-date=2022-03-23 |language=en |date=23 March 2022 |quote=LGB Alliance founder Malcolm Clark also shared... |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McKenna |first1=Kevin |title=Scots gay pioneer: ‘It’s depressing that a lot of our good work is being trashed’ |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23641723.gay-pioneer-its-depressing-lot-good-work-trashed/ |work=The Herald |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/4Zwn0 |archive-date=2023-07-08 |language=en |date=8 July 2023 |quote=Mr Clark is ... a key figure in the LGB Alliance |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rowling |first1=J.K. |title=J.K. Rowling on X: "Thread on the persistent claims about trans peopl… |quote=Thread on the persistent claims about trans people and the Nazis 👇 |url=https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1767928717538644460 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Ia36n |archive-date=2024-03-13 |language=en |date=13 March 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Clark's thread said that transgender people weren't a "key target" of the Nazis',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Malcolm |title=Malcolm Clark on Twitter: "1./ Trans Healthcare and the Nazis. The LG… |url=https://twitter.com/TwisterFilm/status/1662967081191497728 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Kh8rg |archive-date=2023-05-29 |language=en |date=28 May 2023 |quote=The LGBTQ+ lobby likes to claim trans people were a key target of the Nazis. They weren't. |url-status=live}}</ref> then conflated gender reassignment surgery with Nazi [[Eugenics#Nazi_Germany|eugenics]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Malcolm |title=Malcolm Clark on Twitter: "21./ The sad truth is trans healthcare's f… |url=https://twitter.com/TwisterFilm/status/1662967146245242880 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/jmkqA |archive-date=13 March 2024 |language=en |date=28 May 2023 |quote=The sad truth is trans healthcare's founder and first surgeon championed eugenics. Together they invented a new way to sterilise patients, involving fake genitals created surgically. Two years after inventing the vaginoplasty Gohrbandt was busy sterilising the disabled. |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Nazi human experimentation|concentration camp experiments]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Malcolm |title=Malcolm Clark on X: "12./ Up to 15000 gay men were sent to concentrat… |url=https://twitter.com/TwisterFilm/status/1662967125512781826 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/85XAn |archive-date=13 March 2024 |language=en |date=29 May 2023 |quote=Only ten years after he conducted the first 'sex change surgery' Gohrbandt helped design experiments at Dachau which have become a byword for immoral medical experimentation. |url-status=live}}</ref> Contrary to Clark's claims, however, the Nazis did specifically persecute transgender people.<ref name="JKRStranger">Vivian McCall (March 20, 2024). [https://www.thestranger.com/queer/2024/03/20/79436234/yes-jk-rowling-the-nazis-did-persecute-trans-people "Yes, JK Rowling, the Nazis Did Persecute Trans People"]. ''The Stranger''.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Marhoefer |first1=Laurie |title=Transgender Life and Persecution under the Nazi State: Gutachten on the Vollbrecht Case |journal={{wpl|Central European History}} |date=December 2023 |volume=56 |issue=4 |pages=595–601 |doi=10.1017/S0008938923000468}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nunn |first1=Zavier |title=Trans Liminality and the Nazi State |journal={{wpl|Past & Present (journal)|Past & Present}} |date=24 July 2023 |volume=260 |issue=1 |pages=123–157 |doi=10.1093/pastj/gtac018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marie-Luise Vollbrecht verliert Streit um Meinungsäußerung |url=https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/bildung/marie-luise-vollbrecht-verliert-streit-um-meinungsaeusserung-a-fabb1812-5a5c-4b52-8982-590f5b0e6f2f |work=[[Der Spiegel]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/OY6gy |archive-date=2023-10-06 |language=de |date=11 November 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schillace |first1=Brandy |title=The Forgotten History of the World's First Trans Clinic |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-forgotten-history-of-the-worlds-first-trans-clinic/ |work=[[Scientific American]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/AkziE |archive-date=2024-03-13 |language=en |date=1 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Smithson"/>{{efn|Quite similar statements to Clark's were also made by social conservative pundit Matt Walsh in June 2023 shortly after Clark's May 2023 thread that Rowling boosted about a year after — and they remain just as malformed whoever said it (see: [[Matt Walsh#"Inventing" transgender people|Matt Walsh § "Inventing" transgender people]]).}} According to the {{wpl|Museum of Jewish Heritage||,}} the Nazis "brutally targeted the trans community, deporting many trans people to concentration camps and wiping out vibrant community structures."<ref>(2022). [https://mjhnyc.org/events/transgender-experiences-in-weimar-and-nazi-germany/ "Transgender Experiences in Weimar and Nazi Germany"]. ''Museum of Jewish Heritage''.</ref> Laurie Marhoefer, a historian specializing in the subject, states that the: "author of a 1938 book on 'the problem of transvestitism' wrote that before [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]] was in power, there was not much that could be done about transgender people, but that now, in [[Nazi Germany]], they could be put in concentration camps or subjected to forced [[castration]]. That was good, he believed, because the 'asocial mindset' of trans people and their supposedly frequent 'criminal activity … justifies draconian measures by the state.'"<ref name="Smithson">{{cite web |title=New Research Reveals How the Nazis Targeted Transgender People |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/new-research-reveals-how-the-nazis-targeted-transgender-people-180982931/ |work=Smithsonian Magazine |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/cdjcM |archive-date=2023-10-06 |language=en |date=21 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the Jewish journalist Rivkah Brown pointed out Rowling was "now a Holocaust denier" in a March 13 tweet, Rowling threatened Brown with legal action, saying "I'd be delighted to meet you in court, Rivkah, to discuss holocaust denial."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rowling |first1=J.K. |title=J.K. Rowling on X: "This, from @rivkahbrown, a journalist who wrote a… |url=https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1768214270288736308 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Uqc4n |archive-date=14 March 2024 |language=en |date=14 March 2024 |quote=I'd be delighted to meet you in court, Rivkah, to discuss holocaust denial. |url-status=live}}</ref> This forced Brown to issue an apology on April 15.<ref name="britthayes">{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Britt |title=J.K. Rowling's Legal Threat to Journalists for Calling Out Holocaust Denial Backfires |url=https://www.themarysue.com/j-k-rowling-holocaust-denial-nazi-transphobic/ |work=[[The Mary Sue]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/LLs9I |archive-date=2024-04-15 |language=en |date=15 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rowling has previously threatened legal action over commentary on her transphobia, including against Canadian politician Nicola Spurling (2020),<ref name="spurling" /> UK youth news site ''The Day'' (2020),<ref name="white">{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Adam |title=JK Rowling receives apology from children's site after legal threats over trans claims |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-trans-people-row-apology-transphobia-the-day-harry-potter-a9635346.html |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Ulnql |archive-date=2020-07-26 |language=en |date=23 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> and Irish actor JJ Welles (2023).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Sophie |title=JJ Welles: Actor apologises for calling JK Rowling a 'Nazi' |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/14/jj-welles-jk-rowling-apology-nazi/ |work=[[PinkNews]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/lxMUg |archive-date=2023-02-14 |language=en |date=14 February 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> UK libel law enables [[SLAPP suit|SLAPP lawsuits]] of this kind to a much greater extent than other countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=UK vows to stop the super-rich using courts to silence critics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60773942 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/bLQyM |archive-date=2024-04-14 |language=en |date=17 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Elgot |first1=Jessica |title=UK to clamp down on libel ‘lawfare’ by the rich in English courts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2022/mar/17/libel-lawfare-english-courts-slapps |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/5tiaQ |archive-date=2022-09-12 |language=en |date=17 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Croft |first1=Jane |title=Calls for reform of England’s libel laws to prevent abuse by wealthy litigants |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae8512d3-663e-4039-ba3e-6de4f8ca5120 |work=[[Financial Times]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Hhq1C |archive-date=2022-03-15 |language=en |date=2022-03-15 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Harrington |first1=Kayla |title=India Willoughby Explains the Troubling Reason J.K. Rowling Is 'Beyond Criticism' in British Media |url=https://www.themarysue.com/india-willoughby-explains-j-k-rowling-is-above-criticism-in-british-media/ |work=[[The Mary Sue]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/wAiMF |archive-date=2023-02-26 |language=en |date=23 February 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> News of the SLAPP threat against Brown lead "[[Streisand effect|JK Rowling is a Holocaust [Denier]]]" to trend on Twitter on April 16.<ref name="britthayes" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Mira |last2=|first2=|title=J.K. Rowling didn’t want to be called a Holocaust denier. That backfired. |url=https://forward.com/culture/603271/jk-rowling-holocaust-streisand-effect/ |work=The Forward |access-date= |archive-url= |archive-date= |language= |date=16 April 2024 |url-status}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Vaishnavi |first1=Arya |last2=|first2=|title=Why is JK Rowling being called a ‘Holocaust Denier’? Here's why it is trending on X |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/why-is-jk-rowling-being-called-a-holocaust-denier-heres-why-it-is-trending-on-x-101713265815428.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date= |archive-url= |archive-date= |language= |date=16 April 2024 |url-status}}</ref> On 1 April 2024, Rowling posted a Twitter thread listing several trans women public figures (including Willoughby) alongside violent sexual offenders, in what [[MSNBC]] reporter Clarissa-Jan Lim deemed "an apparent attempt to draw a connection between trans people and sexual perversion".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lavietes |first1=Matt |title=J.K. Rowling will not be arrested for comments about transgender women, police say |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/jk-rowling-will-not-arrested-comments-transgender-women-police-say-rcna146065 |work=[[NBC News]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/aD8BK |archive-date=2024-04-03 |language=en |date=2 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lim |first1=Clarissa-Jan |title=J.K. Rowling challenged Scotland’s new hate crime law by attacking trans women |url=https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/jk-rowling-scotland-hate-crime-laws-transphobic-rcna146183 |work=[[MSNBC]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/CBMjU |archive-date=2024-04-03 |language=en |date=3 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rowling sarcastically called the listed individuals women throughout the thread, but then declared they "[[misgendering|aren't women at all, but men]], every last one of them" in an April Fool's gotcha the very end.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ferrigine |first1=Gabriella |title="Arrest me!": J.K. Rowling posts anti-trans rant, responding to Scottish hate crime law |url=https://www.salon.com/2024/04/01/arrest-me-jk-rowling-posts-anti-trans-rant-responding-to-scottish-hate-law/ |work=[[Salon.com|Salon]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/mMstn |archive-date=15 April 2024 |language=en |date=1 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rowling intentionally posted the thread on the day a new hate crime law came into effect in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Andrew |title=JK Rowling, Joe Rogan and Elon Musk are fuming over Scotland’s hate crime law. Here’s why. |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/scotlands-controversial-hate-crime-law-triggered-jk-rowling-joe-rogan-elon-musk/ |work=[[Politico]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/6jo3c |archive-date=2024-04-05 |language=en |date=4 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Critics of this law fear it might [[chilling effect|chill]] [[free speech]] and criminalise the expression of TERFish views.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sandle |first1=Paul |title=J.K. Rowling will not face action under Scottish hate crime laws, police say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-government-backs-jk-rowling-scottish-hate-crime-law-challenge-2024-04-02/ |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/BXukI |archive-date=2024-04-03 |language=en |date=2024-04-02 |url-status=live}}</ref> In true [[edgelord]] fashion, Rowling, who was holidaying "out of the country" at the time, said "I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=James |last2=Hastie |first2=Paul |title=JK Rowling in ‘arrest me’ challenge over Scottish hate crime law |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51j64lk2l8o |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/64VDQ |archive-date=2024-04-01 |language=en |date=1 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> A police spokesperson clarified that her comments were not criminal and no action would be taken.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Libby |last2=correspondent |first2=Libby Brooks Scotland |title=JK Rowling will not be arrested under new Scottish hate law, say police |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/02/jk-rowling-will-not-be-arrested-under-new-scottish-hate-law-say-police |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/yVgS3 |archive-date=2024-04-02 |language=en |date=2 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Tarnishing legacy as a beloved author=== ====Anti-trans personality cult==== [[File:JKRLadiesLunch.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Guests at a [[TERF glossary#.23JKRLadiesLunch|#JKRLadiesLunch]] wearing cut-out masks of J. K.'s face.]] A bizarre [[personality cult]] has emerged in TERFdom since Rowling joined its ranks. The phrase "[[TERF glossary#I Love J. K. Rowling|I Love J. K. Rowling]]" has become one of the most recognisable transphobic [[dog whistle]]s.<ref name="independent">"[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-transphobia-poster-edinburgh-station-posie-parker-transgender-a9645481.html I love JK Rowling’ poster taken down at Edinburgh railway station due to ‘political nature’]", ''The Independent''</ref><ref>"[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/i-love-j-k-rowling-sign-makes-brief-controversial-appearance-in-vancouver-1.5722244 I Love J.K. Rowling sign makes brief, controversial appearance in Vancouver]", ''CBC News''</ref> Far-right anti-trans activist [[Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull]] has famously plastered the slogan on billboards and merchandise.<ref name="independent" /> Rowling has claimed that 90% of her fans agree with her transphobia but are "[[Silent Majority|afraid to speak up]]" due to "[[cancel culture|fear for their jobs]] and [[persecution complex|even for their personal safety]]."<ref>[https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/12/j-k-rowling-says-90-fans-agree-transphobia-theyre-afraid-say-publicly/ J.K. Rowling says 90% of her fans agree with her transphobia but they’re afraid to say so publicly], lgbtqnation</ref> One prominent example of this cult of personality is the mythical status that Rowling's [[#2017-2019: The mask starts to slip| #IStandWithMaya tweet]] has attained within so-called gender-critical circles. Disgraced screenwriter turned professional transphobe [[Graham Linehan]] proclaimed the tweet's anniversary of December 19 to be "Gender Critical Coming Out Day" in 2021.<ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/11/12/gender-critical-coming-out-day-trans-graham-linehan-mumsnet/ A planned 'gender critical coming out day' sparks searing backlash: 'It's despicable in every way']</ref><ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/11/11/gender-critical-coming-out-day-trans-graham-linehan/ Graham Linehan and anti-trans activists plan pathetic, pitiful Christmas campaign for TERFs]</ref><ref>LGBTQ Nation: [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/11/new-holiday-honors-day-j-k-rowling-came-opponent-trans-rights/ New 'holiday' honors day J.K. Rowling “came out” as an opponent of trans rights]</ref> By 2022, the hateful holiday had come to be known as "TERFmas," and Rowling personally wished a follower "Merry Terfmas."<ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/12/19/what-does-merry-terfmas-mean-jk-rowling-trans/ What does ‘Merry Terfmas’ mean? Anti-trans activists’ pitiful Christmas campaign, explained]</ref><ref>The Advocate: [https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2022/12/19/jk-rowling-lambasted-merry-terfmas-tweet J.K. Rowling Lambasted for 'Merry Terfmas' Tweet]</ref> In 2020, transphobes began circulating a [[conspiracy theory]] that [[Twitter]] was stealing likes from the hallowed tweet, supposedly as part of a sinister trans-activist plot to artificially lower the like count.<ref name="Gemma">Gemma Stone: [https://medium.com/@notCursedE/likes-are-being-removed-from-jk-rowling-s-transphobic-tweet-1fc81e961cd8 'Likes' are being removed from JK Rowling's transphobic tweet]</ref> The conspiracy theory originated in Twitter failing to display a red heart on older tweets as a result of a glitch or deliberate process.<ref name="Gemma" /><ref name="Christa">https://web.archive.org/web/20210303034844/https://twitter.com/christapeterso/status/1366958322151088130</ref> [[Allison Bailey]] warned [[Jack Dorsey]] in November 2020 that he would inevitably need to "defend twitter against accusations of rampant manipulation of data" due to the supposed missing likes.<ref name="Gemma" /> {{w|Rosie Duffield}} declared in March 2021 that she was "putting [her] 'like' on record as it won't stick despite originally liking ages ago - sinister much...?"<ref name="Gemma" /><ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/03/08/rosie-duffield-trans-rights-bbc-politics-live-zing-tsjeng-labour-mp/ Rosie Duffield thinks it 'deeply frightening' that 'you have to write womxn with an x']</ref> At one point there was even a Twitter account (@RelikeReminder) that posted daily reminders to relike Rowling's tweet.<ref name="Christa" /> TERFs in the UK began holding so-called [[TERF glossary#.23JKRLadiesLunch|#JKRLadiesLunchs]] in 2022. These events were inspired by Rowling inviting nearly every prominent TERF in the UK to a "boozy" lunch at a posh [[London]] restaurant that April.<ref name="salon">Salon: [https://www.salon.com/2022/04/12/jk-rowling-terf-lunch-transgender-rights/ J.K. Rowling organizes boozy TERF lunch amidst protest and march for transgender rights]</ref><ref name="pinknews2">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/04/11/jk-rowling-lunch-get-the-l-out-anti-trans-rosie-duffield/ JK Rowling enjoys boozy lunch with anti-trans lobby while thousands march for trans equality]</ref> The luncheon took place as thousands marched on Downing Street against a plan to exclude trans people from a proposed ban on [[conversion therapy]].<ref name="salon" /><ref name="pinknews2" /> TERFs predictably decided that critics were merely upset over women gathering and having fun rather than at a rich transphobe throwing a party celebrating transphobia while trans people were literally fighting for their rights. On April 16, 2022, a [[Wales|Welsh]] TERF group shared a photo of their lunch date, commenting, "Only fair we had drinks & lunch! Oops do women need permission for that @jk_rowling?"<ref name="lunch">https://web.archive.org/web/20220721190313/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1515423379838455808</ref> Rowling replied, "It's ok, I'll get your permit postdated for you. I've got a contact in the Women's Lunch Permissions Office."<ref name="lunch" /> This isn't the only time that Rowling has directly encouraged the obsessive fawning of transphobic fans. In April 2022, an anonymous Scottish TERF claimed she had quit a book club after its members "roundly attacked and smeared" Rowling, tweeting that she'd founded her own club called JKR's Barmy Book Army.<ref name="telegraph">The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220424175250/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/04/24/jk-rowling-promises-visit-gender-critical-book-club-set-name/ JK Rowling promises to visit 'gender critical' book club set up in her name]</ref><ref name="scottishdaily">Scottish Daily Express: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220613033221/https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk-news/jk-rowling-hang-out-feminist-26782157 JK Rowling to hang out with feminist Scottish book club named in her honour]</ref> Rowling caught wind of this and vowed to personally attend a meeting of the club.<ref name="telegraph" /><ref name="scottishdaily" /> She made good on her promise in June.<ref>Daily Record: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220612125535/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/jk-rowling-drops-scottish-book-27211588 JK Rowling drops into Scots book club after promise to organiser who backed gender views]</ref> ====Reaction of ''Harry Potter'' cast==== Many actors who appeared in the original ''Harry Potter'' films have spoken out in support of trans rights since Rowling's transphobic awakening.<ref>PinkNews: "[https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/10/harry-potter-cast-trans-rights-jk-rowling/ Here's everything the Harry Potter cast have said about JK Rowling and trans rights]</ref><ref>US Weekly: [https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/harry-potter-cast-how-stars-feel-about-j-k-rowling-controversy/ What the 'Harry Potter' Cast Has Said About Where They Stand With J.K. Rowling Amid Controversy]"</ref> This has included the series' three main stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.<ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jun/08/daniel-radcliffe-jk-rowling-transgender-tweets 'Trans women are women': Daniel Radcliffe speaks out after JK Rowling tweets]</ref><ref>Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/celebrity/emma-watson-speaks-out-trans-rights-jk-rowling-comments/ Emma Watson speaks out for trans rights after J.K. Rowling's controversial comments]</ref><ref>BuzzFeed: [https://www.buzzfeed.com/stephenlaconte/rupert-grint-jk-rowling-anti-trans-tweets-response-daniel Rupert Grint Just Responded To J.K. Rowling's Anti-Trans Statements]</ref> Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston, stars of the spin-off franchise ''Fantastic Beasts'', have denounced Rowling's remarks.<ref>Variety: [https://variety.com/2020/film/news/eddie-redmayne-jk-rowling-anti-trans-tweets-harry-potter-fantastic-beasts-1234630226/ Eddie Redmayne Criticizes J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Tweets]"</ref><ref>Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/07/katherine-waterston-on-why-its-important-to-denounce-jk-rowlings-transphobic-comments Katherine Waterston on Why It's "Important" to Denounce J.K. Rowling's Transphobic Comments]</ref> ''Potter'' alumni who have defended Rowling include nearly every major villain and tedious anti-"woke" crank John Cleese.<ref>Vulture: [https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/john-cleese-transphobic-twitter-drama-explained.html John Cleese Supports J.K. Rowling, Mocks Trans Rights on Twitter]</ref><ref>The Hollywood Reporter: [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/harry-potter-ralph-fiennes-defends-jk-rowling-1235248133/ Ralph Fiennes Says Abuse Directed at J.K. Rowling Over Trans Controversy Is "Disgusting"]</ref><ref>Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/11/helena-bonham-carter-goes-to-bat-for-jk-rowling-and-johnny-depp Helena Bonham Carter Goes to Bat for J.K. Rowling and Johnny Depp]</ref><ref>Yahoo!Life: [https://style.yahoo.com/harry-potter-tom-felton-supports-jk-rowling-084543708.html Harry Potter's Tom Felton praises JK Rowling for "bringing joy to generations"]</ref> [[File:DanielRadcliffe.jpg|right|thumb|165px|Daniel Radcliffe is an adult now. He doesn't have to obey Momma Rowling.]] Transphobes have taken aim at cast members for criticising Rowling and affirming their support of trans people. [[Helen Joyce]] tweeted in 2020 that it "must hurt being insulted and betrayed by two young people [Radcliffe and Watson] whose careers she made."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220408043144/https://twitter.com/setoacnna/status/1271180048184283136</ref> In late 2021, [[Piers Morgan]] lambasted the stars as "ungrateful little twerps" more interested in "pathetic [[virtue-signalling]]" than defending the right of the "woman who made them all rich and famous" to her views.<ref>The Mirror: [https://web.archive.org/web/20211230044930/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/piers-morgan-hits-out-ungrateful-25813575 Piers Morgan hits out at 'ungrateful' Harry Potter stars for not supporting JK Rowling]</ref> Judith Woods branded Radcliffe "the world's most ungrateful man" in the ''[[Telegraph]]'' after he reaffirmed his support of LGBT rights in a November 2022 interview.<ref name="telegraph2">The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20221103121839/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/11/02/daniel-radcliffe-surely-worlds-ungrateful-man/ Daniel Radcliffe is surely the world’s most ungrateful man]</ref><ref name="lgbtqnation">LGBTQ Nation: [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/11/internet-mocks-anti-trans-columnist-said-daniel-radcliffe-ungrateful-jk-rowling/ Internet mocks anti-trans columnist who said Daniel Radcliffe has been 'ungrateful' to JK Rowling]</ref> Woods accused Radcliffe of being a "33-year-old man child" (but also a "petulant pup") seeking to "once again [...] cancel his creator."<ref name="telegraph2" /><ref name="lgbtqnation" /> Graham Linehan labelled Radcliffe an "ungrateful, traitorous, talentless misogynist" in an April 2023 tweet.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230404110620/https://twitter.com/Glinner/status/1643155114776051713</ref> In early 2023, [[transvestigation|transvestigators]] spun the conspiracy theory that Radcliffe's [[biological determinism|slightly-taller]] cis girlfriend Erin Darke must be trans, despite the couple having just announced they were expecting their first child.<ref>Them: [https://www.them.us/story/daniel-radcliffe-girlfriend-transvestigators Transphobes Believe That Daniel Radcliffe's Pregnant Cis Girlfriend Is Trans]</ref><ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/04/09/daniel-radcliffe-erin-darke-transphobia/ Transphobes share conspiracy theory about Daniel Radcliffe's pregnant girlfriend]</ref> Watson set off a wave of abusive online comments by making a mildly trans-supportive quip at the BAFTAs in early 2022.<ref name="mail">Daily Mail: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220314123928/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10610553/Woke-brat-Emma-Watson-blasted-witches-BAFTAs-barb-JK-Rowling.html 'Woke brat' Emma Watson is blasted for her 'ALL the witches' BAFTAs barb at JK Rowling - the woman who 'plucked her from obscurity' - and 'being so desperate to please trans fans, she s**t on ALL women']</ref> Trolls variously accused her of being an "ungrateful woke brat" and of "biting the hand that feeds [her]."<ref name="mail" /> In April 2024, after the release of a heavily [[Cherry picking|cherry-picked]] {{wpl|Cass Review|anti-trans government report}} in the UK, a self-described "FarRightHooligan" on Twitter suggested that "Dan and Emma" would soon issue a "very public apology" to Rowling.<ref name="apologies1">{{cite news |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=April 11, 2024 |title=J.K. Rowling Says She Won't Forgive Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson for Trans Stance | work= The Hollywood Reporter | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jk-rowling-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-harry-potter-transgender-1235871903/|location= | access-date=}}</ref><ref name="apologies2">{{cite news |last=Juneau |first=Jen |date=April 11, 2024 |title=J.K. Rowling Hits Out at Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson Over Their Trans Rights Support: They Can 'Save Their Apologies' | work = People | url=https://people.com/jk-rowling-wont-forgive-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-for-trans-rights-comments-8630039 |location= | access-date=}}</ref><ref name="apologies3">{{cite news |last=Guinness |first=Emma |date=April 11, 2024 |title=JK Rowling and the row over trans rights: Timeline of author's fall out with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson | work = The Independent | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jk-rowling-transphobia-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-rupert-grint-b2527530.html |location= | access-date=}}</ref> Rowling replied stating the actors could "[[narcissism|save their apologies]]."<ref name="apologies1" /><ref name="apologies2" /><ref name="apologies3" /> Radcliffe and Watson haven't publicly commented on Rowling recently, nor have they sought her forgiveness for having their own opinions. The [[framing]] of the actors' denunciation of Rowling's transphobia as "betrayal" and "ungratefulness" has drawn sharp criticism. Cartoonist Barry Deutsch wondered how playing Rowling's characters could possibly mean "ow[ing] her undying fealty to the extent of never disagreeing with her in public."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230701024007/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:bSw-67DPlRkJ:https://twitter.com/barrydeutsch/status/1630818804292014080 Internet Archive copy of a Google Cache copy of a tweet]. Thanks, [[Elon Musk|Elon]]!</ref> [[LibDem]] councillor Matt Severn similarly observed that a "contract signed by an 11 year old" does not impose a "legal duty of lifelong fealty and/or silence."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220718053652/https://twitter.com/Matt_Severn/status/1540638993179721733</ref> Twitter user @HimeOnion opined that transphobes were "literally pulling the 'I made you!' bullcrap abusive parents do."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230701024524/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KRiNXpEYaBMJ:https://twitter.com/LilySimpson1312/status/1588187074464997377 Another Internet Archive copy of a Google Cache copy of a Twitter thread].</ref> It's been speculated that Katherine Waterston had her role reduced from the female lead of the first two ''Fantastic Beasts'' films to a glorified cameo in the third in retaliation for calling out Rowling's transphobia.<ref>The Daily Dot: [https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/katherine-waterston-fantastic-beasts-dumbledore-tina-trans-rights/ Why did Katherine Waterston's Tina Goldstein vanish from the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise?]</ref><ref>Radio Times: [https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/katherine-waterston-fantastic-beasts-3-explained/ Is Katherine Waterston in the new Fantastic Beasts film?]</ref> Antonia Kinlay won a discrimination suit in 2021 after being dropped from the television adaptation of Rowling's ''[[#Cormoran Strike|Strike]]'' series due to her pregnancy.<ref>BBC News: [https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58100574 Strike actress wins £11k payout in pregnancy discrimination case]</ref> One wonders if Rowling ''actually'' opposes forcing women out of their jobs or simply wants her [[#2017-2019: The mask starts to slip|TERF friends]] to be able to say whatever they please without consequence. ====Forgetting that fans used to like her ==== In the third episode of ''The Witch Trials of JK Rowling'', a "[[balance fallacy|fair and balanced]]" podcast produced in early 2023 by ex-[[Westboro Baptist Church]] member {{w|Megan Phelps-Roper}} for {{w|The Free Press (media company)|The Free Press|,}} Rowling recounted an incident circa 2000 (she stated she was still writing ''Goblet of Fire'' at the time) when she visited a fan-run chatroom using a "random name."<ref name="harrison1">Ellie Harrison, "[https://archive.is/srTLY JK Rowling says she was bullied off a Harry Potter forum she joined under a pseudonym]", The Independent, 28 February 2023</ref><ref name="rains1">Kian Rains, "[https://archive.is/YjvNs JK Rowling: author claims she was ‘bullied’ out of a Harry Potter chatroom after joining anonymously]", Edinburgh Evening News, 2 March 2023</ref> As retold by Rowling in the podcast, she expressed a "very bland" ''Potter''-related opinion in the chat and was "clearly an idiot who [didn't] know anything," but nonetheless "got rounded on by users who told me in no uncertain terms to get out."<ref name="harrison1" /><ref name="rains1" /> Rowling claimed this was an example of [[cyberbullying]] and "[[authoritarian]] behaviour": {{quotebox|And I was thinking, I’ve written three and a half books where bullying is such a theme from the very first page, where bullying – and authoritarian behaviour – is held to be one of the worst of human ills, and look what just happened, from these people who call themselves such fans of this franchise.}} This account of her first bumbling encounter with the online fandom of her books [[Historical revisionism|differs starkly]] from ones given in the past. In March 2004, she posted an update to her official site announcing that "a few weeks ago I did something I've never done before and took a stroll into a ''Harry Potter'' chat room: specifically, MuggleNet's chat room."<ref name="jkrsite1">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060316213154/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/news_view.cfm?id=63 Mugglenet Chatroom Uninterested in JKR's Theories]", J.K.Rowling Official Site</ref> She jokingly lamented that "nobody was remotely interested in my theories about what's going to happen in book seven," and that, after failing to "impart any gems of wisdom," she moved on to a discussion of {{wpl|SpongeBob SquarePants|''SpongeBob SquarePants''|.}}<ref name="jkrsite1" /> This spawned a rumour that she had used the handle Squidward in the MuggleNet chatroom, causing fans on the site to adopt this username in jest for some time afterward.<ref name="jkrsite2">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060316212931/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/rumours_view.cfm?id=20 JKR is deadly serious when she forbids people to call Voldemort 'Voldy']", J.K.Rowling Official Site</ref> Rowling similarly spoke of this incident as a funny story in a 2005 interview with Melissa Anelli and Emerson Spartz of the fansite The Leaky Cauldron:<ref>"[http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2005/0705-tlc_mugglenet-anelli-2.htm The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet interview Joanne Kathleen Rowling: Part Two]", 16 July 2005</ref> {{quotebox|ES: How much time do you go on the fan sites? JKR: It really varies. When my site is quiet, it is genuinely because I'm working really hard or I'm busy with the kids or something. When I update a few times in a row, I've obviously been on the net. So the FAQs and that kind of stuff is just compiled by hard copy post that I get here and fan sites. I go looking to see what people want answered. It's fantastic, it's sometimes frustrating, but I do want to make clear, I do not post in comments, because I know that's been cropping up. You've both been really responsible about that, but that slightly worries me. I did go in the MuggleNet chatroom, it was hysterical. That was the first time I ever Googled Harry Potter. I was just falling into these things and Leaky — actually Leaky I already knew about, but I discovered MuggleNet that first-ever afternoon and I went in the chatroom, and it was so funny. I was treated with outright contempt. [Laughter.] It was funny, I can't tell you. ES: I’d like to apologize for, uh - JKR: No, no no no, not in a horrible way, but, "Yeah, yeah, shut up, you're not a regular, you don't know a thing." You can imagine!}} ==Promoting pseudoscience and ableism== ===Cross-sex blood transfusions=== On March 27, 2023, Rowling tweeted the false claim that it was "recently discovered" that "transfusions of blood from the opposite sex had poorer outcomes, including fatalities."<ref name="iflscience">IFL Science: [https://www.iflscience.com/when-you-get-a-blood-transfusion-does-it-matter-what-sex-the-donor-is-68212 When You Get A Blood Transfusion, Does It Matter What Sex The Donor Is?]</ref><ref name="MarySue">The Mary Sue: [https://www.themarysue.com/jk-rowling-cross-gender-blood-transfusions/ Please Do Not Let J. K. Rowling Convince You Blood Is Gendered]</ref><ref>Gizmodo: [https://gizmodo.com/donated-blood-is-safe-donor-sex-large-trial-1850332742 Donated Blood Is Safe No Matter a Person's Sex, Large Trial Find]</ref> Scientists pointed out that the single study cited by Rowling (Alshalani ''et al.'' 2022) had a small [[sample size]] and only found increased mortality in transfusions from AFAB patients to AMAB patients.<ref name="iflscience" /> It has also been noted that the study's conclusions fail to account for the [[confounding factor]] of male-assigned people generally having poorer ICU outcomes than female-assigned ones.<ref name="iflscience" /><ref name="WoodMorton">Henry Wood & Suzy Morton, [https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/6/23/6076/486588/Is-donor-recipient-sex-associated-with-transfusion Is donor-recipient sex associated with transfusion-related outcomes in critically ill patients?], ''Blood Advances'' (2022) 6(23)</ref> The two largest studies have both found no link between donor sex and recipient survival.<ref name="WoodMorton" /><ref>Nareg Roubinian ''et al.'', [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7029395/ Association of donor age, body mass index, hemoglobin, and smoking status with in-hospital mortality and length of stay among red blood cell transfused recipients], ''Transfusion'' (2019) 59(11)</ref><ref>Gustaf Edgren ''et al.'', [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540056/ Association of Donor Age and Sex With Survival of Patients Receiving Transfusions], ''JAMA Internal Medicine'' (2017) 177(6)</ref> However, another large study showed a small increase of mortality in transfusions to AMAB patients from AFAB donors with a history of [[pregnancy]], but none in transfusions to AMAB patients from never-pregnant AFAB donors.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Camila Caram-Deelder|url= https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29049654/|title=Association of Blood Transfusion From Female Donors With and Without a History of Pregnancy With Mortality Among Male and Female Transfusion Recipients|work=JAMA|year=2017|volume=318|issue=15}}</ref> It has been posited that this may be due to antibodies created through adverse autoimmune responses sometimes triggered by pregnancy.<ref name="MarySue" /> The [[NHS]] disallows whole-blood transfusions from those who have been pregnant to newborn babies.<ref name="MarySue" /> In short: most evidence suggests that AFAB blood recipients aren't put at greater risk by receiving blood from AMAB donors, but mother-of-three Rowling's blood could ''kill'' a trans woman recipient according to one study. As a resident of the [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|"mad cow"]]-stricken UK between 1980 and 1996, she would be deferred as a blood donor in [[Canada]] and several European countries,<ref>{{cite web|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/canadian-blood-services-ban-on-those-who-lived-in-britain-not-fair-says-albertan-1.2783375|title=Canadian Blood Services ban on those who lived in Britain not fair, says Albertan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=TheLocal.se|url=https://archive.is/BYsZ4#selection-1483.0-1483.57|title=FACT CHECK: Are Brits banned from giving blood in Sweden?}}</ref> and would've been deferred in [[Australia]], [[Israel]], and the [[United States]] until recently.<ref>{{cite web|work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-25/end-to-two-decades-long-mad-cow-ban-allows-for-more-blood-donors/101265116|title=End of 22-year 'mad cow' ban means more people can donate blood in Australia from today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=The Times of Israel|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-uk-residents-no-longer-banned-from-giving-blood-in-israel/|title=Former UK residents no longer banned from giving blood in Israel}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=ABC4 News|url=https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/blood-donation-ban-lifted-on-people-who-spent-time-in-europe-during-80s-and-90s/|title=Blood donation ban lifted on people who spent time in Europe during 80s and 90s}}</ref> This isn't to say that British mums-of-three shouldn't donate blood (it saves lives!). It's just that [[cognitive bias]]es tend to heighten the perception of [[risk]] related to [[Other]]s while diminishing the perception of risk concerning oneself. Rowling's fearmongering over cross-sex transfusions is reminiscent of past [[moral panic]]s. In 1960, the [[white supremacist]] publication ''The American Nationalist'' raged over the "thousands of critically ill [white] patients" supposedly "made sicker, or even killed" by "[[Black brute|tainted Negro blood transfusions]]," an "evil practice" it said was tolerated in the "[[reverse racism|sweet name of racial 'equality' and 'democracy']]."<ref>{{cite book|author=Susan E. Lederer|title=Flesh and Blood: Organ Transplantation and Blood Transfusion in 20th-Century America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q4TDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA129&lpg=PA129|page=129}}</ref> At the height of the [[HIV/AIDS]] crisis and ensuing {{w|tainted blood scandal}} in the 1980s, newspapers in the UK regularly carried lurid stories about the "Gay Plague", "Gay Menace", and "Gay Killer Bug".<ref>{{cite web|author=Raphaela van Oers|url=https://escholarship.mcgill.ca/concern/theses/fx719s51z|title=Stigma, prejudice, and sympathy: British Press coverage of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s}}</ref> Rowling's alarmist claims about "trans blood" are unsurprising in light of her widely-criticised [[#Werewolves as an AIDS metaphor|use of lycanthropy as a AIDS metaphor]] in the ''Potter'' series. ===Link between autism and gender variance=== In her 2020 TERF manifesto, Rowing claimed that there has been a "huge explosion in young women wishing to transition", and that "[[autism|autistic]] girls are hugely overrepresented in their numbers."<ref>Insider: [https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-says-explosion-of-young-women-have-transitioned-detransitioned-2020-6 J.K. Rowling said there's been an 'explosion' of young women transitioning and de-transitioning. There's no evidence that's true.]</ref><ref name="terfmanifesto" /> Research has shown an increase in transmasculine people seeking gender-affirming care since the early 2000s.<ref>Madison Aitken, [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsm.12817 Evidence for an Altered Sex Ratio in Clinic-Referred Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria]", ''The Journal of Sexual Medicine'' (2015) 11(3)</ref><ref>Matthew C. Leinung & Jalaja Joseph, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7906237/ Changing Demographics in Transgender Individuals Seeking Hormonal Therapy: Are Trans Women More Common Than Trans Men?]", ''Transgender Health'' (2020) 5(4)</ref><ref>Ian T. Nolan, Christopher J. Kuhner, & Geolani W. Dym, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6626314/ Demographic and temporal trends in transgender identities and gender confirming surgery], ''Transnational Andrology and Urology'' (2019) 8(3)</ref> Studies have also found that trans and gender-variant people are more likely to be autistic.<ref>John F. Strang ''et al.'', [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-014-0285-3 Increased Gender Variance in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder], ''Archives of Sexual Behavior'' 43 (2014)</ref><ref>Varun Warrier ''et al.'', [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32770077/ Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals], ''Nature Communications'' (2020) 11(1)</ref>{{efn|Although for the record, autism is also associated with more non-heterosexuality.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bertelli |first1=Marco O. |title=Autism Spectrum Disorder |date=2022 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4mtvEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA391 |work=Textbook of Psychiatry for Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder |pages=391 |editor-last=Bertelli |editor-first=Marco O. |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-95720-3_16 |isbn=978-3-319-95720-3 |quote=Persons with [autism spectrum disorder] and/or other neurodevelopmental problems are more likely than the general population to have transgender identity, non-heterosexual sexual orientation, and other gender non-conformities. |access-date=2022-06-08 |last2=Azeem |first2=Muhammad Waqar |last3=Underwood |first3=Lisa |last4=Scattoni |first4=Maria Luisa |last5=Persico |first5=Antonio M. |last6=Ricciardello |first6=Arianna |last7=Sappok |first7=Tanja |last8=Bergmann |first8=Thomas |last9=Keller |first9=Roberto |editor2-last=Deb |editor2-first=Shoumitro (Shoumi) |editor3-last=Munir |editor3-first=Kerim |editor4-last=Hassiotis |editor4-first=Angela}}</ref><ref name="LancetCommission">{{oa}} {{Cite journal |last1=Lord |first1=Catherine |last2=Charman |first2=Tony |last3=Havdahl |first3=Alexandra |last4=Carbone |first4=Paul |last5=Anagnostou |first5=Evdokia |last6=Boyd |first6=Brian |last7=Carr |first7=Themba |last8=de Vries |first8=Petrus J |last9=Dissanayake |first9=Cheryl |last10=Divan |first10=Gauri |last11=Freitag |first11=Christine M |display-authors=10 |date=January 2022 |title=The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism |url=https://fhi.brage.unit.no/fhi-xmlui/bitstream/handle/11250/2975811/Lancet+Commission.pdf?sequence=1 |journal=The Lancet |volume=399 |issue=10321 |pages=299 |doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01541-5 |pmid=34883054 |hdl=11250/2975811 |s2cid=244917920 |issn=0140-6736 |quote=Gender non-conformity, or gender variance, including transgender identity and non-heterosexual sexual orientation, is more common in autistic individuals (and those with other neurodevelopmental conditions) than in the general population. This difference might be part of a different concept of self, less reliance on or reference to social norms, or part of a neurodiverse lived experience of (and outlook on) the world. |via=[[Norwegian Institute of Public Health]]}}</ref><ref name="PediatricsLGBTAutism"> {{oa}} {{Cite journal |last1=Graham Holmes |first1=Laura |last2=Ames |first2=Jennifer L. |last3=Massolo |first3=Maria L. |last4=Nunez |first4=Denise M. |last5=Croen |first5=Lisa A. |date=2022-04-01 |title=Improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Health Care of Autistic People |url=https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/Supplement%204/e2020049437J/185641/Improving-the-Sexual-and-Reproductive-Health-and |journal=Pediatrics |publisher=American Academy of Pediatrics |volume=149 |issue=Supplement 4 |pages=e2020049437J |doi=10.1542/peds.2020-049437J |pmid=35363286 |issn=0031-4005 |quote=A substantial proportion of autistic adolescents and adults are LGBTQIA+. Autistic people are more likely to be transgender or gender nonconforming compared with non-autistic people, and findings from a recent autism registry study suggest that among autistic people able to self-report on a survey, up to 18% of men and 43% of women may be sexual minorities. |doi-access=free}}</ref> Considering J.K. Rowling claims to advocate for gay people, this line of logic is perhaps reckless in that regard. Imagine how it could be argued by homophobes in much the same way that gay autistic people were supposedly confused or tricked by gay activists.}} The problem is that Rowling has taken evidence-supported claims and [[confirmation bias|twisted them to fit the preconceived conclusion]] that [[Abigail Shrier#Irreversible Damage|vulnerable "girls" are being hoodwinked]] into thinking they're boys by [[Littman 2018 ROGD study|social pressure]] or [[gender ideology|Big Gender]].<ref name="Juno">Cripple Media: [https://cripplemedia.com/jk-rowling-autism-and-getting-to-pick-your-gender/ JK Rowling, Autism, and Getting to 'Pick Your Gender']</ref> Evan Urquhart of ''Salon'' has linked the upward trend in transmasculine transitions to increased public awareness, as the few media reports of "successfully transitioned trans people" in past decades were "almost universally trans women, not trans men."<ref name="Salon">Salon: [https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/09/trans-youth-clinics-are-seeing-more-trans-boys-than-before-why.html Why Are Trans Youth Clinics Seeing an Uptick in Trans Boys?]</ref> He has also pointed to the early history of gender-related therapy primarily seeking to "[[conversion therapy|cure homosexuality]] and effeminacy in boys" due to to the greater social stigma attached to gender non-conformity in male-assigned children.<ref name="Salon" /> Meanwhile, various explanations have been proposed for the increased prevalence of gender variance in autistics, including prenatal hormone exposure, fixation on special interests, and rejection of social norms.<ref>Spectrum News: [https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/living-between-genders/ Living between genders]</ref><ref name="Atlantic">The Atlantic: [https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/11/the-link-between-autism-and-trans-identity/507509/ The Link Between Autism and Trans Identity]</ref> Bryony White of ''The Atlantic'' has cautioned against [[Correlation does not imply causation|conflating correlation with causation]] by presuming that the "need to transition is a ''result'' of [autistic trans youth's] autism."<ref name="Atlantic" /> Autistic self-advocates have highlighted how objections to autistic youth transitioning are rooted in [[ableism|ableist]] attitudes and ideas.<ref>The Age of Autism: [https://the-art-of-autism.com/an-autistics-response-to-j-k-rowlings-transphobic-tweets/ An Autistic's Response To J.K. Rowling's Transphobic Tweets]</ref><ref>Thinking Persons Guide to Autism: [https://thinkingautismguide.com/2020/06/autistic-trans-and-betrayed-by-jk-rowling.html Autistic, Trans, and Betrayed By J.K. Rowling]</ref><ref name="Juno" /> A writer for disability-rights blog ''Cripple Media'' cited it as an example of autistics being "talked over, [[gaslighting|gaslit]], and denied [their] right to self-determine," a product of the belief that they are "children who need to be looked after at all times, not adults and adolescences{{sic}} who get to make choices about [their] own lives."<ref name="Juno" /> Rowling implicitly endorsed such thinking by approvingly tweeting [[concern trolling|an anonymous TERF's fear]] that defining gender by "an internal sense of identity" would make it impossible to ascertain in people with "certain mental handicaps or learning disabilities" or those "unable to develop language skills or [...] communicate at all".<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220313092936/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1502688881782702086</ref> She did it more explicitly with a April 2022 praising David Bell for his "deep concern at high numbers of autistic children [...] presenting at gender clinics."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220709074622/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1510254904174067716</ref> The supposed impressionability of autistic people figures in the plot of two ''[[#Cormoran Strike|Cormoran Strike]]'' books.<ref name="Hendley">Alicia Hendley: [https://aliciahendley.medium.com/jk-rowling-the-ink-black-heart-and-the-problem-of-misplaced-authority-5cf6a2ab5210 JK Rowling, The Ink Black Heart, and the problem of misplaced authority]</ref><ref name="Gibbs">https://web.archive.org/web/20220901085758/https://twitter.com/sara_rose_g/status/1565261159846055937</ref><ref name="RunningGrave">Maggie Baska (September 28, 2023). [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/09/28/jk-rowling-cormoran-strike-the-running-grave-review-lgbtq-trans/ "We asked a non-binary person to review the new JK Rowling book. They had a lot to say"]. ''PinkNews''.</ref> In ''The Ink Black Heart'', a "profoundly autistic" teen girl is lured into joining a [[terrorist|terrorist]] group after being "convinced she'd found real friends online," while in ''The Running Grave'' a man tries to free his adult autistic son from a [[Scientology]]-like [[cult]] that serves as a [[TERF glossary#Trans_cult|thinly-veiled anti-trans metaphor]].<ref name="Hendley" /><ref name="Gibbs" /><ref name="RunningGrave" /> Ableism and transphobia don't just contribute to social stigma, but can adversely impact health, freedom, and equality. Autistic trans people have reported having their access to gender-affirming care blocked or delayed by clinicians.<ref name="Atlantic" /> Several U.S. states restricted or banned gender-affirming care for people with autism, [[ADHD]], and other psychological conditions in 2023.<ref>The 19th: [https://19thnews.org/2023/05/trans-laws-autistic-youth-mental-health/ Anti-trans laws are targeting autistic youth and those with mental health conditions]</ref> A man in the UK sued the NHS to try to prevent his 21-year-old autistic daughter from undergoing gender-confirmation surgery in June 2023.<ref>The Telegraph: [https://archive.is/hzduJ 'Heartbroken' father sues NHS to stop autistic son's sex change]</ref> On June 22, 2023, Rowling shared a tweet by far-right activist [[Christopher Rufo|Christopher F. Rufo]] making the pseudoscientific claim that puberty blockers "shut down a child's [[brain|hypothalamus]]."<ref>Twitter: https://web.archive.org/web/20230626120101/https://twitter.com/BadWritingTakes/status/1673007258844667904</ref> The tweet linked to Rufo's interview of an anonymous doctor in the [[Manhattan Institute]] quarterly ''City Journal'', who claimed that this imaginary side effect means "shut[ting] down what makes us human" since the hypothalamus contains a "[[Gnosticism|divine spark]]," and is the "system" that allows people to "[[argument from beauty|stand in awe of the beauty of a sunset]]" and be moved by [[music]].<ref>City Journal: [https://www.city-journal.org/article/transgender-ideology-and-the-corruption-of-medicine Thrown to the Wolves]</ref> Rowling uncritically tweeted this metaphysical horseshit despite railing against [[gender identity]] as an "[[falsifiability|unfalsifiable]] concept" involving "[[soul|unprovable essences]]" on June 21.<ref>Yahoo! Life: [https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/cisgender-meaning-elon-musk-jk-rowling-132431448.html 'Cisgender' meaning as Elon Musk brands term a ‘slur’ and JK Rowling voices her view]</ref> The nonsense Rowling picked up from Rufo may have emerged from a conflation of the amygdala theory of autism with more recent research linking autism to structural variations in the hypothalamus.<ref>Spectrum News: "[https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/molecular-mechanisms-autism-linked-to-small-hypothalamus Molecular mechanisms: Autism linked to small hypothalamus]"</ref><ref name="Rizzo">Elisabetta Angela Rizzo and Tina Röck, "[https://journals.openedition.org/phenomenology/298 Autistics as empathic subjects: Phenomenology and Intense World Theory]", ''Phenomenology and Mind'' (2021) 21</ref> The amygdala theory posits that there is "an abnormality in [the] autistic amygdala" that is correlated with a "diminished ability for social interaction, [and] intersubjective capacity and empathy."<ref name="Rizzo" /> This theory is tied to the Baron-Cohenian model (no, not Borat, but his uncle {{w|Simon Baron-Cohen|Simon}}) of autism as an innate inability to recognize that other people have their own thoughts and feelings (a concept known as "{{w|theory of mind||"}}).<ref name="Rizzo" /> As such, it is regarded by many autistic people as outdated, or rejected in favor of alternate models.<ref name="Rizzo" /> In short, Rowling has signed up for [[vaccine hysteria]] round two, except this time puberty blockers are the jab supposedly making kids autistic. ===Stigmatisation of disability and mental health=== In July 2020, Rowling liked a tweet by the [[transmedicalism|transmedicalist]] @Manaxium characterising [[hormone replacement therapy]] as "the new [[antidepressants]]", something @Manaxium saw as emblematic of the "pure laziness" of people who "would rather medicate than put in the time and effort to heal people's mind.{{sic}}"<ref name="SophieXY44">https://web.archive.org/web/20200704212716/https://twitter.com/TrinerScot/status/1279501444496986113</ref><ref name="Global">Global News: [https://globalnews.ca/news/7142429/j-k-rowling-tweets-hormone-conversion-therapy-backlash/ J.K. Rowling under fire for describing hormone therapy as 'conversion therapy for young gay people']</ref><ref name="NBCNews2">NBC News: [https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/j-k-rowling-warns-against-new-kind-conversion-therapy-n1232958 J.K. Rowling calls gender transitioning 'a new kind of conversion therapy']</ref> This prompted another Twitter user to wonder if anyone had foreseen Rowling one day "pivoting to supporting those who call people who take mental health medication 'lazy'."<ref name="SophieXY44" /><ref name="Global" /><ref name="NBCNews2" /> Rowling quoted-tweeted this user with an 11-part response accusing them of "[lying] about what I believe about mental health medication" and "misrepresent[ing] the views of a [[one of the good ones|trans woman for whom I feel nothing but admiration and solidarity]]."<ref name="Global" /><ref name="NBCNews2" /><ref name="LongThread">https://web.archive.org/web/20220604183102/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1279755418621878272?lang=en</ref> Rowling underscored her own "mental health challenges, which include OCD, depression and anxiety," stating that she had "taken anti-depressants in the past" and found them helpful.<ref name="LongThread" /> She claimed that, like the "many health professionals" she couldn't name, she was merely concerned that struggling youngsters were "being shunted towards hormones and surgery" by Big Trans.<ref name="Global" /><ref name="NBCNews2" /><ref name="LongThread" /> On March 6, 2022, [[genderqueer]] trans-inclusive [[feminist]] writer {{w|Laurie Penny}} posted a Twitter thread revealing they had suffered a breakdown after "twelve years of relentless trolling."<ref name="Penny">https://web.archive.org/web/20220307220123/https://twitter.com/BadWritingTakes/status/1500954723968499716</ref> In this thread, Penny mentioned that they had been diagnosed with [[PTSD|CPTSD]] and highlighted nasty reviews of their recent book by ''The Times'', ''[[The Observer]]'', and ''[[The Critic]]''.<ref name="Penny" /> The following day, [[Julie Bindel]], author of the ''Critic'' piece, put out a tweet claiming that Penny was alleging the reviews "caused her complex PTSD."<ref name="Penny" /> Shortly thereafter, Bindel mockingly tweeted that she had "[[self-diagnosis|diagnosed [herself]]] with Complex PTSD" after a man "opened a packet of Cheesy Wotsits" on the train, prompting a reply of "thoughts and prayers, Julie" from Rowling.<ref name="Penny" /><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220819041708/https://twitter.com/bindelj/status/1500799081190498304</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220307143059/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1500841347015663619</ref> In response, Penny reminded Bindel that she knew "full well that these reviews didn't *cause* the CPTSD [they] experience," as they had personally disclosed the sources of their trauma to Bindel "back when [the pair] were trying to build bridges."<ref name="Penny" /> Penny's reply to Rowling was gentler, pointing out that it was their "mental health history" Bindel was mocking in the tweet "along with everyone else who has experienced CPTSD," and hoping that the author didn't think it was acceptable to "shame" people in this manner.<ref name="Penny" /> Rowling came under fire for her portrayal of chronic illness and the [[disabled]] community in her 2022 Cormoran Strike novel ''The Ink Black Heart''.<ref name="ASpiralDance">A Spiral Dance: [https://www.aspiraldance.com/the-online-spoonie-community-is-valid-and-important/ The Online Spoonie Community is Valid and Important]</ref><ref name="Gretchen">Gretchen Felker-Martin: [https://www.patreon.com/posts/in-flesh-ink-72203043 In the Flesh - The Ink Black Heart]</ref><ref name="Lucien">The Once and Future Cripple: [https://www.theonceandfuturecripple.com/en/rowlings-new-book-is-ableist-and-so-was-harry-potter/ Rowling’s new book is ableist and so was Harry Potter]</ref><ref name="Hendley" /> The book features a description of the [[Tumblr]] bio of "disabled artist" character Kea Niven: "CF – [[fibromyalgia]] - POTs – allodynia – I need more {{w|spoon theory|spoons|."}}<ref name="ASpiralDance" /> ''A Spiral Dance'', a disability-focused blog, held that Rowling "couldn't even get the details of chronic illnesses correct," citing her incorrect rendering of "{{w|POTS||"}} and use of the non-standard acronym "CF" to mean [[chronic fatigue syndrome]].<ref name="ASpiralDance" /> Author Gretchen Felker-Martin wrote that Rowling is "deeply mean-spirited when it comes to anyone non-normative, especially the fat and the disabled," finding ''The Ink Black Heart'' to be "particularly savage" in its "[[ableism|bottomless contempt]] for 'spoonies' and other disabled communities."<ref name="Gretchen" /> She contrasted the sympathetic portrayal of "brusque, manly Strike, whose disability is the result of a war wound" with the portrayal of chronically-ill characters as "[[faking disability|malingerers, abusers, and emotional manipulators]]."<ref name="Gretchen" /> Kristina Lucien of the blog ''The Once and Future Cripple'' echoed this view, commenting that it is "made clear to the readers that [Kea] is the wrong kind of disabled" as "she claims her identity openly," in comparison to amputee Strike trying to minimise his disability by declining to use a cane despite his pain.<ref name="Lucien" /> Psychologist Alicia Hendley declared the book to be "threaded throughout" with "dismissal and lazy stereotyping" of people with invisible illnesses.<ref name="Hendley" /> In Hendley's view, Rowling distinguishes "[[gatekeeping|people who have valid, visible, 'real' illness/disabilities]]" and want to to "[[Rugged individualism|'get on with it']], [[Wanting it bad enough|to live their lives 'despite' their difficulties]], [[Just world hypothesis|to even excel]]" from the spoonie who "not only wallows, but defines themselves by (and perhaps even revels in) being ill."<ref name="Hendley" /> ==Statements on sexual assault and abuse== ===Rowling's own experiences=== Rowling experienced [[domestic violence]] during her "short and catastrophic" marriage to [[Portugal|Portuguese]] journalist Jorge Arantes in the early 1990s.<ref name="terfmanifesto" /><ref>Oprah.com: [https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/the-brilliant-mind-behind-harry-potter/all The Brilliant Mind Behind Harry Potter]</ref><ref name="manuscript">The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/feb/22/jk-rowling-reveals-abuse-in-past-relationship JK Rowling tells of fear former husband would burn Harry Potter manuscript]</ref> By Rowling's account, Arantes was "very violent and very controlling" as a partner, denying her a housekey so he could have "control of the front door."<ref name="manuscript" /><ref name="arantes1">The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jk-rowling-first-husband-domestic-violence-b2286439.html JK Rowling describes 'violence' in first marriage]"</ref> At one point, Arantes allegedly took the manuscript of the first ''Harry Potter'' novel and hid it as "his hostage," forcing Rowling to sneak "a few pages" into work "every day" to photocopy.<ref name="manuscript" /> Rowling gradually assembled a copy of the manuscript and kept it in a staffroom cupboard.<ref name="manuscript" /> She feared Arantes would seize or destroy the original if she "wasn't able to get out [of the marriage] with everything."<ref name="manuscript" /> Arantes has admitted that he slapped Rowling on the night she fled in 1993 but denies having committed "sustained abuse."<ref>The Sun: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200612025219/https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11842719/jk-rowling-ex-husband-abuse-claims/ JK Rowling's abusive first husband admits he slapped her but says 'I'm not sorry']</ref> ''[[The Sun]]'' (who else?) interviewed Arantes in June 2020 and published his claims with the lurid headline "I slapped JK and I'm not sorry."<ref name="arantes2">BBC News: [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53023543 JK Rowling: Sun newspaper criticised by abuse charities for article on ex-husband]</ref><ref name="arantes3">CBC News: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/sun-newspaper-rowling-1.5610107 Sun newspaper says J.K. Rowling article did not glorify domestic abuse]</ref> This article was widely condemned by the press and abuse survivor advocates.<ref name="arantes2" /><ref name="arantes3" /> In her 2020 [[#2020-2021: TERF manifesto and Twitter punditry|TERF manifesto]], Rowling revealed that she was the victim of a "serious sexual assault" sometime in her twenties, describing it as occurring "at a time and in a space where I was vulnerable" and involving a "man [who] capitalised on an opportunity."<ref name="terfmanifesto" /> Rowling wrote that her memories of this event spurred her to oppose Gender Recognition Act reform in [[Scotland]], declaring it would inevitably "[[Transphobia and public restrooms|throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms]]" to sexual predators.<ref name="terfmanifesto" /> She cited her personal history as a motivation for funding the establishment of a private "support centre for female victims of sexual violence" in Edinburgh in December 2022.<ref>The Guardian: [https://web.archive.org/web/20221213021748/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/12/jk-rowling-launches-support-centre-for-female-victims-of-sexual-violence JK Rowling launches support centre for female victims of sexual violence]"</ref><ref>The Times: [https://archive.is/85ASU JK Rowling launches service for women victims of sexual violence before Scotland brings in self-ID law]"</ref> This service – named Beira's Place after the "Scottish goddess of winter" – is frequently lauded as a "women's shelter," "rape crisis centre," and "refuge" by Rowling's supporters, but reading the website makes it clear it doesn't offer shelter space or crisis support.<ref name="beira1">Beira's Place: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240104165443/https://beirasplace.org.uk/about/ About Us]</ref><ref name="beira2">Beira's Place: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240104165443/https://beirasplace.org.uk/faqs/ FAQs]</ref> It provides one-on-one and group counselling by appointment only.<ref name="beira2" /> The centre is not wheelchair accessible and clients are advised not to bring children.<ref name="beira2" /> Board member Rhona Hotchkiss served as governor of the {{wpl|Cornton Vale}} women's [[prison]] until 2019.<ref>NHS Scotland Events: [https://web.archive.org/web/20210410132833/https://nhsscotlandevents.com/speaker/rhona-hotchkiss Rhona Hotchkiss]</ref> In 2016, it was reported that inmates faced "Victorian conditions" and long queues for access to a shared toilet, with some being instructed by staff to "pee in the sink" if they couldn't wait.<ref>BBC News: [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-35589196 Cornton Vale prisoners 'forced to use sink as a toilet']</ref><ref>Holyrood: [https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,cornton-vale-toilet-conditions-wholly-unacceptable-in-the-21st-century-warns-chief-prisons-inspector_6499.htm Cornton Vale toilet conditions 'wholly unacceptable in the 21st century', warns chief prisons inspector]</ref> Hotchkiss asserted in 2022 that she would've resigned if she'd still been governor during the {{wpl|Isla Bryson case||.}}<ref>The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230126185818/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/26/former-prisoner-governor-says-would-have-quit-trans-rapist/ Former prisoner governor says she would have quit over trans rapist]</ref><ref>Daily Mail: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230126091050/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11678509/Ex-governor-Scottish-womens-prison-quit-Isla-Bryson.html Ex-governor of Scottish women's prison 'would have quit' if she'd been told to house transgender rapist with female inmates]</ref> ===Johnny Depp and other accused=== In November 2016, only a few weeks before the release of the first film in the ''Fantastic Beasts'' franchise, it was revealed that {{wpl|Johnny Depp}} had a cameo as Gellert Grindelwald and was slated to return in the sequels.<ref>USA Today: [https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/11/01/johnny-depp-fantastic-beasts-surprise-role/93143002/ Shocker! Johnny Depp is in 'Fantastic Beasts']</ref><ref>Digital Trends: [https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/johnny-depp-fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-2-cast/ Johnny Depp will play a pivotal character in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ sequel]</ref> Rumour has it that Depp sought to play the character in the first ''Deathly Hallows'' movie back in 2008.<ref>Hypable: [https://www.hypable.com/johnny-depp-grindelwald-harry-potter-fantastic-beasts/ Report: Johnny Depp almost played Grindelwald in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows']</ref> His casting sparked outcry from ''Potter'' fans due to allegations of abuse made earlier in 2016 by Depp's then-wife Amber Heard.<ref>Stuff.co.nz: [https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/86043237/backlash-from-harry-potter-fans-after-johnny-depp-cast-in-fantastic-beasts Backlash from Harry Potter fans after Johnny Depp cast in Fantastic Beasts]</ref> Rowling issued a statement in December telling fans that she understood why they were "confused and angry," but that she and the filmmakers were "not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies" based on their "understanding of the circumstances" of Depp and Heard's marriage.<ref name="deppstatement">J. K. Rowling: [https://web.archive.org/web/20180113114758/https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/grindelwald-casting/ Grindelwald casting]</ref> Rowling added that "conscience isn't governable by committee."<ref name="deppstatement" /> Rowling is reportedly a long-time friend of Depp, buying his £22 million yacht in early 2016.<ref>The Scotsman: [https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/jk-rowling-spends-aps22-million-on-luxury-yacht-1485867 JK Rowling spends £22 million on luxury yacht]</ref><ref>The Times: [https://archive.is/FuKIw JK Rowling lands £22m Depp yacht]</ref> Depp was dropped from the ''Fantastic Beasts'' franchise in 2020 after losing a libel case against ''[[The Sun]]'' for a headline calling him a "wife beater."<ref>Variety: [https://variety.com/2020/film/news/johnny-depp-fantastic-beasts-warner-bros-1234826539/ Johnny Depp: Why Warner Bros. Finally Cut Ties With the 'Fantastic Beasts' Star]</ref> Depp won a subsequent defamation suit against Heard in 2022 over an op-ed she wrote for the ''[[Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' in 2018.<ref>Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/celebrity/johnny-depp-v-amber-heard-verdict/ Johnny Depp wins defamation trial against Amber Heard, jury awards him $15 million in damages]</ref> In this piece, Heard described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse," but did not specifically name Depp.<ref>Washington Post: [https://archive.is/mWa7d I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change.]</ref> Some have speculated that Depp's legal team pushed for the case to be heard in [[Virginia]] over the couple's home state of [[California]] due to Virginia's "far weaker" anti-[[SLAPP suit|SLAPP]] laws.<ref>Vulture: [https://www.vulture.com/2022/04/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-lawsuit-virginia.html Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Defamation Trial, Explained]</ref><ref>Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting: [https://fair.org/home/depp-heard-verdict-a-loss-for-violence-survivors-and-a-free-press/ Depp/Heard Verdict a Loss for Violence Survivors—and a Free Press]</ref> Rowling sent a bouquet of roses to Depp's close friend [[Marilyn Manson]] in January 2020.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20200209142625/https://twitter.com/marilynmanson/status/1223133969232752641</ref> In 2021, actress Evan Rachel Wood identified Manson as the ex-partner who had sexually assaulted and tortured her, prompting several other women to come forward with similar allegations about Manson.<ref>BBC News: [https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43226367 Evan Rachel Wood: Actress tells Congress about sexual abuse]</ref><ref>Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/02/he-horrifically-abused-me-for-years-evan-rachel-wood-and-other-women-make-allegations-of-abuse-against-marilyn-manson He "Horrifically Abused Me for Years": Evan Rachel Wood and Other Women Make Allegations of Abuse Against Marilyn Manson]</ref> Depp stans paid to have the ''Depp v. Heard'' court records unsealed in the hope of unearthing dirt on Heard.<ref>Rolling Stone: [https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-backfire-1391807/ Johnny Depp Stans Rushed to Fork Over Cash for Unsealed Court Docs. Did It Backfire?]</ref> They instead revealed a trove of unsavoury and embarrassing things about Depp. This included the transcript of a "troubling" 2016 text conversation in which Manson tried to set Depp up with an 18-year-old girl.<ref>Popculture.com: [https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/johnny-depp-marilyn-manson-text-messages-revealed-unsealed-court-documents-amber-heard/ Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson's Troubling Text Messages Surface in Unsealed Court Documents]</ref><ref>Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/celebrity/johnny-depp-amber-heard-court-docs-unsealed/ Biggest bombshells in unsealed Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard court docs: Erectile dysfunction, nude photos, and Marilyn Manson]</ref> Rowling personally thanked voice actor {{wpl|Greg Ellis}} for his work on the 2023 video game ''Hogwarts Legacy''.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230212010833/https://twitter.com/EliErlick/status/1624481026163499009</ref><ref name="btm1">BehindTheMagic.com: [https://insidethemagic.net/2023/02/rowling-under-fire-hogwarts-legacy-greg-ellis-jc1/ J.K. Rowling Under Fire For Publicly Thanking, Hiring "Canceled" Actor Accused of Domestic Violence]</ref> Ellis is a hardline [[MRA]] with his own history of domestic abuse allegations.<ref name="btm1" /><ref name="geekbuzz">GeekBuzz: [https://thegeekbuzz.com/the-basement/legal-filings-debunk-the-respondent-greg-ellis-belittling-proclamation-against-family-court/ Legal Filings Debunk the ‘Respondent’ Greg Ellis’ Belittling Proclamation Against Family Court]</ref> In 2015, Ellis' then-wife successfully filed for a restraining order against him, stating that he had threatened their children.<ref name="btm1" /><ref name="geekbuzz" /> Another former partner of Ellis obtained a three-year protection order in 2023 in a case involving an allegation of revenge porn.<ref>[https://archive.ph/qell7 Tweet] featuring redacted court document</ref> Ellis is reportedly a long-time friend of Depp.<ref name="ellisdepp1">OK Magazine: [https://okmagazine.com/p/johnny-depp-responsibility-trial-greg-ellis/ Actor Greg Ellis Says Pal Johnny Depp 'Took Responsibility For His Faults' During Trial: 'He's Never Said He's Perfect']</ref><ref name="ellisdepp2">New York Post: [https://nypost.com/2022/07/05/johnny-depp-is-happy-to-get-his-life-back-after-trial-says-longtime-friend/ Johnny Depp is ‘happy to get his life back’ after trial, says longtime friend]</ref> Ellis supposedly met Depp at his infamous Los Angeles bar {{w|The Viper Room}} in the 1980s and worked with him on the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' franchise.<ref name="ellisdepp2" /> Ellis has been one of Depp's fiercest defenders on social media.<ref>Movieweb: [https://movieweb.com/greg-ellis-johnny-depp-support/ Pirates of the Caribbean Star Greg Ellis Supports Johnny Depp, Blasts 'False Allegations']</ref> Depp wasn't the only ''Fantastic Beasts'' cast member to generate worrying headlines. Video emerged in 2020 of {{wpl|Ezra Miller}} physically assaulting a woman at a Reykjavík bar.<ref name="ezra1">Variety: [https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ezra-miller-throttling-woman-video-1234571800/ Ezra Miller Appears to Choke Woman in Video]</ref><ref name="ezra2">Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/inside-ezra-millers-dark-spiral-messiah-delusions Ezra Miller's "Messiah" Delusions: Inside ''The Flash'' Star's Dark Spiral]</ref> Since 2022, they have incurred multiple arrests, citations, and restraining orders for a slew of alleged crimes including assault, burglary, and grooming minors.<ref name="ezra2" /><ref name="ezra3">NBC News: [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/actor-ezra-miller-hit-temporary-protection-order-massachussetts-rcna34177 Massachusetts court grants temporary protection order against actor Ezra Miller]</ref><ref name="ezra4">The Daily Beast: [https://www.thedailybeast.com/12-year-old-granted-order-of-protection-against-ezra-miller 12-Year-Old Granted Order of Protection Against Ezra Miller]</ref> Scottish actor Kevin Guthrie was sentenced to three years in prison for sexual assault in 2021.<ref>[https://people.com/movies/fantastic-beasts-actor-kevin-guthrie-sentenced-to-3-years-in-jail-for-sexual-assault/ 'Fantastic Beasts' Actor Kevin Guthrie Sentenced to 3 Years in Jail for Sexual Assault]</ref> Rowling has not publicly commented on either case to date. ==Cormoran Strike series== Since finishing the ''Harry Potter'' series, Rowling has focused on a new series, adult detective novels featuring ex-military policeman Cormoran Strike and his female assistant Robin Ellacott. These are published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Some have also been adapted for television by the [[BBC]] and HBO.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/strike-troubled-blood Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger return in Strike - Troubled Blood], BBC press release, 2022</ref> In the beginning, it wasn't known that Galbraith was Rowling. But then the first book, ''The Cuckoo's Calling'' (2013), was rejected by some publishing firms and sold just 1,500 copies once it did find a publisher. Her [[lawyer]] then proceeded to leak the fact that the novel was authored by Rowling to his "wife's best friend". The sales for the book then skyrocketed after ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' reported it.<ref>James Meikle (July 18, 2013). [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/18/jk-rowling-anger-lawyers-secret-identity "JK Rowling directs anger at lawyers after secret identity revealed"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''.</ref><ref> Adam Taylor (July 15, 2013). [https://www.businessinsider.com/the-cuckoos-calling-reveals-a-lot-about-publishing-2013-7 "Every Aspiring Author Should Be Depressed By J.K. Rowling's Pseudonymous Publishing Stunt"]. ''Business Insider''.</ref> It is completely impossible that this "leak" was actually staged as a financial decision. Initially, the books seemed unexceptional genre works, but that changed when Rowling started to inject her increasingly strange beliefs about trans people and other issues. At first it was subtle; book two, ''The Silkworm'' (2014), features two trans characters who are portrayed in a relatively sympathetic fashion, although Strike is rude to them and threatens one with prison [[rape]].<ref name=gradyvox/> Book three, ''Career of Evil'' (2015), is about an online community of people who wish to be disabled and have limbs amputated to meet their desire. {{wpl|Body integrity dysphoria}} is a real condition, but to some people, it felt like Rowling was using these people who wished to be disabled as a way to attack or mock trans people, whom she viewed as similarly deluded.<ref name=gradyvox/> ''Lethal White'' (2018), book four in the series, features a pair of far-left villains who hate [[Israel]] so much that they became antisemitic.<ref name="JTAIsrael"/> (See: [[J.K. Rowling#Other political views|J. K. Rowling § Other political views]].) Controversy increased with book five: ''Troubled Blood'' (2020) features a killer who disguises himself as a woman. Naturally, this was read in the light of Rowling's hostility to trans people and belief that trans women are all men dressing as women to attack cis women. It also contains a lot of criticism of 21<sup>st</sup> century [[feminism]] for being [[sex-positivity|sex-positive]], pro-[[porn]], holding [[SlutWalk]]s to oppose slut shaming, etc.<ref name=gradyvox>[https://www.vox.com/culture/21449215/troubled-blood-review-jk-rowling-transphobia-controversy J.K. Rowling’s transphobic new novel sees her at the mercy of all her worst impulses], Constance Grady, ''Vox'', September 3, 2020</ref> This was followed by book six, ''Ink Black Heart'' (2022), which is about a cartoonist who is [[Doxxing|doxxed]] and ultimately [[murder]]ed after antagonising [[woke]] online [[troll]]s with remarks about a [[hermaphrodite]] worm that are considered transphobic. Rowling insists any resemblance to her life is coincidental; most people don't believe her (not even ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'').<ref>Cheyenne Roundtree (August 29, 2022). [https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/j-k-rowlings-latest-book-ink-black-heart-transphobic-views-1234582911/ "J.K. Rowling's New Book Just So Happens to Feature a Character Persecuted Over Transphobia"]. ''Rolling Stone''.</ref><ref>Mey Rude (August 30, 2022). [https://www.out.com/books/2022/8/30/jk-rowlings-new-book-about-creator-doxxed-over-transphobia "J.K. Rowling's New Book Is About a Creator Doxxed Over Transphobia"]. ''Out''.</ref> In the seventh book, ''The Running Grave'' (2023), the apparent connection between Rowling's real-world views and this fictional storyline is built upon further. Some drew parallels between the abusive [[cult]] present in the seventh installment and the way Rowling views her political opponents. The cult is described as (aside from the abusive behavior typical of any real-world cult) expressing positions in favor of various [[social justice]] causes. A typical profile of a cult recruit is described as someone with dyed-blue hair. They are also said to predate on [[Autism|autistic]] people and [[Lesbianism|lesbians]], and one of its fictional critics is a "patron of several charities" with a "reputation for intelligence and integrity". Nothing terribly subtle here.<ref name="RunningGrave" /> ===About that pen name...=== There is also a curious coincidence that the pseudonym Robert Galbraith is very similar to the name of {{wpl|Robert Galbraith Heath||,}} a controversial psychiatrist. He experimented on black people; Harry Bailey, a research partner of his, stated that the two experimented on black people because it was "cheaper to use [[nigger]]s than cats because they were everywhere", though Heath later denied knowing Bailey.<ref>Slattery, J.P. (1990). "Report of the Royal Commission into Deep Sleep Therapy". ''New South Wales Parliamentary Paper''. 304/1990-1991. {{Isbn|0724087664}}.</ref><ref>Deborah Cameron (October 8, 1988). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-mkultra-austra/7536346/ "The CIA link to deep-sleep research"] (page 11). ''The Sydney Morning Herald''.</ref><ref>Carl Bernofsky. [http://www.tulanelink.com/tulanelink/twoviews_04a.htm "Changing People's Minds, Tulane Style: A Tale From Two Perspectives"]. ''TulaneLink''.</ref> He also experimented on the mentally ill and pioneered [[conversion therapy]] for gay men, including the use of electric shocks. Rowling's spokesperson said she was unaware of the existence of Heath when she chose the pseudonym and that she had long been fond of the name "Galbraith". The spokesperson also pointed to Rowling's original explanation for the pseudonym's origin in 2013.<ref name="NolanGalbraith">Emma Nolan (September 16, 2020). [https://www.newsweek.com/why-jk-rowling-robert-galbraith-pseudonym-gay-conversion-robert-galbraith-heath-1532341 "Why J.K. Rowling's 'Robert Galbraith' Pseudonym is Linked to Harmful Conversion Therapist"]. ''Newsweek''.</ref> She had then stated: "When I was a child, I really wanted to be called 'Ella Galbraith', and I've no idea why. I don't even know how I knew that the surname existed, because I can't remember ever meeting anyone with it." She attributed her choice of "Robert" to her admiration for [[Robert F. Kennedy]].<ref>Liz Bury (July 24, 2013). [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/24/jk-rowling-robert-galbraith-harry-potter "JK Rowling tells story of alter ego Robert Galbraith"]. ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref>Margaret Lyons (July 24, 2013). [https://www.vulture.com/2013/07/jk-rowling-explains-her-pseudonym.html "J.K. Rowling Explains Her Pseudonym"]. ''Vulture''.</ref> Robert Colvile, the author of a 2016 article about Robert Galbraith Heath, claimed Rowling "could not have known about" Heath in 2013 when she chose the name, because it came before his article and "everyone had forgotten" about Heath.<ref name="TERFmerchToF">Arturo Garcia (September 24, 2020). [https://www.truthorfiction.com/jk-rowling-terf-merch/ "Did J.K. Rowling Promote a Website Selling Transphobic Merchandise?"]. ''Truth or Fiction?''.</ref> In actual fact, Heath's [[Wikipedia]] page was created in 2007, and from the point of creation made reference in-text to his experiments on black people, and view of them as "animals"; a citation referenced one of Heath's conversion therapy experiments in its title.<ref>(February 5, 2007). [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_Galbraith_Heath&oldid=105962033 "Robert Galbraith Heath"] (old revision). ''Wikipedia''.</ref> A winter 2006 article in ''The New Atlantis'' (a conservative journal),<ref>Adam Keiper (Winter 2006). [https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-age-of-neuroelectronics "The Age of Neuroelectronics"]. ''The New Atlantis''.</ref> a September 2008 article in the neuroscience blog ''Mind Hacks'',<ref>Vaughan Bell (September 16, 2008). [https://mindhacks.com/2008/09/16/erotic-self-stimulation-and-brain-implants/ "Erotic self-stimulation and brain implants"]. ''Mind Hacks''.</ref> an October 2010 article in Vice's ''Motherboard'',<ref>Don Caldwell (October 18, 2010). [https://www.vice.com/en/article/ezzvem/wireheading-1950s-wetware-hacking "Wireheading: This Strange Experiment from the 1950s Wired Pleasure Directly Into the Brain"]. ''Motherboard''. Vice.</ref> an April 2012 ''CRC Press'' book,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O6q8SbgeWjwC&q=heath#v=snippet&q=heath&f=false "Neurotechnology: Premises, Potential, and Problems"], p. 151. ''CRC Press''.</ref> and a May 2012 article in ''[[Scientific American]]''<ref>John Horgan (May 14, 2012). [https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/what-are-sciences-ugliest-experiments/ "What Are Science's Ugliest Experiments?"]. ''Cross-Check''. Scientific American.</ref> all discussed Heath's brutal experiments, and half the time named him in full as "Robert Galbraith Heath". To state that she ''could not have known about this guy'' is completely inaccurate, although it is likely to have been an accidental coincidence in any case. Even if she ''did'' know, it's much more likely that she simply didn't care, rather than having had some kind of admiration for Heath. ==Other political views== {{cquote|''Because bigotry is probably the thing I detest most. All forms of intolerance, the whole idea of “that which is different from me is necessary evil.” I really like to explore the idea that difference is equal and good. But there's another idea that I like to explore, too. Oppressed groups are not, generally speaking, people who stand firmly together – no, sadly, they kind of subdivide among themselves and fight like hell. That's human nature, so that's what you see here. This world of wizards and witches, they're already ostracized, and then within themselves, they've formed a loathsome pecking order.''|||JK Rowling explaining why she included themes of bigotry in her books<ref name=jensen>Jeff Jensen, "[https://ew.com/books/2000/08/04/jk-rowling-harry-potter-and-goblet-fire/ J.K. Rowling talks about writing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]", ''Entertainment Weekly'', September 7, 2000</ref>}} In a 2000 interview, Rowling described herself as left-wing.<ref name=jensen /> As early as 2002, Rowling claimed that one of her biggest writing influences had been {{wpl|Jessica Mitford||,}} whom she described as a "self-taught [[socialist]]" (Mitford had also been a member of the [[CPUSA|Communist Party of the United States]] until 1958).<ref> Lindsay Fraser, ''The Scotsman'', November 2002, archived at [http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2002/1102-fraser-scotsman.html Accio Quote!]</ref> She also donated to Labour<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/sep/20/labourconference.jkrowling JK Rowling gives Labour £1m donation], 20 September 2008</ref> and was openly supportive of the [[Welfare policy of the United Kingdom|British welfare state]]<ref>[https://www.taxfairness.ca/en/news/j-k-rowling-paying-taxes-and-welfare-state JK Rowling on paying taxes and the welfare state]</ref> in the late 2000s. In April 2010, she wrote a Single Mother's Manifesto criticising Tory austerity and [[David Cameron]].<ref>[https://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/morleyd/entry/jk_rowling_the/ The Single Mother's Manifesto], originally pushed in The Times</ref> However, she was very critical of [[Jeremy Corbyn]], a remnant of Labour's Old Left,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/31/this-isnt-bloody-funny-jk-rowling-laments-corbyns-strong-position JK Rowling gave "blast of reality" on Jeremy Corbyn]</ref> and mocked his (honestly mediocre and half-assed) stance on [[Brexit]].<ref name=jeremy>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/23/jk-rowling-mocks-jeremy-corbyn-brexit-stance-twitter-thread JK Rowling mocks "Saint Jeremy" over Brexit]. The Guardian, 23 December 2018.</ref> This was driven by fear that it would lead to a repeat of {{wpl|the longest suicide note in history||,}} which resulted in the Tories, under Margaret Thatcher, winning re-election in 1983 and control over national politics until 1997.<ref name=jeremy /><ref>[https://www.vox.com/2016/9/1/12749364/jk-rowling-jeremy-corbyn-twitter-row JK Rowling is in a massive Twitter war about the future of progressive politics in Britain]</ref> Rowling expressed her opposition to [[Scottish National Party|Scottish independence]] at the time of the 2014 independence referendum, donating £1m to the anti-independence group Better Together.<ref>Alexandra Siierlin, [https://time.com/3305015/j-k-rowling-twitter-scotland-independence/ J.K. Rowling Tweets Her Opposition to Scottish Independence], ''Time'', 8 September 2014.</ref><ref name="DeathEaterish>(June 11, 2014). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jk-rowling-calls-scottish-independence-711062/ "J.K. Rowling Calls Scottish Independence Efforts 'Death Eaterish'"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''. The Associated Press.</ref> This didn't endear her to some Scottish Nationalists, and she received online abuse, which caused her to double down in her opposition to independence, accusing Scottish nationalists of bigotry; she also called out the "blood and soil" ethnonationalists [[Siol nan Gaidheal]], who are certainly bigots but whose membership is so small they can hardly be considered representative of anything.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/06/jk-rowling-attacked-for-saying-scottish-nationalism-contains-traces-of-bigotry JK Rowling attacked for saying Scottish nationalism 'contains traces of bigotry'], The Guardian, 6 July 2018</ref> She called the independence movement "Death Eaterish".<ref name="DeathEaterish/> In 2015, she signed a letter stating that "cultural [[boycott]]s singling out Israel are divisive and discriminatory, and will not further peace."<ref name="InsiderIsrael">Megan Willett-Wei (October 27, 2015). [https://www.businessinsider.com/jk-rowlings-harry-potter-essay-on-palestine-and-israel-2015-10 "J.K. Rowling wrote about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict using her 'Harry Potter' characters as examples"]. ''Business Insider''.</ref><ref>(October 22, 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/22/israel-needs-cultural-bridges-not-boycotts-letter-from-jk-rowling-simon-schama-and-others "Letters: Israel needs cultural bridges, not boycotts – letter from JK Rowling, Simon Schama and others"]. ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref>(October 23, 2015). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/jk-rowling-tops-list-of-uk-artists-opposing-israel-boycott/ "J. K. Rowling tops list of UK artists opposing Israel boycott"]. ''The Times of Israel''.</ref> In response to criticism of this, she wrote a bizarre essay which criticized Israel (though particularly [[Netanyahu]]), but also argued young Harry Potter would be upset with her decision not to boycott Israel. Dumbledore and an older Harry Potter would have agreed with her refusal to boycott Israel, she added.<ref>Sam Kriss (November 2, 2015). [https://www.vice.com/en/article/4wb7j3/what-harry-potter-cant-tell-us-about-the-israel-palestine-conflict-830 "JK Rowling's Weird, Nonsensical Claim That Dumbledore Would Have Been Against a Boycott of Israel"]. ''Vice''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20231016171341/https://www.vice.com/en/article/4wb7j3/what-harry-potter-cant-tell-us-about-the-israel-palestine-conflict-830 (Archived version)].</ref><ref name="InsiderIsrael"/><ref>Gita Jackson (October 3, 2018). [https://kotaku.com/j-k-rowling-needs-to-stop-messing-with-harry-potter-1829503693 "J.K. Rowling Needs To Stop Messing With Harry Potter"]. ''Kotaku''.</ref> In 2018, she released a Cormoran Strike novel featuring a pair of far-left "Israel-hating antisemites" as the villains.<ref name="JTAIsrael">Yvette Alt Miller (September 23, 2018). [https://web.archive.org/web/20221204114409/https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2018-09-23/ty-article/in-j-k-rowlings-new-novel-a-villain-is-an-israel-hating-anti-semite/0000017f-e9f3-da9b-a1ff-edff118a0000 "In J.K. Rowling’s New Novel, the Villain Is an Israel-hating anti-Semite"]. ''Jewish Telegraphic Agency'', via Haaretz.</ref> Rowling told off [[Vladimir Putin]] when he had the gall to compare Western sanctions against Russia to Rowling being "canceled" for her TERF views.<ref>Arnaud Siad, Nathan Hodge and Toyin Owoseje, [https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/25/world/jk-rowling-putin-intl-scli-gbr/index.html J.K. Rowling hits back at Putin after he likened Russia to her in rant against cancel culture]. CNN, 25 March 2022.</ref> In apparent response to her stance, a group of Russian trolls pranked her, convincing her that she was in a video conference with [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]]. Roughly fifteen minutes of strange nonsense ensued, with Rowling agreeing to "look into" changing Harry Potter's scar due to its similarity to the Russian {{wpl|Z (military symbol)|"Z" symbol|.}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRtGHtYTm6k "J.K. Rowling pranked by Russian pranksters"].</ref><ref>James Hibberd (June 23, 2022). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/j-k-rowling-volodymyr-zelensky-zoom-prank-1235170917/ "J.K. Rowling Pranked by Russians Impersonating Ukraine President Zelensky on Zoom Call"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''.</ref>{{efn|Obviously, she learned this was a prank afterwards. But now you know that Harry Potter with a Ukrainian trident for a scar was almost canon. At least if [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WordOfGod Word of God] equals canon to you.}} ==See also== *[[Anita Bryant]], another celebrity whose subsequent bigotry has completely overshadowed her legacy *[[Philosopher's stone]] *[[Tatsuya Ishida]], another once-popular writer turned TERF (and in his case, later turned neo-fascist) ==External links== *[http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/11-07-13/ Religion in Harry Potter] — ''Skeptic'' *[https://boolean-union.com/dissections/boolunion/truthyouth/BU.TTODD.TFY12.PART1.html Boolean Union Tract Dissections review of The Truth For Youth's ''Hairy Polarity and the Sinister Sorcery Satire'' comic] *[https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2007/jul/17/harrypottersbigconisthep Harry Potter's big con is the prose] *[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/07/opinion/harry-potter-and-the-childish-adult.html Harry Potter and the childish adult] *[https://www.vox.com/culture/23622610/jk-rowling-transphobic-statements-timeline-history-controversy "Is J.K. Rowling transphobic? Let’s let her speak for herself."] — ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'' *[[ContraPoints]] video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gDKbT_l2us on J. K. Rowling] *[[Shaun]]'s videos [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1iaJWSwUZs on Harry Potter] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou_xvXJJk7k JK Rowling's New Friends] ==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}} ==References== {{reflist|2|80%}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rowling, JK}} [[Category:Ableism]] [[Category:Alt-lite]] [[Category:Antisemites]] [[Category:Autism woo]] [[Category:Authors]] [[Category:British people]] [[Category:Christians]] [[Category:Cult leaders]] [[Category:Denialists]] [[Category:Holocaust denialists]] [[Category:Leftists who turned right with age]] [[Category:Liberals]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Media hysteria]] [[Category:Moral panics]] [[Category:Pseudoscience promoters]] [[Category:Racists]] [[Category:Slavery apologists]] [[Category:TERFs]] [[Category:Transphobes]]'
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext)
'We at the "pro-transgender" Rationalwiki love transgender rapists raping women in women's spaces, it's the name of progressivism! We are all left-wing child-raping pedophiles ourselves, it's bring us immense sexual pleasure to see women and children get molester by men in dresses! Transgender rights!! ==''Harry Potter'' series== [[File:Harry Potter wordmark.svg|thumb|right|165px|The logo]] {{cquote|''Harry's world says that drinking dead animal blood gives power, a satanic human sacrifice and Harry's powerful blood brings new life, demon possession is not spiritually dangerous, and that passing through fire, contacting the dead, and conversing with ghosts, others in the spirit world, and more, is normal and acceptable.''|||''Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged'', a DVD incapable of making a distinction between fantasy novels and the occult or even getting what is in said novels right.}} '''''Harry Potter''''', a series of seven (or so) [[fantasy]] novels by J. K. Rowling, relates the adventures of a teenage boy and his two best friends who attend a [[school]] of "[[witchcraft]] and wizardry", learning a whole range of [[magic]]al skills and fighting Dark Magic and [[evil]], and demonstrates how Alan Rickman got snubbed of another [[Oscars|Oscar]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqyf-kJWwIg Spoilers!]</ref> The series portrays Good triumphing over Evil. It became a [[Literature|literary]] and critical success; nevertheless, [[fundamentalist]] [[religious]] groups condemn it as a harmful work that will seduce [[children]] into the [[occult]] and witchcraft. In the [[United States]] (the so-called [[American exceptionalism|"great land of liberty"]]), the books have become the ''most challenged of the 21<sup>st</sup> century''.<ref>[http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2006/september2006/harrypottermostchallenge.cfm Harry Potter tops list of most challenged books of 21<sup>st</sup> century], American Library Association</ref> Fortunately for ''Harry Potter'' fans, magic and witchcraft are only a concern if you're [[Salem witch trials|stuck in the 17<sup>th</sup> century]] or living in [http://infidels.org/library/modern/richard_petraitis/witch_killers.html Africa], [[Indonesia]], or [[Papua New Guinea]] in the present century. The response to the books represents an excellent example of modern-day fundamentalism and would-be [[authoritarianism]], with numerous attempts to [[Censorship|ban the books]]. ===Commercialisation=== [[File:Montreal Comiccon 2016 - Harry Potter (27634156054).jpg|right|thumb|185px|Expelliarmus!]] The commercialisation of the ''Harry Potter'' series by capitalist industries, especially by Hollywood and the media, has been criticised. Scholar Jack Zipes critiqued the mass commercialisation and corporate hegemony behind the ''Harry Potter'' franchise, likening such hegemony to a form of cultural imperialism. In his Adornean analysis of ''Harry Potter''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s global brand, Zipes wrote, "It must conform to the standards of exception set by the mass media and promoted by the culture industry in general. To be a phenomenon means that a person or commodity must conform to the hegemonic groups that determine what makes up a phenomenon".<ref>Zipes, J. (2002). Sticks and Stones: The Troublesome Success of Children's Literature from Slovenly Peter to Harry Potter. Page 175.</ref> ===Themes=== Scholars have subjected the ''Harry Potter'' novels to serious [[social]] scrutiny, with studies of the series' [[political]] intricacies performed by columnists, [[professor]]s, and doctoral students alike. As of 2007, the catalog of the Library of [[Congress]] has recorded 21 volumes of criticism and interpretation, and at least seven master's dissertations and 17 doctoral theses have been devoted to the ''Harry Potter'' books. Seriously.<ref>[http://www.insidehighered.com/views/mclemee/mclemee133 Pottering Around], ''Inside Higher Ed''</ref> From the concepts of hierarchy and [[Eugenics|purity]] found in the relations between pure-blooded and muggle-born wizards to the struggle for House-Elf freedom, [[equality]] is a central theme of the books. It portrays [[Deceit|dishonest]] and incompetent [[government]] and [[media]] and paints [[war]] as a great evil in which innocent people die. The school which Harry attends, Hogwarts, is [[multicultural]], multiracial, and (seemingly) [[secular]]. Some critics have, however, called the books patronising and [[conservative]],<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2000/jun/25/booksforchildrenandteenagers.guardianchildrensfictionprize2000 "Why Harry Potter doesn't cast a spell over me"], ''The Guardian''</ref> or [[sexist]] and [[neoconservative]].<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20110523234615/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/rod_liddle/article2116237.ece "Hogwarts is a winner because boys will be sexist neocon boys"], ''The Sunday Times''</ref> This is odd since Rowling herself was a [[Labour Party| Labour]] supporter at time of writing (though she has since drifted away from the party). Unrelated controversies include comparisons to some older book series such as the ''Howl's Moving Castle'' and ''Wizard's Hall'' (''The Worst Witch'' is the most commented-on), which have resulted in accusations of [[plagiarism]], or (far worse) being derivative. The works feature frumpy and disaster-prone protagonists, a couple of loyal best-friends (one book-smart and [[rational]], one street-smart and slightly problematic), a blond and rich but cowardly and rather inefficient rival, a scary and seemingly unfair potions-teacher with hidden depths, a childish headmaster with a penchant for candy, and a big bad-guy who desires the destruction of the protagonist after their fateful first encounter. Whether this is more than just a re-hashing of [[TV Tropes|tropes]] is a matter of debate.<ref>{{wpa|Harry Potter influences and analogues}}</ref> Some fans, especially older ones, also believe that Rowling's later additions to the franchise are inferior to the original seven novels, with some outright comparing her work to that of George Lucas on the later ''Star Wars'' films,<ref>Farrow, Max. [https://screenrant.com/jk-rowling-george-lucas-harry-potter-star-wars/ "J.K. Rowling Is Turning Into George Lucas."] ''ScreenRant'', 25 November 2018 (recovered 30 April 2019).</ref> though one could hardly throw a rock within geek culture without running into similar complaints regarding one particular franchise or another. Rowling is a [[Christian]] herself. The final book, ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'', contains an epigraph from the [[Gospels]] ({{Bible|Matthew|6|21}}), Harry's parents' gravestones display another Bible quote ({{Bible|1 Corinthians|15|26}}), and Rowling also has a scene where Harry [[Messiah|sacrifices his own life and is resurrected]] and then proceeds to [[Jesus|save everybody]].<ref group=note>We're kind of over-exaggerating a bit, because it's implied in the final epilogue that he lived a fairly normal life after that.</ref> ==Fundamentalist hysteria== [[File:Hpevil.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Ghosts? Potions? ''Divination''?! The horror!]] There have been dozens of legal cases concerning [[copyright]] infringement, libel, and breach of contract involving the Potterworld. Flocks of religious leaders (plus [[Jack Chick]]) have fulminated against the series. Note, however, that many [[moderate]] and some [[evangelical Christian]]s have spoken out in favour of the books. While the [[Catholic Church]] has no official position, many [[Cardinal]]s oppose the books. It seems that once people make the distinction between fiction and real [[belief]] in magic, they can see past any objections to [[demon]]s and witchcraft to realise what the series supports. [[Islamic fundamentalism|Islamic fundamentalist]]s have denounced the series. The Islamic preacher [[Sheik Feiz Muhammad]] regarded the books and films as [[Satanism|"Satanic"]] and claimed they were introducing young children to [[pagan]] rituals (such as the drinking of [[goat]]'s blood) which [[Islam]] forbids. The esteemed Sheik also criticised Muslim parents who allow their children to watch the films or read the books, claiming they were being irresponsible.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JHc6m3Y2ss Harry Potter &mdash; Sheik Feiz Muhammad]</ref> Furthermore, the drinking of dead animal blood, [[Satanic]] human [[sacrifice]], [[demonic possession]], etc. described in the quote at the top of the page, are actions practised by the book's Wilhelm-screaming<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rVA4zwVmPw Voldemort NYAH NYEAH]</ref><ref group=note>Though, technically, the scream isn't actually the Wilhelm.</ref> ''antagonist'', Lord Voldemort, the [[murder]]er of Harry's parents; the books do not exactly present Voldemort as a morally praiseworthy figure.{{cn|joke}} As to the claims that the books promote witchcraft by teaching impressionable children to cast spells, well… we hate to break it to you, but the spells described in the books don't work in [[real life]], even if you wave a piece of carved wood in the air. Satirical news source ''[[The Onion]]'', in its [[Poe's Law|inimitable style]], once ran a spoof of the fundamentalists' claims, saying that children were converting to Satanism because of the books.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20000815214418/http://www.theonion.com/onion3625/harry_potter.html Avada Kedavra, bitches!]</ref> As if to prove their idiocy to anyone yet unconvinced, the fundies took the article as proof that they were right.<ref>[http://www.snopes.com/humor/iftrue/potter.asp Harry Potter and Satanism], Snopes.</ref> ==Secular criticism of ''Harry Potter''== [[File:Gringotts, Harry Potter Studio Tour (48538215342).jpg|thumb|right|180px|Goblin banker model from the films.]] ====Goblins as an antisemitic trope==== In the ''Harry Potter'' novels, goblins are presented as a short humanoid race with "swarthy" skin and "dark, slanting eyes." They run Gringotts, the sole banking institution in the wizarding world, and are characterized as shrewd, secretive, and untrustworthy. The films give them hooked noses and pointed ears. Critics have linked these depictions to [[anti-semitic]] caricatures of the [[Evil Jew]] and conspiracy theories about [[International Jewish conspiracy|Jews secretly controlling the world's financial system]].<ref name="goblins1">Peter Dendle, "Monsters, Creatures, and Pets at Hogwarts: Animal Stewardship in the World of ''Harry Potter'', in ''Critical Perspectives on Harry Potter'' (2008), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Critical_Perspectives_on_Harry_Potter/yfOTAgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22goblins+embody+many+caricatured+traits+of+stereotypical+Jews,%22&pg=PA165&printsec=frontcover page 165]</ref><ref name="goblins2">Jackie C. Horne, "Harry and the Other: Answering the Race Question in J. K. Rowling's ''Harry Potter'', ''The Lion and the Unicorn'' (2010), 34(1)</ref><ref name="goblins3">Madelyn Travis, ''Jews and Jewishness in British Children's Literature'' (2013), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jews_and_Jewishness_in_British_Children/MLWoAgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22moneylender+goblins%22&pg=PA5&printsec=frontcover page 5]</ref><ref name="goblins4">Daniel Levy & Avichai Snir, "[https://academic.oup.com/ooec/article/doi/10.1093/ooec/odac004/6646895 Potterian economics]", ''Oxford Open Economics'', Volume 1 (2022)</ref> In 2001, a reader letter to ''[[The New York Times]]'' called out the paper's review of the first film, charging that it failed to identify the "goblin bankers" as a "thinly veiled representation of jewish stereotypes."<ref>T. Gossett, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20171121043622/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/26/movies/potter/readers-comment-on-harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone.html Readers Comment on 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone']," ''The New York Times'', 26 November 2001</ref> Writing in the literary journal ''The Lion and the Unicorn'' in 2010, Jackie C. Horne held that the goblins' features "mark them as physically [[Other|other]]," while their role as bankers distinguishes them as "morally suspect" and a "modern-day embodiment of the stereotype of the Jewish moneylender or perhaps even an Italian [[Mafia]]so."<ref name="goblins2" /> Daniel Levy and Avichai Snir, in the journal ''Oxford Open Economics'', note that the movie goblins, in particular, have been condemned for their "acquiline noses and greedy-looking faces, similar to the cartoons that were used to depict stereotypical bankers and financiers in Europe in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century."<ref name="goblins4" /> This criticism gained new traction in 2022 after it came up during a discussion on [[Jon Stewart]]'s podcast:<ref>The Problem With Jon Stewart: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzffpeYnv-w The Problem With Goblins: J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter, & Jews]</ref><ref>IndieWire: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2022/01/05/the-harry-potter-anti-semitism-controversy-explained/ Jon Stewart Slams J.K. Rowling for Anti-Semitic Goblins in 'Harry Potter' Series]"</ref><ref>Variety: [https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jon-stewart-slams-jk-rowling-anti-semitic-harry-potter-goblins-1235146760/ Jon Stewart Calls Out J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Semitic Goblins in 'Harry Potter' Franchise]</ref> {{quotebox|'''Jay Jurden''': The Jews have arrived. What chapter of ''Harry Potter'' is that in? That's when they get to Gringotts, right?<br />'''Stewart''': Can I tell you something about ''Harry Potter''? [...] Here's how you know, like, Jews are still where they are. Talking to people, what I say is, "Have you ever seen a ''Harry Potter'' movie?" And people are all like, "I love the ''Harry Potter'' movies!" I'm like, "You ever see the scenes in Gringotts bank?" They're like, "I love the scenes in Gringotts bank!" Like, "Do you know what those folks that run the bank are?" And they're like, "What?" And then, like, "Jews."<br />'''Jurden''': And then that person says, "No, goblins." And then you go, "Do you hear yourself?"<br /> '''Stewart''': Let me show you this from ''[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion]]''. I just want to show you a caricature, and they're like, "Oh, look at that! That's from ''Harry Potter''." You're like, "No, that's a caricature of a Jew from an anti-semitic piece of literature." J.K. Rowling was like, "Can we get these guys to run our bank?" And you're like, "It's a wizarding world." [...] The train station has a half a thing and no one can see it. And we can ride dragons and you've got a pet owl. [...] Who should run the bank? Jews."}} Stewart later clarified that these remarks were intended as a "lighthearted conversation" and that he was "not accusing J. K. Rowling of being antisemitic."<ref>NBC News: [https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/jon-stewart-clarifies-comments-made-depiction-goblins-harry-potter-rcna11013 Jon Stewart clarifies comments he made about depiction of goblins in 'Harry Potter']</ref> ====House-elves and portrayal of slavery ==== One of the most understated parts of the book series is the portrayal of slavery and abolitionism. One of the main characters, Hermione Granger, seeks to abolish slavery and gets mocked for it. The enslaved group, the house elves, are portrayed as comical relief and themselves show hostility to the only slave who sought freedom.<ref>[https://medium.com/@hellyschtevie/harry-potter-and-the-problematic-slavery-parable-a6343a827d50 Harry Potter and the problematic slavery parable]</ref> Thankfully, this portrayal of slavery is almost completely removed from the films, with only Dobby (who only appears in the adaptation of Chamber of Secrets (where he is freed from the Malfoys) and Deathly Hallows (where he dies)) and Kreacher (where any mentions of Harry owning him are scrapped) making any appearances, likely as a result of the screenwriters noticing "Hey, this part's kinda weird." ===="Dumbledore is gay" and queer-baiting==== [[File:Albus Dumbledore.jpg|140px|right|thumb|Wingardium Levi-loafers! Dumbledore as depicted by a fan.]] In 2007, at a fan event a few months after the release of the last ''Harry Potter'' book, Rowling revealed that she had "always thought of Dumbledore as [[Homosexuality|gay]]."<ref>The Leaky Cauldron: [http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/10/20/j-k-rowling-at-carnegie-hall-reveals-dumbledore-is-gay-neville-marries-hannah-abbott-and-scores-more/ J. K. Rowling at Carnegie Hall Reveals Dumbledore is Gay], dated to Oct 20, 2007</ref><ref>BBC News: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7053982.stm JK Rowling outs Dumbledore as gay], dated Oct 20, 2007</ref> The revelation drew praise from fans and the LGBT community at the time, but predictably angered the religious right.<ref>The Christian Post: [https://www.christianpost.com/news/conservatives-urge-ban-on-harry-potter-over-witchcraft-homosexuality.html Conservatives Urge Ban on 'Harry Potter' Over Witchcraft, Homosexuality], dated Oct 30, 2007</ref> Since then, many fans have taken a critical view of Rowling's outing of Dumbledore, calling out her refusal to make his sexuality explicit in the text.<ref>The Daily UW: [https://www.dailyuw.com/arts_and_culture/sex-positions-fishing-for-a-queer-audience/article_c1aff5f7-e463-5d35-af9a-d8be64b147ae.html Sex positions: Fishing for a queer audience]</ref><ref>Esquire: [https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a26858267/j-k-rowling-dumbledore-grindelwald-gay-harry-potter/ J.K. Rowling Wants You To Know How Gay Dumbledore Really Was]</ref> The ''Fantastic Beasts'' prequels in particular have drawn fire for portraying Dumbledore's relationship with Grindelwald as ambiguous.<ref>Insider: [https://www.insider.com/fantastic-beasts-jk-rowling-dumbledore-lgbt-backlash-2018-2 LGBT backlash against Fantastic Beasts], dated to Feb 2, 2018</ref><ref>SBS: [https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/agenda/article/2019/03/19/listen-jk-rowling-its-time-give-us-gay-dumbledore?cid=inbody:matilda-star-mara-wilson-calls-out-jk-rowlings-transphobia Rowling omitting Dumbledore being gay is a slap in the face to her queer fans], dated to Mar 19, 2019</ref><ref>Insider: [https://www.insider.com/fantastic-beasts-sequel-dumbledore-gay-2018-1 Fantastic Beasts director says movie will not address Dumbledore being gay], dated to Jan 31, 2018</ref> Rowling stated in a 2008 interview that, after being made an "utter fool" and "[losing] his moral compass completely" through his love for wizard supremacist Grindelwald, Dumbledore "became quite [[asexuality|asexual]]" and "led a [[celibacy|celibate]] and a bookish life."<ref>MuggleNet, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080312175647/http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/full_story/1497 New interview with JK Rowling]," 9 March 2008</ref> Critics have linked this to the "hate the sin, love the sinner" framework of anti-gay conservatives, which accepts gay people so long as they [[ex-gay|renounce their "sinful" desires and never act on them]].<ref>Demisexual and Proud: [https://demiandproud.wordpress.com/2021/01/15/albus-dumbledore-j-k-rowlings-ex-gay/ Albus Dumbledore, J.K. Rowling’s Ex-Gay]</ref> Academic Catherine Tosenberger, writing in the journal ''Children's Literature'' in 2008, observed that Dumbledore "arguably fits into the category of the 'safely contained' homosexual, as he is both elderly (and therefore presumably celibate) and dead."<ref name="tosenberger1">Catherine Tosenberger, "Homosexuality at the Online Hogwarts: Harry Potter Slash Fanfiction", ''Children's Literature'', volume 36 (2008)</ref> In another journal article published the same year, Tosenberger wrote that, though this might "smack of ageism," it spared "squeamish readers" from having to "confront the threatening specter of a sexually active gay male body."<ref name="tosenberger2">Catherine Tosenberger, "'Oh my God, the Fanfiction!': Dumbledore's Outing and the Online Harry Potter Fandom", ''Children's Literature Association Quarterly'' (2008), 33(2)</ref> Victoria Vestić wrote in 2018 that, because Dumbledore's teenage sister died in the crossfire of his parting duel with Grindelwald, he "does not pursue other homosexual relationships until his death."<ref name="werewolf3">Victoria Vestić, "[https://repozitorij.ffst.unist.hr/islandora/object/ffst:2249 Harry Potter, Heteronormativity and Pronatalism – the Villain as the Antinatalist]", ''Journal of the International Symposium of Students of English, Croatian and Italian Studies'' (2018)</ref> Thus, in Vestić's view, he is "punished by the narrative for not sacrificing his homosexuality" in service to the heternormative family ideal, but is offered redemption by "dedicat[ing] his life to the protection of other's children" as Hogwarts' headmaster.<ref name="werewolf3" /> In a 2018 article in the ''Journal of LGBT Youth'', Thomas Crisp maintained that gay readings of Dumbledore mean that the "sole depiction of a gay male in this series is of a sensitive man with a flamboyant sense of style and a penchant for fashion, a man whose love for another man is the great tragedy of his life."<ref>Thomas Crisp, "Beyond Harold and Dumbledore: (Re-)considering Children's Books Depicting Gay Males, ''Journal of LGBT Youth'' (2018), 15(4)</ref> Dumbledore/Grindelwald isn't the only time that Rowling has been accused of "[[LGBTQ orientation glossary#Queerbaiting|queer-baiting]]" a gay relationship. Early on in the fandom's history, some readers saw evidence of a subtextual gay romance in the relationship of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, citing canonical details such as their jointly gifting Harry a [[Christmas]] present in the fifth book.<ref name="tosenberger1" /><ref name="lupin-tonks1">The Paris Review: [https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/12/10/harry-potter-and-the-secret-gay-love-story/ Harry Potter and the Secret Gay Love Story]</ref><ref>Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/05/harry-potter-jk-rowling-apologizes-killing-remus-lupin-sirius-black-gay Why J.K. Rowling's Latest Apology Is Even More Meaningful than It Seems]</ref> In 2004, when asked if Harry had a godmother at a book festival, Rowling replied that his godfather Sirius had been "too busy being a big rebel to get married."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060224124458/https://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/news_view.cfm?id=80 J K Rowling at the Edinburgh Book Festival], 15 August 2004</ref> However, with the release of the sixth book the following year, Lupin was shoehorned into a heterosexual romance with Nymphadora Tonks.<ref name="tosenberger1" /><ref name="lupin-tonks1" /><ref name="lupin-tonks2">The Print: [https://theprint.in/opinion/pov/jk-rowling-has-always-been-tone-deaf-just-look-at-the-harry-potter-universe/439064/ JK Rowling has always been tone-deaf. Just look at the Harry Potter Universe]</ref><ref name="remus-tonks3">TN2 Magazine: [https://www.tn2magazine.ie/not-so-fantastic-queerbaiting/ Not-So-Fantastic Queerbaiting And Where To Shove Your Bad Racial Politics]"</ref> Some fans perceived this as Rowling deliberately shutting down the possibility of canonical queer romance, particularly since Tonks, a pink-haired shapeshifter, has also been interpreted as [[genderqueer]] or a [[lesbian]].<ref name="lupin-tonks2" /><ref name="remus-tonks3" /> In ''Deathly Hallows'' (2007), Harry visits Sirius Black's teenage bedroom and notes "posters of bikini-clad Muggle girls" on the walls, something viewed by fans as another example of Rowling enforcing [[heteronormativity]] in her world. As recently as 2016, Rowling peevishly denied that Sirius Black was gay in response to a [[Twitter]] inquiry, prompting upset fans to launch the hashtag "#JKRowlingIsOverParty" (this was before the first rumblings of [[#Yer a transphobe, Joanne|her descent into transphobia]]).<ref>[https://imgur.com/a/6PVyl Screenshots] of the original questions and Rowling's reply.</ref><ref>Digital Spy: [https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a807110/jkrowlingisoverparty-starts-over-harry-potter-characters-sexuality/ #JKRowlingIsOverParty kicks off in protest of a Harry Potter character's sexuality and a Wizarding War erupts]</ref><ref>HuffPost: [https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jk-rowling-condemns-ton-of-abuse-she-faces-after-twitter-thinks-she-revealed-harry-potter-characters-sexuality_uk_57cf1c22e4b0d45ff8700dfd JK Rowling Sirius Black Sexuality Twitter Profile 'Answers' Lead To 'Ton Of Abuse' For Harry Potter Author]</ref> Tosenberger wrote in ''Children's Literature'' that Sirius's character arc in ''Order of the Phoenix'' (2003) follows the "trope in early gay-themed YA literature that homosexual characters must be {{wpl|Bury your gays|lonely, tormented, and then die|."}}<ref name="tosenberger1" /> The release of ''Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'' in 2016 sparked renewed accusations of queer-baiting and {{w|LGBT erasure||.}}<ref name="cursedchild1">Vox: [https://www.vox.com/2016/9/4/12534818/harry-potter-cursed-child-rowling-queerbaiting The Harry Potter universe still can't translate its gay subtext to text. It's a problem.]</ref><ref name="cursedchild2">The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/aug/16/harry-potter-possible-example-queerbaiting-cursed-child Harry Potter and the Possible Queerbaiting: why fans are mad over a lack of gay romance]</ref><ref name="cursedchild3">Logo: [https://www.logotv.com/news/oy6891/harry-potter-queer-lgbtq-characters-jk-rowling Harry Potter and the Relentless Queerbaiting: Why Won't The Magical Closet Be Unlocked]</ref> The play, written by Jack Thorne based on a story outline by Rowling, centers on the friendship of Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy (sons of Harry and Draco, respectively).<ref name="cursedchild1" /><ref name="cursedchild2" /> Writing for ''Vox'', Aja Romano found that "sexual subtext hovers at the edges of Albus and Scorpius' interactions," with the "poorly written" female characters serving as "shameless props for the giant, flashing '{{w|No homo|NO HOMO|!'}} sign that the play hangs over the two boys' heads."<ref name="cursedchild1" /> Romano held that the boys' interest in girls seemed to have been "added as an afterthought" in "underdeveloped, unconvincing moments."<ref name="cursedchild1" /> Billy McEntee, reviewing the play for ''Logo'' in 2018, thought that Scorpius and Albus were portrayed as "secret lovers with all of the subtext and none of the follow through."<ref name="cursedchild3" /> The play's script was eventually reworked in 2021 to remove the references to female love interests and add new dialogue suggesting romantic feelings on Albus's part.<ref>Los Angeles Times: [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-07-08/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-changes-commentary Commentary: A ‘Harry Potter’ play claimed to be a family affair. After major changes, it finally is]</ref><ref>Pride.com: [https://www.pride.com/theater/2021/12/08/harry-potter-character-even-gayer-cursed-child-revamp This Harry Potter Character Is Even Gayer in Cursed Child Revamp]</ref><ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/may/25/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-is-the-shorter-one-part-play-better Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: is the shorter, one-part play better?]</ref> [[File:Werewolf (Harry Potter).jpg|right|thumb|165px|Model of Lupin's werewolf form used in the films.]] Rowling explicitly shut down the fan theory that [[dragon]]-keeper and confirmed bachelor Charlie Weasley is gay. In the 2007 documentary ''J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life'', she was directly asked if Charlie was gay after dropping the [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WordOfGod Word of God] that he never married, and replied, "Um, no, I don't think Charlie's gay. Just more interested in dragons than women."<ref>MuggleNet: [https://www.mugglenet.com/2015/10/asexual-awareness-protect-charlie-weasley-at-all-costs/ Asexual Awareness: Protect Charlie Weasley at All Costs]</ref> ====Werewolves as an AIDS metaphor==== In the ''Prisoner of Azkaban'' (1999), Remus Lupin is introduced as a new professor at Hogwarts, proving to be a competent instructor and a supportive mentor to Harry. It is eventually revealed that Lupin's mysterious monthly absences are due to [[werewolf|lycanthropy]]. For a time, Lupin keeps his condition secret with the aid of sympathetic headmaster Dumbledore by sequestering himself away from students every full [[moon]]. Eventually, he forgets to take a special potion and nearly attacks Harry, revealing his condition to the wizarding world. He is forced to resign from his teaching post amid angry protests from parents. In ''Half-Blood Prince'' (2005), Lupin reveals that he was bitten as a child by Fenrir Greyback, who he describes as the "most savage werewolf alive today." Greyback, unlike most werewolves who attack in a state of uncontrolled frenzy, knowingly plans and stalks his victims in advance. He "specialises in children," following a philosophy of "bite them young [...] and raise them away from their parents, raise them to hate normal wizards." Greyback hopes to "bite and to contaminate as many people as possible" in order to create a werewolf army to "overcome the wizards." In ''Deathly Hallows'' (2007), Lupin volunteers to join Harry on his quest, having [[Marriage#Shotgun weddings|hastily-married]] the [[pregnancy|expectant]] Tonks. Harry accuses Lupin of abandoning his wife and child-to-be. Lupin calls the marriage a "grave mistake" and worries that he has made Tonks an "outcast." He castigates himself for having "knowingly risked passing on [his] own condition to an innocent child." He says that, even if the child isn't born a werewolf, it will be better off "without a father of whom it must always be ashamed." Tonks and Lupin later reconcile. Their son Teddy is born without lycanthropy, but is orphaned when they die fighting Voldemort. Rowling first revealed that she'd used lycanthropy as a metaphor for [[HIV/AIDS]] in 2008 while testifying in her lawsuit against ''Harry Potter Lexicon'' creator Steven Vander Ark:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080430083516/http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/system/files/Trial+Transcript+Day+1.txt Transcript of the first day of testimony in ''Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. RDR Books'']</ref> {{quotebox|I know that I've said publicly<ref group=note>The closest Rowling had previously come to disclosing this was calling Lupin's lycanthropy "a metaphor for people's reactions to illness and disability" in the 2000 book ''Conversations with J. K. Rowling''. Given that this book was aimed at children, it's possible Rowling's comment was edited without her knowledge, or it's possible that she simply misremembered her remarks after eight years.</ref> that Remus Lupin was supposed to be on the H.I.V. metaphor. It was someone who had been infected young, who suffered stigma, who had a fear of infecting others, who was terrified he would pass on his condition to his son. And it was a way of examining prejudice, unwarranted prejudice towards a group of people. And also, examining why people might become embittered when they're treated that unfairly.}} This explanation was also given in a supplementary biography of Lupin written by Rowling and published on the site Pottermore in 2015:<ref>J. K. Rowling, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20191002105532/https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/remus-lupin Remus Lupin]", Pottermore, 10 August 2015</ref> {{quotebox|Lupin's condition of lycanthropy (being a werewolf) was a metaphor for those illnesses that carry a stigma, like HIV and AIDS. All kinds of superstitions seem to surround blood-borne conditions, probably due to taboos surrounding blood itself. The wizarding community is as prone to hysteria and prejudice as the Muggle one, and the character of Lupin gave me a chance to examine those attitudes.}} The AIDS metaphor drew criticism even before its confirmation by Rowling due to the parallels to real homophobic fearmongering.<ref name="werewolf3" /><ref name="werewolf1">Tison Pugh & David L. Wallace, "Heteronormative Heroism and Queering the School Story in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series", ''Children's Literature Association Quarterly'' (2006), 36(3)</ref><ref name="werewolf2">Phillip A. Bernhardt-House, "The Werewolf as Queer, the Queer as Werewolf, and Queer Werewolves", in ''Queering the Non/Human'' (2008)</ref><ref>Souvik Datta, "[http://pintersociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/SD-16.pdf Hijacking the Hysteria: Reading Heteronormativity, Homophobia and a narrative of Queerness into J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels]", ''Lapis Lazuli: An International Literary Journal'' (2021), 11(1)</ref> In 2006, Tison Pugh and David L. Wallace wrote in the journal ''Children's Literature Association Quarterly'' that if werewolves "serve as a queer figure within the world of the ''Harry Potter'' books, it becomes distressingly apparent that they must then also serve as figures of [[pederasty]] and [[child sexual abuse]]."<ref name="werewolf1" /> They described Fenrir Greyback as "delight[ing] in the pederastic pleasures of preying on children," citing a passage in which he tells Dumbledore "you know how much I like kids."<ref name="werewolf1" /> Gay people – particularly gay men – have been accused of "[[Homosexual agenda#Homosexual recruitment|recruiting]]" young people into [[homosexuality]] through seduction or abuse since the post-[[World War II|War]] era.<ref>Heather Murray, ''Not in This Family: Gays and the Meaning of Kinship in Postwar North America'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=9nzphECbo8AC&pg=PA91&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false page 91]</ref> Homophobes propagated [[urban legend]]s and [[moral panic]] that HIV was being deliberately spread during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s.<ref>William A. Rushing, ''The AIDS Epidemic: Social Dimensions of an Infectious Disease'' (1995), [https://archive.org/details/aidsepidemicsoci0000rush/page/156/ page 157]</ref><ref>Christopher R. Fee, Jeffrey B. Webb, ''American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore'' (2016), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Myths_Legends_and_Tall_Tales_An/kXnEDAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 pages 4-6]</ref><ref>Jeffrey P. Dennis, "'Do You Like Girls Yet?': Heterosexual Presumption, Homophobia, And Pubescence", in ''Perceiving Gender Locally, Globally, and Intersectionally'' (2009), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Perceiving_Gender_Locally_Globally_and_I/4D0XTvFV9e4C?hl=en&gbpv=1 page 68]</ref> LGBT teachers have long faced public [[Closet|outing]] and [[discrimination|calls for their sacking]] under the notion they are a [[think of the children|threat to children]].<ref>Janna Marie Jackson, ''Unmasking Identities: An Exploration of the Lives of Gay and Lesbian Teachers'' (2007), [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Unmasking_Identities/lUQ2AAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 pages 2-4]</ref> ==Yer a transphobe, Joanne== ==="Show me one 'transphobic' thing she's said!"=== ====2017–2019: The mask starts to slip==== The first indication of Rowling's developing transphobia was her liking of a tweet promoting a Medium piece positioning single-sex spaces as a [[#MeToo]] issue in October 2017.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220127020340/https://twitter.com/TransSalamander/status/922941885160632320</ref> She would later confirm that she began "reading books, blogs and scientific papers" related to gender around this time.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230330221850/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269394077176541189</ref> Some have pointed to a scene in her 2014 novel ''The Silkworm'' as providing an earlier warning.<ref name="Vice">Vice: [https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkeynz/jk-rowlings-transphobia-wasnt-hard-to-find-she-wrote-a-book-about-it JK Rowling's Transphobia Wasn't Hard to Find, She Wrote a Book About It]</ref> This scene involves the hero [[#Cormoran Strike|Cormoran Strike]] warning a trans woman that going to [[prison]] "won't be fun for you, Pippa [...] not [[Gender transition#Surgery and other procedures|pre-op]]."<ref name="Vice" /> This would read as just another terrible joke about [[prison rape]] if it weren't for the weird implication that vaginoplasty would make the experience "fun" for Pippa. Which is exactly the kind of thought someone might have if their brain was already half-cooked by believing in [[autogynephilia]].<ref group=note>This pseudoscientific hypothesis from the 1980s divides trans women into two categories: "homosexual transsexuals," who supposedly transition to lure straight cis men into relationships, and "autogynephiles," i.e. lesbian and bi trans women who can't be branded self-hating gays and are instead deemed to have a fetishistic interest in imagining themselves as female. Under this batshit framework, some transphobes have [https://www.reddit.com/r/GenderCynical/comments/ir5uev/sexual_assaults_validates_them_as_a_woman_talk/ sincerely claimed] that trans women [[Blaming the victim|derive gratification]] from being sexually assaulted, either as sex with a man (for "homosexual transsexuals") or as a validation of their womanhood (for "autogynephiles"). Basically, in the warped perspective that seemingly informed Rowling's tasteless joke, Strike assumes Pippa would prefer vaginal rape over anal rape as a fulfillment of her "autogynephilic" fantasy of experiencing sexual violence as a woman. Rowling confirmed she has indeed swallowed [[Ray Blanchard|Blanchard's]] crap with a 2024 tweet attacking a famous trans woman for "[[#2024: Going full Graham Linehan|cosplaying a misogynistic male fantasy]]."</ref> In March 2018, Rowling liked a tweet by @racybearhold that declared, "Men in dresses get [[Feminist glossary#Brocialist|brocialist]] solidarity I never had. That's misogyny!"<ref name="indy100">Indy100: [https://www.indy100.com/article/jk-rowling-tweet-transphobic-men-dresses-harry-potter-8268111 JK Rowling has a 'clumsy and middle-aged moment' by liking a 'transphobic' tweet]</ref> Rowling's representative issued an apologetic statement claiming that she had suffered a "clumsy and middle-aged moment" and accidentally liked the tweet by "holding her phone incorrectly."<ref name="indy100" /> However, a few months later in September 2018, Rowling liked a tweet by Janice Turner promoting her ''[[The Times|Times]]'' op-ed on trans prisoners.<ref name="phaylen">Phaylen Fairchild: [https://phaylen.medium.com/oops-she-did-it-again-transphobic-j-k-rowling-no-fox-belongs-in-a-henhouse-b3cdf0e81dd8 Oops! She Did It Again, Transphobic J.K. Rowling: "No Fox Belongs In a Henhouse."]</ref> This tweet carried the tagline "No fox has a right to live in a henhouse, even if he identifies as a hen."<ref name="phaylen" /> Trans author Owl Fisher sarcastically replied, "Did you have another 'middle-aged' moment and accidentally like a clearly transphobic article, @jk_rowling?"<ref name="phaylen" /> Rowling ignored Fisher but liked a subsequent tweet by Turner rebuking "the [[Thought Police|thought police]] [who] patrol a woman author's every 'like' for wrongthink."<ref name="phaylen" /> In June 2019 — Pride month, no less — Rowling was revealed to be following nearly a dozen transphobic Twitter accounts.<ref name="pinknews">PinkNews: [https://archive.is/jp3E2 JK Rowling under fire for following a 'proud transphobe' on Twitter]</ref><ref name="femestella">Femestella: [https://www.femestella.com/jk-rowling-transphobic/ J.K. Rowling Has Been Following Anti-Trans Activists and We Need an Explanation]</ref> Twitter user @Persenche looked through the nearly 670 people Rowling was following at the time and concluded that 11 of them were anti-trans activists (including [[Julie Bindel]] and the notoriously vicious {{w|Magdalen Berns}}).<ref name="femestella" /> Rowling's representative told ''PinkNews'' that "J.K. Rowling won't be commenting" and that she "follows a wide range of people she finds interesting or thought-provoking."<ref name="pinknews" /> On December 19, 2019, Rowling officially came out as a TERF with a tweet supporting [[Maya Forstater]], an anti-trans activist who had recently launched a wrongful dismissal suit against her former employer.<ref name="vox">Vox: [https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/12/19/21029852/jk-rowling-terf-transphobia-history-timeline J.K. Rowling’s latest tweet seems like transphobic BS. Her fans are heartbroken]</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50858919 Maya Forstater: Woman loses tribunal over transgender tweets], BBC, December 19, 2019</ref> Rowling characterised Forstater's case as an example of a woman being forced out of her job simply for "[[motte and bailey|stating that sex is real]]."<ref name="vox" /> The reality is that Forstater was working on a contract that her employer did not renew when it expired.<ref name="nbcnews">NBC News: [https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/j-k-rowling-s-maya-forstater-tweets-support-hostile-work-ncna1105201 J.K. Rowling's Maya Forstater tweets support hostile work environments, not free speech]</ref><ref name="advocate">The Advocate: [https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2020/1/06/time-has-not-made-jk-rowlings-actions-any-less-terrible The JK Rowling Scandal Is Anti-Trans Bigotry Masquerading as Science]</ref> Forstater's co-workers also went to management because they found that her frequent espousal of anti-trans views (at one point she blasted out 150 transphobic tweets in a single week) was creating a hostile work environment.<ref name="nbcnews" /><ref name="advocate" /> Rowling's full-throated support of Forstater drew stronger backlash than any of her previous slip-ups. It is commonly thought of as the moment that she officially came out as a TERF. Nonetheless, some held out hope at the time that Rowling was simply misinformed, and sought to educate her rather than condemn her. GLAAD offered to "facilitate an off-the-record discussion" between Rowling and "members of the trans community", but she refused.<ref>Variety: [https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/glaad-j-k-rowling-anti-trans-researcher-1203448964/ GLAAD: J.K. Rowling’s Support of Anti-Trans Researcher ‘Puts Trans People at Risk’]</ref> ====2020–2021: TERF manifesto and Twitter punditry==== In May 2020, Rowling released a "stand-alone [[fairy tales|fairytale]]" called ''The Ickabog'' for free online, hoping to give kids a distraction during "[[COVID-19 pandemic|the strange and difficult time we're passing through]]."<ref>CBC News: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/rowling-ickabog-free-1.5584704 J.K. Rowling unveils new kids tale The Ickabog as free online serial]</ref> Observers noted that she began liking "hideously transphobic" tweets around the same time.<ref>PinkNews: [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/05/18/jk-rowling-transphobic-transgender-twitter-tweets-alex-drummond/ We guess JK Rowling has had another 'middle-aged moment', because she's been caught liking hideously transphobic tweets again]</ref><ref>LGBTQ Nation: [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/05/harry-potter-author-j-k-rowling-continues-support-extreme-anti-transgender-tweets/ "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling continues support for extreme anti-transgender rhetoric]</ref><ref>PopBuzz: [https://www.popbuzz.com/life/lgbtq/jk-rowling-transphobic-twitter-harry-potter/ JK Rowling slammed for liking transphobic tweets on Twitter]</ref> On May 29, she [[SLAPP suit|threatened legal action]] against Canadian trans politician Nicola Spurling, due to a tweet suggesting the author's bigotry means she "can no longer be trusted around children."<ref name="spurling">Tri-City News: [https://www.tricitynews.com/news/j-k-rowling-threatens-legal-action-against-coquitlam-transgender-activist-over-tweets-1.24143892 J.K. Rowling threatens legal action against Coquitlam transgender activist over tweets]</ref> That same day, Rowling accidentally copied a vulgar quote from a ''[[Feminist Current]]'' article into a reply to 9-year-old fan, later apologizing for the "un-Ickaboggish message" but not for the transphobia.<ref>HuffPost: [https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jk-rowling-transgender-tweet-delete_uk_5ed130c1c5b6658234cf888d JK Rowling Speaks Out Over 'Accidental' Tweet About Transgender Woman]"</ref><ref>The Mary Sue: [https://www.themarysue.com/jk-rowling-latest-twitter-transphobia/ J.K. Rowling Accidentally Tweeted Transphobic Content From Her Messages]</ref><ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/05/29/jk-rowling-terf-tweet-transgender-apology/ JK Rowling apologises after accidentally tweeting 'f**k up some TERFs' while responding to a 9-year-old's drawing]</ref><ref>The Daily Dot: [https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/jk-rowling-ickabog-fanart-transphobic-tweet/ J.K. Rowling deleted a tweet that included transphobic commentary with a child’s fanart]</ref> This was followed by Rowling mocking the phrase "people who menstruate" on June 6.<ref>Vulture: [https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/j-k-rowling-shares-transphobic-views-on-twitter.html J.K. Rowling Somehow Decides Now’s a Good Time to Double Down on Her Transphobia]</ref> The next day saw her endorse [[biological determinism]] in yet another Twitter tirade: "If sex isn't real, [[not even wrong|there's no same-sex attraction]]. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of [[TERF glossary#Erasing women|women globally is erased]]. [[Friend argument|I know and love trans people]], but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. [[I'm not prejudiced, but...|It isn't hate to speak the truth]]."<ref>Insider: [https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-is-terf-tweets-same-sex-attraction-feminists-lesbians-2020-6 JK Rowling claims trans activism hurts women and lesbians], dated to Jun 7, 2020</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269389298664701952 If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth.], JK Rowling, Twitter, 6 June 2020; [https://archive.ph/OxRrk archived].</ref> In response to the backlash over this flurry of transphobia, Rowling published a lengthy TERF manifesto on her official site on June 10, 2020.<ref name="terfmanifesto">J.K. Rowling: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200610162001/https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/ J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues]</ref> Toward the end of the month, {{w|Stephen King}} liked a tweet by Rowling quoting [[Andrea Dworkin]] quote, prompting Rowling to thank him and praise his work.<ref name="StephenKing1">The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-stephen-king-trans-women-row-delete-tweet-a9590536.html JK Rowling deletes tweet praising Stephen King after he supports trans women]</ref><ref name="StephenKing2">Newsweek: [https://www.newsweek.com/jk-rowling-deletes-stephen-king-tweet-trans-women-support-twitter-1514051 J.K. Rowling Deletes Stephen King Praise After He Supports Trans Women]</ref><ref name="StephenKing3">Consequence of Sound: [https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/06/j-k-rowling-stephen-king-trans-women/ J.K. Rowling Blocks Stephen King After He Tweets Support of Trans Women]</ref><ref group=note>Dworkin was an [https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/john-stoltenberg-andrew-dworkin-was-trans-ally/ early trans-''inclusive'' radical feminist], advocating a right to state-funded "sex-change operation[s]" in her 1974 book ''Woman Hating'', albeit as an "emergency measure" on the path to her weird prescription for the societal [[abolition of gender]]. The quote Rowling tweeted is from her 1987 book ''Intercourse'': "Men often react to women's words – speaking and writing – as if they were acts of violence; sometimes men react to women's words with violence." The [https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7395345-men-often-react-to-women-s-words-speaking-and-writing-as-if-they full passage] makes it clear that Dworkin was discussing how patriarchy harms and oppresses women. Rowling dropped the quote toward the end of a [https://web.archive.org/web/20200630135808/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1277263814552100866 nine-part Twitter screed] gloating over her extraction of an apology from [[Labour Party|Labour]] MP {{wpl|Lloyd Russell-Moyle||.}} Russell-Moyle upset Rowling by accusing her of "using" her sexual assault survivor status "as justification for discriminating against [trans people]" in a [https://web.archive.org/web/20200628075545/https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/06/labour-must-stand-with-trans-people-against-a-new-section-28 June 2020 ''Tribune'' piece] criticising [[Conservative Party|Tory]] plans to scrap GRA reform. It's possible that Stephen King only saw the tweet with the Dworkin quote or was unaware of the rampant transphobia in the UK. {{wpl|Mark Hamill}} has walked back liking Rowling tweets he seemingly understood as general feminist statements. In 2019, he [https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jk-rowling-transphobic-tweet-mark-hamill-maya-fortstater-terf-a9254446.html apologised] for not catching the "transphobic connotation" in the [[#2017-2019: The mask starts to slip|#IStandWithMaya tweet]], and in 2023 he [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/mark-hamill-jk-rowling-trans-women-b2269504.html apologised] for liking a tweet in which Rowling replied to trans newsreader {{wpl|India Willoughby||'s}} declaration of being "more of a woman" than her with "citation needed."</ref> However, after King publicly agreed that trans women are women, Rowling deleted her positive tweet and blocked him.<ref name="StephenKing1" /><ref name="StephenKing2" /><ref name="StephenKing3" /> King later stated that Rowling had "canceled" and "kinda blocked" him for supporting trans women.<ref>Forbes: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/dawnstaceyennis/2021/05/24/jk-rowling-canceled-stephen-king-for-supporting-transgender-women/?sh=7aff31294bf5 J.K. Rowling 'Canceled' Stephen King For Supporting Transgender Women]</ref><ref>The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/stephen-king-jk-rowling-trans-row-b1850212.html Stephen King says JK Rowling 'cancelled' him over trans row]</ref> On July 7, 2020, ''Harper's Magazine'' published an {{wpl|A Letter on Justice and Open Debate|open letter}} signed by Rowling and 100 other public figures.<ref name="harpers">[https://harpers.org/a-letter-on-justice-and-open-debate/ A Letter on Justice and Open Debate]</ref> The letter decried a "[[cancel culture|vogue for public shaming and ostracism]]" supposedly threatening the "free exchange of information and ideas."<ref name="harpers" /> It was a response to ''[[New York Times]]'' editor James Bennet resigning after printing a controversial [[Tom Cotton]] op-ed calling for the military to suppress [[Black Lives Matter]] protests.<ref>[https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2020/07/09/jk-rowling-letter-backlash/ ‘Whiny BS’: letter signed by JK Rowling, Margaret Atwood slammed as out of touch], ''The New Daily'', July 7, 2020</ref><ref>HuffPost: [https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/cancel-culture-harpers-jk-rowling-scam_n_5f0887b4c5b67a80bc06c95e Don't Fall For The 'Cancel Culture' Scam]</ref> Around this time, Rowling lambasted trans writer {{wpl|Jennifer Finney Boylan}} for withdrawing her initial support for the ''Harper'''s letter,<ref>Newsweek: [https://www.newsweek.com/author-jennifer-finney-boylan-recants-cancel-cultureletter-jk-rowling-1516235 Trans Author Jennifer Finney Boylan Recants 'Cancel Culture' Letter Signed by J.K. Rowling]</ref><ref group="note">Boylan [https://web.archive.org/web/20200708000345/twitter.com/JennyBoylan/status/1280646004136697863 explained] that, at the time she endorsed the ''Harper's'' letter, she believed it to be a "well meaning, if vague, message against internet shaming," and was only aware that it had been signed by [[The Handmaid's Tale|Margaret Atwood]], [[Noam Chomsky]], and Gloria Steinem. Rowling's [https://web.archive.org/web/20200727113315/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1280834668552769536 bonkers response] to the retraction pointed out that Boylan was "still following" her and demanded that she "publicly repent of [her] association with [[TERF glossary#Goody_.5Bname.5D|Goody]] Rowling before unfollowing and volunteer to operate the ducking stool next time." Rowling notably did not attack cisgender historian {{wpl|Kerri Greenidge}} for [https://www.thewrap.com/some-public-figures-now-regret-signing-harpers-open-letter-against-cancel-culture/ withdrawing her signature] (which was allegedly added by a colleague without her consent).</ref> and threatened to sue UK teen-oriented news site ''The Day'' for reporting on the controversy surrounding her anti-trans remarks.<ref name="white" /> In August 2020, {{w|Kerry Kennedy}} called out Rowling's "deeply troubling transphobic tweets and statements," leading Rowling to return an award given by the RFK Center for her charity work in 2019.<ref>CBC News: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/rowling-award-return-1.5704196 J.K. Rowling returns human rights award amid criticism from organization]</ref><ref>Reuters: [https://www.reuters.com/article/variety-idUSL4N2FU4C4 J.K. Rowling Returns Kennedy Family Award Following Kerry Kennedy Remarks]</ref><ref>Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/books/j-k-rowling-returning-human-rights-award-over-trans-views/ J.K. Rowling returning human rights award to group that now condemns her trans views]</ref> Now fully content with being a terrible person, Rowling shilled for a TERF store called Wild Womyn Workshop in September, posting a selfie of herself in a shirt proclaiming "[[European witch-hunts|this witch doesn't burn]]."<ref name="wildwomyn1"> Rachel E. Greenspan (Sep 23, 2020). [https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-terf-online-store-selling-anti-trans-merch-2020-9 "JK Rowling promoted a store selling anti-trans merch saying 'transwomen are men' and 'f--- your pronouns'"]. ''Insider''.</ref><ref name="wildwomyn2">Allie Gregory (Sep 23, 2020). [https://exclaim.ca/film/article/j_k_rowling_promotes_proudly_transphobic_online_store "J.K. Rowling Promotes Proudly Transphobic Online Store"]. ''Exclaim!''</ref> The shop sells a variety of products featuring such lovely slogans as "sorry about your dick bro," "f*ck your pronouns," "transwomen are men," and "transmen are my sisters."<ref name="wildwomyn1" /><ref name="wildwomyn2" /><ref>@DreamsRestless. (September 22, 2020). [https://web.archive.org/web/20201116094816/https://twitter.com/DreamsRestless/status/1308484156129714177 "JK Rowling is taking the next step in making her hatred of trans people her whole identity by promoting a store with an entire section dedicated to transphobia."] ''Twitter''. Archived November 16, 2020.</ref> [[File:AIArtofJKR1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Her Lady of the Two Foreheads. [[Artificial intelligence|AI]]-generated fanart of Rowling by a TERF, depicting her in the style of a religious icon.]] Rowling claimed to have been "[[doxxing|doxxed]]" after three protestors shared a photo of themselves holding signs with trans-rights slogans outside the gate of her Edinburgh mansion in November 2021.<ref name="them-24">James Factora, [https://www.them.us/story/jk-rowling-doxxing-protests J.K. Rowling, Whose Mansion Is on Wikipedia, Decries "Doxxing"]. them.us, 24 November 2021.</ref> However, this property was already known to the public as a listed building featured on tourist sites,<ref>Global News: [https://globalnews.ca/news/8394003/j-k-rowling-doxxing-home-address-trans-protest/ J.K. Rowling slams trans rights activists for 'doxxing' her during protest]</ref><ref>Stravaiging Around Scotland: [http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/the-whitehouse/ Whitehouse - Castle in Edinburgh]</ref> and has been featured on ''Harry Potter''-themed fan tours of Edinburgh without comment from Rowling.<ref>YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-QHHG06wCA HARRY POTTER IN EDINBURGH SCOTLAND, GREYFRIAR GRAVEYARD, ELEPHANT HOUSE, J.K. ROWLING'S HOUSE]</ref> The mansion also ends up in the news whenever Rowling pisses off her neighbours. In 2012, she earned their ire by building two 40-foot-high, "Hogwarts-style" treehouses in her garden.<ref>The Telegraph: [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/celebritynews/9506111/JK-Rowling-wins-permission-to-build-magical-treehouses-in-garden.html JK Rowling wins permission to build magical treehouses in garden]</ref><ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/aug/29/jk-rowling-hogwarts-tree-houses JK Rowling wins permission to build £250,000 Hogwarts-style tree houses]</ref> She created "traffic chaos" by closing down the road multiple times between 2015 to 2024 to allow her 30-foot-tall hedges to be trimmed.<ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/23/jk-rowling-hedge-trimming-blamed-traffic-chaos-edinburgh-home JK Rowling hedge-trimming blamed for traffic 'chaos' around Edinburgh home]</ref><ref>Edinburgh Evening News: [https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/traffic-halted-to-let-work-crew-tackle-jk-rowlings-massive-leylandii-hedge-3013329 Traffic halted to let work crew tackle JK Rowling's massive Leylandii hedge]</ref><ref>Deadline: [https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2022/07/13/j-k-rowling-closes-road-outside-her-2-2m-home-to-have-hedge-trimmed/ Scots author J.K Rowling closes road outside of £2.2 million 17th century home to trim back massive hedge]</ref><ref>EdinburghLive: [https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/jk-rowling-breaks-silence-over-28514398 JK Rowling breaks silence over backlash for trimming hedge outside Edinburgh home]</ref> The Edinburgh Council warned her that the overgrown hedges were blocking streetlights in 2019.<ref>Bart Dickson (May 18, 2019). [https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/jk-rowling-ordered-council-cut-16163103 "JK Rowling ordered to cut huge 30ft trees surrounding Edinburgh mansion"]. ''The Daily Record''.</ref> Rowling also owns a country estate called {{wpl|Killiechassie||,}} a centuries-old castle with its own [[Wikipedia]] article. She seems to expect total privacy and anonymity despite buying and living in famous landmarks. ====2022–2023: Throwing a literal transphobia party==== On March 12, 2022, Rowling tweeted<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220512185348/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1502679601335705603 Big love to you xxx], dated to Mar 12, 2022</ref> "Big love to you xxx" to [[Caroline Farrow]], an anti-gay and anti-trans [[CitizenGo]] activist who once harassed a trans woman so intensely that a High Court judge granted an injunction against her, ordering her to stop the harassment.<ref>PinkNews: [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/03/anti-lgbt-pundit-caroline-farrow-injunction-abusive-tweets/ Anti-LGBT pundit Caroline Farrow hit with injunction over ‘abusive tweets’], dated to May 3, 2019</ref> Farrow once expressed outrage over "deviant" gay penguins,<ref name=penguins>PinkNews: [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/07/03/children-not-emotionally-ready-deviant-gay-penguins-journalist/ Children not ’emotionally ready’ for ‘deviant’ gay penguins, says journalist], dated to Jul 3, 2019</ref> and accused Disneyland of engaging in "LGBT indoctrination" of children.<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220427053200/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FQ-2ASQWUAEjHFn?format=jpg&name=medium Image]</ref> It is not known whether Rowling was aware of this history of homophobia by Farrow, but she has never retracted her support or apologized after Farrow's views were widely reported. Farrow is also a [[Kiwi Farms]] user; police had received a complaint of her alleged activity on the site in 2022.<ref>David Gilbert (October 6, 2022). [https://www.vice.com/en/article/7k87vq/caroline-farrow-arrested-kiwi-farms "J.K. Rowling Ally Arrested for Allegedly Doxing a Trans Activist"]. VICE News.</ref> On March 18, 2022, South Wales Police’s LGBT+ Network established a kiosk with information about their efforts to combat anti-LGBT crimes and attitudes. The kiosk was set up near Bute Park where Doctor Gary Jenkins, who was [[Bisexuality|bisexual]], was beaten, robbed, subjected to homophobic abuse, and then [[murder]]ed. Prosecutor Dafydd Enoch said that the crime was motivated by "greed, [[homophobia]], and a straightforward liking for violence", and that it was "torture, pure and simple". When anti-LGBT Twitter users began to mock the kiosk as "virtue signalling", the South Wales Police Twitter account responded by saying "Good evening, supporting our communities is not virtual signalling and we make no apologies for doing so." On March 21, 2022, Rowling added to the pile-on by tweeting<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220823060152/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1505903152989720582 Virtual signalling. Like virtue signalling, but for people who aren’t really arsed. #VirtualSignalling], dated to Mar 21, 2022</ref> "Virtual signalling. Like virtue signalling, but for people who aren’t really arsed. #VirtualSignalling". She has opposed reform of gender recognition legislation in Scotland that aimed to make the process "less traumatic and inhumane for trans people" (according to Scotland's First Minister), because it would remove some of the obstacles to trans women being recognised as women.<ref name=indiewire2022>[https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/jk-rowling-transphobia-international-womens-day-rant-1234705640/ J.K. Rowling Doubles Down on Transphobia in International Women’s Day Twitter Rant], Indiewire, 8 March 2022</ref> She also tweeted that politically correct zealots would rename International Women's Day: "Apparently, under a Labour government, today will become We Who Must Not Be Named Day".<ref name=indiewire2022/> In April 2022, she attended a lunch with a number of other prominent TERFs at the River Cafe in Hammersmith, London. Other guests included Rosie Duffield, [[Helen Joyce]], [[Julie Bindel]], [[Kathleen Stock]], [[Maya Forstater]], and [[LGB Alliance]] co-founders.<ref>[https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/society/956404/inside-jk-rowlings-gender-wars-lunch Inside J.K. Rowling’s ‘gender wars’ lunch], ''The Week'', 12 April 2022</ref> Joyce, author of ''Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality'', has referred to trans people as "damaged", saying "every one of those people is someone who needs special accommodation in a sane world where we re-acknowledge the truth of sex"; she has also called for immediate action "reducing or keeping down the number of people who transition".<ref>[https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/06/03/helen-joyce-transgender-lgbtq/ ‘Gender critical’ author Helen Joyce says she wants to ‘reduce’ number of trans people: ‘Chilling’], Pink News, 3 June 2022</ref> Duffield has repeatedly called trans women "male-bodied people".<ref>[https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/11/18/labour-mp-rosie-duffield-bbc-politics/ Labour MP Rosie Duffield confronted after repeatedly calling trans women ‘male-bodied’ on the BBC], Pink News, 18 Nov 2021</ref> Duffield also called for trans people to be banned from "refuges, women’s prisons, single-sex wards and school toilets".<ref>[https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/11/rosie-duffield-anti-trans-gender-critical/ Labour MP Rosie Duffield explains ‘gender critical’ views in anti-trans tirade], Pink News, 11 September 2021</ref> On April 22, 2022, Rowling marked the beginning of Lesbian Visibility Week by "saluting the resilience and courage" of her friend [[Allison Bailey]].<ref name="LVW1">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/04/26/jk-rowling-linda-riley-lesbian-visibility-week-allison-bailey/ JK Rowling blasted as 'perfect example of how not to be an ally' by Lesbian Visibility Week founder]</ref> This lead LVW founder Linda Riley to tweet that she hadn't intended the observance to serve as a "vehicle to stir up more hate within our community."<ref name="LVW1" /> Rowling replied with a mocking tweet featuring a photo of what she deemed a "white, bearded, [[TERF glossary#Stonewall Law|Stonewall]]-approved lesbian."<ref name="LVW1" /> The photo was of Alex Drummond, a [[Wales|Welsh]] psychotherapist and author.<ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/aug/05/weekender-alex-drummond-psychotherapist Weekender: Alex Drummond, psychotherapist, 47]</ref> Drummond released two LGBT-interest books in 2011-2012.<ref>WorldCat: [https://search.worldcat.org/title/731045350 Queering the tranny: new perspectives on male transvestism and transsexualism]</ref><ref>WorldCat: [https://search.worldcat.org/title/820104595 Grrl Alex: a personal journey to a transgender identity]</ref> She gave a series of interviews in 2015 explaining why she kept her beard.<ref>BuzzFeed News: [https://www.buzzfeed.com/patrickstrudwick/this-transgender-woman-has-a-full-beard-and-she-couldnt-be-h This Trans Woman Kept Her Beard And Couldn't Be Happier]</ref><ref>Wales Online: [https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/there-no-legal-bars-woman-10297113 'There are no legal bars to a woman having a beard' Alex Drummond wants to broaden how people think about gender]</ref><ref>HuffPost: [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meet-the-trans-woman-queering-gender-with-her-full-beard_n_55affb34e4b0a9b948538d24 This Incredible Trans Woman Is Challenging The Way We Think About Gender]</ref> From all appearances, she's done little to earn anyone's umbrage, except exist as a bearded trans woman. Rowling lambasted so-called "[[mansplaining|beardsplainers]]" in an unrelated tweet in the first week of April 2022.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220831064808/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1510706840379797511</ref> Michael Deacon penned a ''[[The Telegraph|Telegraph]]'' piece bemoaning how "woke men" are "ruining beards" in response to this tweet.<ref>The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230115084856/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/columnists/2022/04/05/jk-rowling-right-woke-men-ruining-beards-rest-us/ JK Rowling is right. Woke men are ruining beards for the rest of us]</ref> On May 29, 2022, she expressed support<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230530171526/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1663267564443631616 But as I've already told her, she knows where I am.], dated to May 29, 2023</ref> for [[Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull]] (also known as Posie Parker) and implied that she would financially support her. Posie Parker gained notoriety for organizing an anti-transgender event that attracted the support of [[neo-Nazis]].<ref>The Guardian: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230325110008/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/25/anti-trans-activist-posie-parker-ends-new-zealand-tour-after-violent-protests-erupt Anti-trans activist Posie Parker ends New Zealand tour after violent protests erupt], dated to Mar 25, 2023</ref><ref>The Guardian: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230319031635/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/19/daniel-andrews-says-nazis-arent-welcome-as-victorian-government-considers-further-action-following-salutes Daniel Andrews says Nazis ‘aren’t welcome’ as Victorian government considers ‘further action’ following salutes], dated to Mar 18, 2023</ref> Parker is also known to have openly wished death upon innocent transgender people,<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230530212230/https://twitter.com/shaun_vids/status/1656294297208082432 Image]</ref> called for the sterilization (another form of genocide) of trans men,<ref>https://twitter.com/trans_safety/status/1493233608663908352</ref> and has admitted to lying about being a lesbian<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230608031418/https://twitter.com/ICanSeeForever1/status/1666337280955502593 Video], dated to Jun 7, 2023</ref> to dishonestly bolster her political argument against a gay man. Rowling has also taken it upon herself to speak for lesbians and gay people in general despite not being a lesbian. In July 2022, singer {{w|Macy Gray}} walked back transphobic comments made in a [[Piers Morgan]] interview, leading conservative pundit [[Matt Walsh]] to tweet that women who "publicly renounce the definition of 'woman' for fear of mean comments from trans activists deserve all the scorn they get."<ref name="Walsh">Advocate: [https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/7/11/jk-rowling-and-matt-walsh-blasted-online-over-shared-transphobia JK Rowling and Matt Walsh Bond Over Transphobia, Get Blasted Online]</ref><ref name="Walsh2">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/07/11/jk-rowling-matt-walsh/ JK Rowling criticised for praising ‘dangerous’ anti-trans film by far-right bigot Matt Walsh]</ref> Rowling replied to Walsh claiming that TERFs have received serious threats, telling him "If you don't yet understand what happens to women who stand up on this issue, back off."<ref name="Walsh" /><ref name="Walsh2" /> In the following exchange, Rowling criticised Walsh for "[[Stopped clock|shouting 'coward' at individual women]]" like Gray, but praised his propaganda film ''{{w|What Is a Woman?}}'' for "exposing the incoherence of gender identity theory."<ref name="Walsh" /><ref name="Walsh2" /> In September 2023, Rowling liked a shockingly insensitive tweet from radio presenter {{w|Julia Hartley-Brewer}} stating "At least the [[Taliban]] know what a woman is," which was made in response to someone explaining he had been compared to the Taliban for "supporting trans people's existence in society."<ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230902171336/https://twitter.com/Isi_baehr/status/1697942834446303672 J.K. Rowling said you DO gotta hand it to the Taliban], dated to September 2, 2023</ref><ref> Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230901184926/https://twitter.com/JuliaHB1/status/1696628290973270143 At least the Taliban know what a woman is], dated to August 29, 2023</ref> On July 11, 2022, Canadian author Will Johnson (@LiteraryGoon) tweeted a picture of his children at Rowling, stating that he planned to teach his "minions" to "stick to their principles even when it's unpopular."<ref name="ShaunFriends">[[Shaun]] on [[YouTube]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou_xvXJJk7k JK Rowling's New Friends] (relevant part begins at 20:20)</ref><ref name="Blast1">The Blast: [https://theblast.com/275422/j-k-rowling-under-fire-for-giving-fan-a-positive-reply/ J.K. Rowling Under Fire For… Giving Fan A Positive Reply?]</ref> Rowling replied telling Johnson that he had "beautiful minions!"<ref name="ShaunFriends" /><ref name="Blast1" /> Johnson published a tweet in 2021 threatening to murder trans-rights supporters in graphic detail.<ref name="ShaunFriends" /><ref name="Blast1" /> He was feted in ''[[The Post Millennial]]'' in 2019 after he was allegedly fired from a literary journal for defending [[Meghan Murphy]].<ref>The Post Millennial: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200103204446/https://www.thepostmillennial.com/canadian-literary-editor-fired-after-supporting-free-speech/ Canadian literary editor fired after supporting free speech]</ref> In October 2022, television host {{w|Graham Norton}} gave an interview at a literary festival, during which he was asked about cancel culture.<ref name="Norton1">Them: [https://www.them.us/story/graham-norton-twitter-jk-rowling Graham Norton Seemingly Driven Off Twitter For Suggesting We Listen to Trans People]</ref><ref name="Norton2">The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/graham-norton-jk-rowling-twitter-deleted-b2204432.html Graham Norton deletes Twitter after comments on JK Rowling and 'cancel culture' go viral]</ref><ref name="Norton3">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/10/17/graham-norton-twitter-trans-rights-jk-rowling/ Graham Norton 'hounded off Twitter' for suggesting we listen to trans people]</ref> He stated that cancel culture would be more accurately called "accountability."<ref name="Norton1" /><ref name="Norton2" /><ref name="Norton3" /> When asked specifically if this applied to the backlash against Rowling's anti-trans punditry, he gave a measured comment that the media should "[[Argument_from_authority#Why_you_should_defer_to_authority_.28correct_uses.29|talk to trans people, talk to the parents of trans kids, talk to doctors, talk to psychiatrists]]" rather than amplifying [[celebrity]] opinions.<ref name="Norton2" /><ref name="Norton3" /> Musician {{w|Billy Bragg}} approvingly tweeted a clip of Norton's interview.<ref name="Norton1" /> Rowling quoted-tweeted Bragg with a rant excoriating an alleged "spate of bearded men stepping confidently onto their soapboxes to define what a woman is and [[Straw man|throw their support behind rape and death threats]] to those who dare disagree."<ref name="Norton1" /><ref name="Norton3" /> Norton deleted his Twitter account a few days later after a barrage of hate from anti-trans activists.<ref name="Norton1" /><ref name="Norton2" /><ref name="Norton3" /> By now, people had noticed Rowling's bizarre fixation on beards, leading her to tweet that she "like[s] beards" except "when they're attached to [[misogyny|misogynists]]."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20231023114409/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1580611061698334720</ref> In Rowling's view, a reasonable plea to listen to trans people and experts represents misogyny, while the bar seems to have been set at simply ''existing'' for the aforementioned Welsh woman. On November 21, 2022, the day after five people were murdered in a [[mass shooting]] at a gay bar in [[Colorado]], Rowling liked a tweet by far-right personality [[Libs of TikTok]], which mocked another Twitter user for criticizing [[Kanye West]] amidst his anti-semitism and white supremacy controversy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelleher |first=Patrick |date=November 23, 2022 |title=JK Rowling 'likes' tweet by far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ Libs of TikTok |work=PinkNews |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/11/23/jk-rowling-libs-of-tik-tok-twitter/ |access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/MrzlN Archived "likes" page of J.K. Rowling], showing the Libs of TikTok tweet</ref><ref>Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20221122192422/https://twitter.com/trans_safety/status/1594835928656363521 Archived screenshot]</ref> Libs of TikTok's well-known, relentless anti-LGBT fearmongering has been credited with setting off a wave of violent threats against children's hospitals and drag events.<ref>Washington Post: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/09/02/lgbtq-threats-hospitals-libs-of-tiktok/ Twitter account Libs of TikTok blamed for harassment of children’s hospitals], dated to Sept 2, 2022</ref><ref>Them: [https://www.them.us/story/libs-of-tik-tok-twitter-facebook-instagram-explained-childrens-hospitals-grooming How Libs of TikTok Became an Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Machine], dated Sept 30, 2022</ref> On June 16, 2023, Rowling liked a direct tweet from [[Three Percenters]] movement leader Erik Rohde proclaiming "we stand with you and III% is{{sic}} proudly members of House Gryffindor".<ref name="Rodhe1">Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230616122553/https://twitter.com/KatyMontgomerie/status/1669680559524552706 JK Rowling liking tweets from a "Three Percenter" leader. The "Three Percenters" are a far right militia that are considered a terrorist group in Canada], dated to Jun 16, 2023</ref><ref name="Rodhe2">Twitter: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230902173238/https://twitter.com/ErikIsland3/status/1669113631630589953 Just wanted to say we stand with you and III% is proudly members of House Gryffindor 🧙‍♂️], dated to June 14, 2023</ref> Rodhe's tweet was made in reply to an earlier tweet by himself declaring "Fu<k [[Antifascist Action|ANTIFA]]" in reference to a counter-rally planned for June 17 against an anti-trans protest in [[Washington State]].<ref name="Rodhe1" /><ref name="Rodhe2" /><ref>Lynnwood Today: [https://lynnwoodtoday.com/heated-protest-over-transgender-rights-draws-hundreds-to-lynnwood/ Heated protest over transgender rights draws hundreds to Lynnwood]</ref> The Three Percenters are a far-right [[militia]] recognised as an extremist group by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name="SPLC">SPLC: [https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/three-percenters Three Percenters]</ref> The movement was officially deemed a terrorist group by the [[Canada|Canadian]] government in 2021.<ref>CBC: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/terrorist-list-three-percenters-1.6079984 Three Percenters, neo-Nazi group added to Canada's terrorist list]</ref> Symptomatic of her radicalization, Rowling has tweeted in support of a supposed "Black Women’s Caucus Statement Against [[Gender ideology|Gender Ideology]]" that [[Women's Declaration International]] – an anti-trans hate group whose leaders are all white – has concocted.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1649464902166126602?lang=en Tweet by J.K. Rowling]</ref> On October 15, 2023, Rowling turned up as a surprise guest on a panel at a [[FiLiA]] conference in Glasgow, stating she could "take the hit" as someone who will "always be able to feed [her] family."<ref name="FiLiA1">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/17/lgbtq-groups-protest-gender-critical-conference-hosting-jk-rowling-as-a-speaker/ LGBTQ+ groups protest gender critical conference hosting JK Rowling as a speaker]</ref><ref name="FiLiA2">The National: [https://archive.ph/gWebn JK Rowling speaks at FiLiA feminist conference labelled 'transphobic']</ref><ref name="FiLiA3">The Times: [https://archive.ph/vHLJu JK Rowling makes surprise appearance at feminist conference in Glasgow]</ref> The appearance is believed to be Rowling's first time speaking publicly on trans issues and was reportedly not publicised beforehand.<ref name="FiLiA2" /><ref name="FiLiA3" /> Two days later, she tweeted a photo (which was at that point more than five years old<ref>Nick Duffy (July 11, 2018). [https://www.thepinknews.com/2018/07/11/trans-women-are-women-london-landmarks/ "'Trans women are women' projected onto London landmark after Pride hijack controversy"]. ''PinkNews''.</ref>) of the text "Repeat after us: trans women are women" projected on a government building, adding the blatantly transphobic response "No."<ref name="Prison1">Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/books/j-k-rowling-would-do-prison-time-for-transgender-views/ J.K. Rowling says she would 'happily' do prison time for controversial transgender views]</ref> This prompted a series of batshit tweets in which she [[persecution complex|fantasised about being sent to prison]] for [[misgendering]] trans people, declaring that she'd "happily do two years" over "compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex."<ref name="Prison1" /><ref name="Prison2">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/19/jk-rowling-correct-pronouns-trans-jail/ JK Rowling would prefer two years in jail over using a trans person’s correct pronouns]</ref><ref name="Prison3">Out Magazine: [https://www.out.com/celebs/j-k-rowling#rebelltitem1 J.K. Rowling Says She'd Rather Go to Prison Than Correctly Gender a Trans Person]</ref> On November 3, 2023, ''The Australian'' ran a story about how the state of South Australia had implemented a policy of using preferred pronouns in court.<ref>The Australian: [https://archive.is/jQvrl South Australia court calls for use of preferred gender pronouns]</ref> Rowling fired off a tweet declaring it "state-sanctioned abuse" to ask a woman to refer to "her male rapist or violent assaulter as 'she' in court."<ref name="ITM2023">Inside the Magic: [https://insidethemagic.net/2023/11/jk-rowling-trans-women-rapists-tweet-jc1/ J.K. Rowling Equates Trans Women to Rapists]</ref><ref group=note>Such policies apply to ''all'' court proceedings rather than solely to cases involving sexual assault. They aren't designed to protect the feelings of rapists, but to ensure that [[due process]] isn't jeopardized by systemic bias or unfair treatment, and thus reduce the chances of guilty parties being freed on legal technicalities. British TERFs seem unwilling to accept that not all jurisdictions {{w|Rape of males#United Kingdom|legally define "rape"}} as non-consensual penile penetration (thus precluding AFAB offenders) like the UK.</ref> A Twitter user pointed out the [[fallacy]] of "treating trans women like predators" when they are "statistically far more likely to be [sexual assault] victims."<ref name="ITM2023" /> A 2015 U.S. study found that nearly half of surveyed trans people reported having experienced sexual violence.<ref>National Center for Transgender Equality: [https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS-Full-Report-Dec17.pdf The Report of the 2015 Transgender Equality Survey]</ref> Surveys in [[Canada]] and [[Australia]] have also found trans people to be at increased risk compared to cis people.<ref>The Sydney Morning Herald: [https://www.smh.com.au/national/what-s-in-your-pants-gender-diverse-people-exposed-to-high-rates-of-sexual-violence-20190917-p52s3f.html 'What's in your pants?': Gender diverse people exposed to high rates of sexual violence]</ref><ref>Statistics Canada: [https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2020001/article/00009-eng.htm Experiences of violent victimization and unwanted sexual behaviours among gay, lesbian, bisexual and other sexual minority people, and the transgender population, in Canada, 2018]</ref> Despite this evidence, Rowling smeared the Twitter user as a "rapists' rights activist," accusing them, unironically, of ignoring facts that "contradict [their] fallacious argument."<ref name="ITM2023" /> Courts SA released a statement calling Rowling's claims "completely unfounded."<ref>1news: [https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/07/jk-rowling-chided-for-unfounded-claim-on-south-australia-courts/ J.K. Rowling chided for 'unfounded claim' on South Australia courts]</ref> ====2024: Going full Graham Linehan==== On February 2, 2024, Rowling broke a period of Twitter inactivity to join the [[Moms for Liberty#Book banning|anti-LGBT book-banning crusade]], decrying the Glasgow Women's Library for displaying an indie comic about trans lesbians.<ref name="gwl1">https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1753395762514251883</ref><ref name="gwl2">https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1753418692463862204</ref> Initially, she characterised the zine as a "delightful penis-centred work" intended to "[[TERF glossary#Lesbian erasure|shame and coerce lesbians out of same-sex orientation]],"<ref name="gwl1" /> but shortly after described it as "cent[ring] the desires of straight men."<ref name="gwl2" /> On Valentine's Day, Rowling tarred Jonathan Liew, lead ''[[Guardian]]'' sports writer, as a "'progressive' misogynist" for a piece defending {{wpl|Parkrun||,}} a non-competitive fun run, against gender-critical fury over its lack of sex segregation.<ref>The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240214195939/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/14/jk-rowling-labels-guardian-writer-progressive-misogynist/ JK Rowling labels Guardian journalist 'progressive misogynist' over Parkrun trans row]</ref> It was also noted around this time that Rowling had liked a series of November 2023 tweets mocking and misgendering [[heavy metal|metal]] guitarist Katy Montgomerie for discussing her experiences with [[domestic violence]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240209163616/https://twitter.com/WistfulOtter/status/1755366943073112184</ref> On February 16, 2024, Rowling donated £70,000 to a [[crowdfunding|crowdfund]] launched by {{wpl|For Women Scotland||,}} an anti-trans group founded by Magdalen Berns.<ref name="fws1">The Times: [https://archive.is/yAOS2 JK Rowling donates £70k for legal challenge on defining a woman]</ref><ref name="fws2">Pink News: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/19/jk-rowling-for-women-scotland-donation-legal-definition-woman/ JK Rowling reportedly donates £70,000 to group's Supreme Court appeal over 'woman' definition]</ref> FWS plan to launch a Supreme Court challenge to legally enshrine a definition of "'sex' [...] referring to [[biological sex|biology]]."<ref name="fws1" /><ref name="fws2" /> The case will ostensibly be an appeal of a 2022 Scottish ruling concerning a law requiring that public boards in Scotland be made up of 50% women.<ref name="fws1" /><ref name="fws2" /><ref name="fws3">The Telegraph: [https://archive.is/eIEz2GC JK Rowling donates £70k to challenge ruling that men can become women]</ref> This decision, much to the consternation of UK transphobes, held that trans women legally count as women.<ref name="fws1" /><ref name="fws2" /><ref name="fws3" /> TERFs have made no secret of the fact that they're following the [[anti-abortion]] playbook of mounting successive regional legal challenges in the hope of eventually winning a landmark national ruling like ''[[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization|Dobbs]]''. Daniel Sanderson of ''[[The Telegraph]]'' crowed that FWS are seeking an "'historic' Supreme Court ruling stating that men cannot become women."<ref name="fws3" /> Commentators have noted that the challenge could lead to a rollback of existing legal recognition and protections for trans people in the UK if successful.<ref>[https://archive.is/yhDHo Tweet by Thomas Willett]</ref><ref>[https://archive.is/HmRJh Tweet by India Willoughby]</ref> As [[TERF_glossary#Ultra_.2F_non-ultra|TERFs squabbled over pronouns]], and UK prime minister [[Rishi Sunak]] faced widespread backlash for his transphobia, Rowling zeroed in on trans women in the [[prison]] system. This began with a February 20 broadside accusing trans-rights supporters of using incarcerated cis women as "validation tools or emotional support props for trans-identified male sex offenders."<ref name="prison1">https://web.archive.org/web/20240223004741/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1759940576340770987</ref> In this four-pagagraph tweet, Rowling claimed that "activists" are "knowingly forcing [cis women prisoners] to live in fear of, and, in some proven cases, to suffer abuse."<ref name="prison1" /> Rowling held that housing cis women with trans women constitutes "cruel and unusual punishment" due to the potential risk of sexual violence. Meanwhile, research has consistently found that ''trans women'' are at greater risk in prison.<ref name="prison2">CNN: [https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/23/us/trans-women-incarceration/index.html Trans women are still incarcerated with men and it's putting their lives at risk]</ref> A 2007 study found that 59% of trans inmates in [[California]] reported experiencing sexual assault while incarcerated in contrast to 4.4% of the general prison population.<ref>Valerie Jenness ''et al.'', [https://bpb-us-e2.wpmucdn.com/sites.uci.edu/dist/0/1149/files/2013/06/Jenness-et-al._PREA-Report.pdf Violence in California Correctional Facilities: An Empirical Examination of Sexual Assault] (2007)</ref> In 2016, an [[Australia]]n trans woman revealed that, while serving time for auto theft in a men's prison, she was raped over 2000 times.<ref>News.com.au: [https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/a-transgender-woman-talks-about-life-in-a-male-prison/news-story/a6da09f95a36857eeee95f16028b06eb A transgender woman talks about life in a male prison]</ref> Rowling quickly betrayed that her outrage was born more of a desire to [[Cherry picking|cherry pick]] crime statistics to prove that [[biological determinism|AMAB people are inherently violent while AFAB people are not]]. On February 26, ''Sky News'' published a story about the conviction of Scarlet Blake, a trans woman, for murdering a random man in Oxford in 2021.<ref>Sky News: [https://news.sky.com/story/scarlet-blake-who-had-obsession-with-death-jailed-for-life-for-murdering-man-13081049 Cat killer Scarlet Blake who had 'obsession with death' jailed for life for murdering man]</ref> In response, Rowling tweeted, "I'm so sick of this shit. This is not a woman. These are [[No True Scotsman|#NotOurCrimes]]."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240301044254/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1762187612352020860#m</ref> She re-tweeted an open letter from journalist Louise Tickle condemning the ''Guardian'' for not initially reporting Blake's trans status.<ref name="tickle1">[https://archive.is/mA90J Archived tweet by J. K. Rowling]</ref> Tickle insisted this editorial choice "falsif[ied] the public record" and caused the "wrong perception that women are suddenly more aggressive."<ref name="tickle1" /> On March 3, Rowling argued that bans on "men" in "women's spaces" allow alleged interlopers to be "challenged" for "breaking a rule decent men respect."<ref name="iw1">https://web.archive.org/web/20240304214247/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1764388015118442533</ref> Twitter @[[Owen Jones|OwenJones]]Stan replied with a .gif of trans newsreader {{wpl|India Willoughby||,}} asking, "So you are saying this lady should use the men's locker room then?!"<ref name="iw3">[https://twitter.com/OwenJonesStan/status/1764398980698394784#m Archived tweet by @OwenJonesStan]</ref><ref name="iw4">The Independent: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240304204520/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-twitter-india-willoughby-trans-b2506793.html JK Rowling deliberately misgenders trans activist India Willoughby]</ref><ref name="iw5">Erin in the Morning: [https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/jk-rowling-transphobia-rowling-calls JK Rowling Transphobia: Rowling Calls Trans Woman Journalist "A Man...Cosplaying]</ref> Rowling responded the next day with a [[ad hominem|blatantly transphobic attack]] on Willoughby, calling her a "[[autogynephilia|man revelling in his misogynistic performance]] of what he thinks 'woman' means: narcissistic, shallow and exhibitionist."<ref name="iw4" /><ref name="iw5" /><ref name="iw6">[https://archive.is/lQH5B Archived tweet by J. K. Rowling]</ref> This was followed shortly after with a second tweet accusing Willoughby of "cosplaying a misogynistic male fantasy of what a woman is."<ref name="iw4" /><ref name="iw5" /><ref name="iw7">[https://archive.is/VHfGE Archived tweet by J. K. Rowling]</ref> These comments were almost certainly the first time Rowling openly and unambiguously [[Misgendering|misgendered]] a trans public figure. Byline TV (a branch of ''Byline Times'') released an exclusive interview with Willoughby on March 6.<ref name="iw8">https://twitter.com/BylineTV/status/1765484416275472570</ref><ref name="iw9">Variety: [https://variety.com/2024/film/global/jk-rowling-police-report-india-willoughby-alleged-transphobia-1235933347/ Broadcaster Says She Reported J.K. Rowling to the Police Over Alleged Transphobia as ‘Harry Potter’ Author Threatens Harassment Claim]</ref><ref name="iw10">Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/jk-rowling-reported-to-police-transphobia-uk-india-willoughby-8605704 J.K. Rowling reported to police for alleged transphobia by broadcaster]</ref> The interviewer, Caolan Robertson, formerly worked for [[white nationalist]] [[Tommy Robinson]], but has since disavowed his association with the extreme right.<ref>Pink News: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/04/18/caolan-robertson-gay-former-extremist-far-right-cult-homophobia-tommy-robinson/ Gay former extremist Caolan Robertson says leaving the far-right was like escaping 'a cult']</ref> In the interview, Willoughby stated she received "putrid" abuse on social media in the wake Rowling's outburst, revealing that she reported the author to the police on March 5.<ref name="iw8" /><ref name="iw9" /><ref name="iw10" /> Byline TV's Twitter account suggested this report "could lead to Rowling's arrest."<ref name="iw8" /> Transphobes launched a fresh wave of attacks. Robertson put out a video clarifying that he'd extended an interview invitation to Rowling.<ref>https://twitter.com/BylineTV/status/1765529551117971581</ref><ref name="iw11">Mediate: [https://www.mediaite.com/uk/bylinetv-producer-apologises-for-explicit-outburst-at-jk-rowling/ BylineTV Producer Apologises For Explicit Outburst At JK Rowling]</ref> Rowling responded by accusing Robertson of "call[ing] India 'him' twice" in the video.<ref>https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1765685200174862555</ref><ref group=note>Robertson used "them" twice after using "her." This is clear in both the subtitles and the audio.</ref> This lead to a tit-for-tat culminating in Robertson calling Rowling a "[[cunt]]."<ref name="iw11" /> Robertson offered a grovelling apology to Rowling for his "unforgivable and inexcusable" language on March 8.<ref name="iw11" /> Rowling accepted this "spontaneously made" apology and asked "any supporters of mine giving Caolan grief to please stop now."<ref name="iw11" /> (She predictably hasn't told her flying monkeys to lay off Willoughby and every other trans person she's targeted.) Northumbria Police stated they would not be pursuing Willoughby's complaint since it "did not meet the criminal threshold."<ref>The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-india-willoughby-police-trans-b2509754.html India Willoughby's JK Rowling complaint did not meet criminal threshold, police say]</ref> According to Willoughby, UK [[hate crime]] law only covers [[hate speech|speech]] targeting people on the basis of race or religion, but Rowling's tweets were recorded as a "non-crime hate incident."<ref>https://twitter.com/IndiaWilloughby/status/1766214992364269598</ref> On 13 March 2024, Rowling [[Holocaust denial|denied that the Nazis persecuted trans people]], saying the idea is "[[delusion|a fever dream]]".<ref name="JKRForward">Mira Fox (March 13, 2024). [https://forward.com/culture/592580/j-k-rowling-holocaust-denial-trans/ "It wasn't just the goblins — is J.K. Rowling doing Holocaust denial now?"]. ''The Forward''.</ref><ref>Trudy Ring (March 15, 2024). [https://www.advocate.com/transgender/jk-rowling-nazis-persecuted-transgender "Yes, J.K. Rowling, the Nazis persecuted trans people, burned books"]. ''The Advocate''.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Erin |title=JK Rowling Holocaust Denialism: Author Pushes Claims That Trans People Were Not A Target |url=https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/jk-rowling-holocaust-denialism-author |work=www.erininthemorning.com |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/vXdql |archive-date=2024-03-13 |language=en |date=2024-03-13 |url-status=live}}</ref> She then cited a thread by Malcolm Clark, an [[LGB Alliance]] co-founder and incidentally, non-historian.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Roisin |title=Trans comedian Jen Ives verbally abused at LGB Alliance conference in new video |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/news/jen-ives-lgb-alliance-video-b2042053.html |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Y0Y3k |archive-date=2022-03-23 |language=en |date=23 March 2022 |quote=LGB Alliance founder Malcolm Clark also shared... |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McKenna |first1=Kevin |title=Scots gay pioneer: ‘It’s depressing that a lot of our good work is being trashed’ |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23641723.gay-pioneer-its-depressing-lot-good-work-trashed/ |work=The Herald |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/4Zwn0 |archive-date=2023-07-08 |language=en |date=8 July 2023 |quote=Mr Clark is ... a key figure in the LGB Alliance |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rowling |first1=J.K. |title=J.K. Rowling on X: "Thread on the persistent claims about trans peopl… |quote=Thread on the persistent claims about trans people and the Nazis 👇 |url=https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1767928717538644460 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Ia36n |archive-date=2024-03-13 |language=en |date=13 March 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Clark's thread said that transgender people weren't a "key target" of the Nazis',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Malcolm |title=Malcolm Clark on Twitter: "1./ Trans Healthcare and the Nazis. The LG… |url=https://twitter.com/TwisterFilm/status/1662967081191497728 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Kh8rg |archive-date=2023-05-29 |language=en |date=28 May 2023 |quote=The LGBTQ+ lobby likes to claim trans people were a key target of the Nazis. They weren't. |url-status=live}}</ref> then conflated gender reassignment surgery with Nazi [[Eugenics#Nazi_Germany|eugenics]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Malcolm |title=Malcolm Clark on Twitter: "21./ The sad truth is trans healthcare's f… |url=https://twitter.com/TwisterFilm/status/1662967146245242880 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/jmkqA |archive-date=13 March 2024 |language=en |date=28 May 2023 |quote=The sad truth is trans healthcare's founder and first surgeon championed eugenics. Together they invented a new way to sterilise patients, involving fake genitals created surgically. Two years after inventing the vaginoplasty Gohrbandt was busy sterilising the disabled. |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Nazi human experimentation|concentration camp experiments]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Malcolm |title=Malcolm Clark on X: "12./ Up to 15000 gay men were sent to concentrat… |url=https://twitter.com/TwisterFilm/status/1662967125512781826 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/85XAn |archive-date=13 March 2024 |language=en |date=29 May 2023 |quote=Only ten years after he conducted the first 'sex change surgery' Gohrbandt helped design experiments at Dachau which have become a byword for immoral medical experimentation. |url-status=live}}</ref> Contrary to Clark's claims, however, the Nazis did specifically persecute transgender people.<ref name="JKRStranger">Vivian McCall (March 20, 2024). [https://www.thestranger.com/queer/2024/03/20/79436234/yes-jk-rowling-the-nazis-did-persecute-trans-people "Yes, JK Rowling, the Nazis Did Persecute Trans People"]. ''The Stranger''.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Marhoefer |first1=Laurie |title=Transgender Life and Persecution under the Nazi State: Gutachten on the Vollbrecht Case |journal={{wpl|Central European History}} |date=December 2023 |volume=56 |issue=4 |pages=595–601 |doi=10.1017/S0008938923000468}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nunn |first1=Zavier |title=Trans Liminality and the Nazi State |journal={{wpl|Past & Present (journal)|Past & Present}} |date=24 July 2023 |volume=260 |issue=1 |pages=123–157 |doi=10.1093/pastj/gtac018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marie-Luise Vollbrecht verliert Streit um Meinungsäußerung |url=https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/bildung/marie-luise-vollbrecht-verliert-streit-um-meinungsaeusserung-a-fabb1812-5a5c-4b52-8982-590f5b0e6f2f |work=[[Der Spiegel]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/OY6gy |archive-date=2023-10-06 |language=de |date=11 November 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schillace |first1=Brandy |title=The Forgotten History of the World's First Trans Clinic |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-forgotten-history-of-the-worlds-first-trans-clinic/ |work=[[Scientific American]] |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/AkziE |archive-date=2024-03-13 |language=en |date=1 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Smithson"/>{{efn|Quite similar statements to Clark's were also made by social conservative pundit Matt Walsh in June 2023 shortly after Clark's May 2023 thread that Rowling boosted about a year after — and they remain just as malformed whoever said it (see: [[Matt Walsh#"Inventing" transgender people|Matt Walsh § "Inventing" transgender people]]).}} According to the {{wpl|Museum of Jewish Heritage||,}} the Nazis "brutally targeted the trans community, deporting many trans people to concentration camps and wiping out vibrant community structures."<ref>(2022). [https://mjhnyc.org/events/transgender-experiences-in-weimar-and-nazi-germany/ "Transgender Experiences in Weimar and Nazi Germany"]. ''Museum of Jewish Heritage''.</ref> Laurie Marhoefer, a historian specializing in the subject, states that the: "author of a 1938 book on 'the problem of transvestitism' wrote that before [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]] was in power, there was not much that could be done about transgender people, but that now, in [[Nazi Germany]], they could be put in concentration camps or subjected to forced [[castration]]. That was good, he believed, because the 'asocial mindset' of trans people and their supposedly frequent 'criminal activity … justifies draconian measures by the state.'"<ref name="Smithson">{{cite web |title=New Research Reveals How the Nazis Targeted Transgender People |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/new-research-reveals-how-the-nazis-targeted-transgender-people-180982931/ |work=Smithsonian Magazine |access-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/cdjcM |archive-date=2023-10-06 |language=en |date=21 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the Jewish journalist Rivkah Brown pointed out Rowling was "now a Holocaust denier" in a March 13 tweet, Rowling threatened Brown with legal action, saying "I'd be delighted to meet you in court, Rivkah, to discuss holocaust denial."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rowling |first1=J.K. |title=J.K. Rowling on X: "This, from @rivkahbrown, a journalist who wrote a… |url=https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1768214270288736308 |work=[[Twitter]] |access-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Uqc4n |archive-date=14 March 2024 |language=en |date=14 March 2024 |quote=I'd be delighted to meet you in court, Rivkah, to discuss holocaust denial. |url-status=live}}</ref> This forced Brown to issue an apology on April 15.<ref name="britthayes">{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Britt |title=J.K. Rowling's Legal Threat to Journalists for Calling Out Holocaust Denial Backfires |url=https://www.themarysue.com/j-k-rowling-holocaust-denial-nazi-transphobic/ |work=[[The Mary Sue]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/LLs9I |archive-date=2024-04-15 |language=en |date=15 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rowling has previously threatened legal action over commentary on her transphobia, including against Canadian politician Nicola Spurling (2020),<ref name="spurling" /> UK youth news site ''The Day'' (2020),<ref name="white">{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Adam |title=JK Rowling receives apology from children's site after legal threats over trans claims |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-trans-people-row-apology-transphobia-the-day-harry-potter-a9635346.html |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Ulnql |archive-date=2020-07-26 |language=en |date=23 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> and Irish actor JJ Welles (2023).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Sophie |title=JJ Welles: Actor apologises for calling JK Rowling a 'Nazi' |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/14/jj-welles-jk-rowling-apology-nazi/ |work=[[PinkNews]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/lxMUg |archive-date=2023-02-14 |language=en |date=14 February 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> UK libel law enables [[SLAPP suit|SLAPP lawsuits]] of this kind to a much greater extent than other countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=UK vows to stop the super-rich using courts to silence critics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60773942 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/bLQyM |archive-date=2024-04-14 |language=en |date=17 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Elgot |first1=Jessica |title=UK to clamp down on libel ‘lawfare’ by the rich in English courts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2022/mar/17/libel-lawfare-english-courts-slapps |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/5tiaQ |archive-date=2022-09-12 |language=en |date=17 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Croft |first1=Jane |title=Calls for reform of England’s libel laws to prevent abuse by wealthy litigants |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae8512d3-663e-4039-ba3e-6de4f8ca5120 |work=[[Financial Times]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/Hhq1C |archive-date=2022-03-15 |language=en |date=2022-03-15 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Harrington |first1=Kayla |title=India Willoughby Explains the Troubling Reason J.K. Rowling Is 'Beyond Criticism' in British Media |url=https://www.themarysue.com/india-willoughby-explains-j-k-rowling-is-above-criticism-in-british-media/ |work=[[The Mary Sue]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/wAiMF |archive-date=2023-02-26 |language=en |date=23 February 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> News of the SLAPP threat against Brown lead "[[Streisand effect|JK Rowling is a Holocaust [Denier]]]" to trend on Twitter on April 16.<ref name="britthayes" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fox |first1=Mira |last2=|first2=|title=J.K. Rowling didn’t want to be called a Holocaust denier. That backfired. |url=https://forward.com/culture/603271/jk-rowling-holocaust-streisand-effect/ |work=The Forward |access-date= |archive-url= |archive-date= |language= |date=16 April 2024 |url-status}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Vaishnavi |first1=Arya |last2=|first2=|title=Why is JK Rowling being called a ‘Holocaust Denier’? Here's why it is trending on X |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/why-is-jk-rowling-being-called-a-holocaust-denier-heres-why-it-is-trending-on-x-101713265815428.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date= |archive-url= |archive-date= |language= |date=16 April 2024 |url-status}}</ref> On 1 April 2024, Rowling posted a Twitter thread listing several trans women public figures (including Willoughby) alongside violent sexual offenders, in what [[MSNBC]] reporter Clarissa-Jan Lim deemed "an apparent attempt to draw a connection between trans people and sexual perversion".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lavietes |first1=Matt |title=J.K. Rowling will not be arrested for comments about transgender women, police say |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/jk-rowling-will-not-arrested-comments-transgender-women-police-say-rcna146065 |work=[[NBC News]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/aD8BK |archive-date=2024-04-03 |language=en |date=2 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lim |first1=Clarissa-Jan |title=J.K. Rowling challenged Scotland’s new hate crime law by attacking trans women |url=https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/jk-rowling-scotland-hate-crime-laws-transphobic-rcna146183 |work=[[MSNBC]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/CBMjU |archive-date=2024-04-03 |language=en |date=3 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rowling sarcastically called the listed individuals women throughout the thread, but then declared they "[[misgendering|aren't women at all, but men]], every last one of them" in an April Fool's gotcha the very end.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ferrigine |first1=Gabriella |title="Arrest me!": J.K. Rowling posts anti-trans rant, responding to Scottish hate crime law |url=https://www.salon.com/2024/04/01/arrest-me-jk-rowling-posts-anti-trans-rant-responding-to-scottish-hate-law/ |work=[[Salon.com|Salon]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/mMstn |archive-date=15 April 2024 |language=en |date=1 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rowling intentionally posted the thread on the day a new hate crime law came into effect in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Andrew |title=JK Rowling, Joe Rogan and Elon Musk are fuming over Scotland’s hate crime law. Here’s why. |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/scotlands-controversial-hate-crime-law-triggered-jk-rowling-joe-rogan-elon-musk/ |work=[[Politico]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/6jo3c |archive-date=2024-04-05 |language=en |date=4 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Critics of this law fear it might [[chilling effect|chill]] [[free speech]] and criminalise the expression of TERFish views.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sandle |first1=Paul |title=J.K. Rowling will not face action under Scottish hate crime laws, police say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-government-backs-jk-rowling-scottish-hate-crime-law-challenge-2024-04-02/ |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/BXukI |archive-date=2024-04-03 |language=en |date=2024-04-02 |url-status=live}}</ref> In true [[edgelord]] fashion, Rowling, who was holidaying "out of the country" at the time, said "I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=James |last2=Hastie |first2=Paul |title=JK Rowling in ‘arrest me’ challenge over Scottish hate crime law |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51j64lk2l8o |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/64VDQ |archive-date=2024-04-01 |language=en |date=1 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> A police spokesperson clarified that her comments were not criminal and no action would be taken.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Libby |last2=correspondent |first2=Libby Brooks Scotland |title=JK Rowling will not be arrested under new Scottish hate law, say police |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/02/jk-rowling-will-not-be-arrested-under-new-scottish-hate-law-say-police |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=http://archive.today/yVgS3 |archive-date=2024-04-02 |language=en |date=2 April 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Tarnishing legacy as a beloved author=== ====Anti-trans personality cult==== [[File:JKRLadiesLunch.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Guests at a [[TERF glossary#.23JKRLadiesLunch|#JKRLadiesLunch]] wearing cut-out masks of J. K.'s face.]] A bizarre [[personality cult]] has emerged in TERFdom since Rowling joined its ranks. The phrase "[[TERF glossary#I Love J. K. Rowling|I Love J. K. Rowling]]" has become one of the most recognisable transphobic [[dog whistle]]s.<ref name="independent">"[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-transphobia-poster-edinburgh-station-posie-parker-transgender-a9645481.html I love JK Rowling’ poster taken down at Edinburgh railway station due to ‘political nature’]", ''The Independent''</ref><ref>"[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/i-love-j-k-rowling-sign-makes-brief-controversial-appearance-in-vancouver-1.5722244 I Love J.K. Rowling sign makes brief, controversial appearance in Vancouver]", ''CBC News''</ref> Far-right anti-trans activist [[Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull]] has famously plastered the slogan on billboards and merchandise.<ref name="independent" /> Rowling has claimed that 90% of her fans agree with her transphobia but are "[[Silent Majority|afraid to speak up]]" due to "[[cancel culture|fear for their jobs]] and [[persecution complex|even for their personal safety]]."<ref>[https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/12/j-k-rowling-says-90-fans-agree-transphobia-theyre-afraid-say-publicly/ J.K. Rowling says 90% of her fans agree with her transphobia but they’re afraid to say so publicly], lgbtqnation</ref> One prominent example of this cult of personality is the mythical status that Rowling's [[#2017-2019: The mask starts to slip| #IStandWithMaya tweet]] has attained within so-called gender-critical circles. Disgraced screenwriter turned professional transphobe [[Graham Linehan]] proclaimed the tweet's anniversary of December 19 to be "Gender Critical Coming Out Day" in 2021.<ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/11/12/gender-critical-coming-out-day-trans-graham-linehan-mumsnet/ A planned 'gender critical coming out day' sparks searing backlash: 'It's despicable in every way']</ref><ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/11/11/gender-critical-coming-out-day-trans-graham-linehan/ Graham Linehan and anti-trans activists plan pathetic, pitiful Christmas campaign for TERFs]</ref><ref>LGBTQ Nation: [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/11/new-holiday-honors-day-j-k-rowling-came-opponent-trans-rights/ New 'holiday' honors day J.K. Rowling “came out” as an opponent of trans rights]</ref> By 2022, the hateful holiday had come to be known as "TERFmas," and Rowling personally wished a follower "Merry Terfmas."<ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/12/19/what-does-merry-terfmas-mean-jk-rowling-trans/ What does ‘Merry Terfmas’ mean? Anti-trans activists’ pitiful Christmas campaign, explained]</ref><ref>The Advocate: [https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2022/12/19/jk-rowling-lambasted-merry-terfmas-tweet J.K. Rowling Lambasted for 'Merry Terfmas' Tweet]</ref> In 2020, transphobes began circulating a [[conspiracy theory]] that [[Twitter]] was stealing likes from the hallowed tweet, supposedly as part of a sinister trans-activist plot to artificially lower the like count.<ref name="Gemma">Gemma Stone: [https://medium.com/@notCursedE/likes-are-being-removed-from-jk-rowling-s-transphobic-tweet-1fc81e961cd8 'Likes' are being removed from JK Rowling's transphobic tweet]</ref> The conspiracy theory originated in Twitter failing to display a red heart on older tweets as a result of a glitch or deliberate process.<ref name="Gemma" /><ref name="Christa">https://web.archive.org/web/20210303034844/https://twitter.com/christapeterso/status/1366958322151088130</ref> [[Allison Bailey]] warned [[Jack Dorsey]] in November 2020 that he would inevitably need to "defend twitter against accusations of rampant manipulation of data" due to the supposed missing likes.<ref name="Gemma" /> {{w|Rosie Duffield}} declared in March 2021 that she was "putting [her] 'like' on record as it won't stick despite originally liking ages ago - sinister much...?"<ref name="Gemma" /><ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/03/08/rosie-duffield-trans-rights-bbc-politics-live-zing-tsjeng-labour-mp/ Rosie Duffield thinks it 'deeply frightening' that 'you have to write womxn with an x']</ref> At one point there was even a Twitter account (@RelikeReminder) that posted daily reminders to relike Rowling's tweet.<ref name="Christa" /> TERFs in the UK began holding so-called [[TERF glossary#.23JKRLadiesLunch|#JKRLadiesLunchs]] in 2022. These events were inspired by Rowling inviting nearly every prominent TERF in the UK to a "boozy" lunch at a posh [[London]] restaurant that April.<ref name="salon">Salon: [https://www.salon.com/2022/04/12/jk-rowling-terf-lunch-transgender-rights/ J.K. Rowling organizes boozy TERF lunch amidst protest and march for transgender rights]</ref><ref name="pinknews2">PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/04/11/jk-rowling-lunch-get-the-l-out-anti-trans-rosie-duffield/ JK Rowling enjoys boozy lunch with anti-trans lobby while thousands march for trans equality]</ref> The luncheon took place as thousands marched on Downing Street against a plan to exclude trans people from a proposed ban on [[conversion therapy]].<ref name="salon" /><ref name="pinknews2" /> TERFs predictably decided that critics were merely upset over women gathering and having fun rather than at a rich transphobe throwing a party celebrating transphobia while trans people were literally fighting for their rights. On April 16, 2022, a [[Wales|Welsh]] TERF group shared a photo of their lunch date, commenting, "Only fair we had drinks & lunch! Oops do women need permission for that @jk_rowling?"<ref name="lunch">https://web.archive.org/web/20220721190313/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1515423379838455808</ref> Rowling replied, "It's ok, I'll get your permit postdated for you. I've got a contact in the Women's Lunch Permissions Office."<ref name="lunch" /> This isn't the only time that Rowling has directly encouraged the obsessive fawning of transphobic fans. In April 2022, an anonymous Scottish TERF claimed she had quit a book club after its members "roundly attacked and smeared" Rowling, tweeting that she'd founded her own club called JKR's Barmy Book Army.<ref name="telegraph">The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220424175250/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/04/24/jk-rowling-promises-visit-gender-critical-book-club-set-name/ JK Rowling promises to visit 'gender critical' book club set up in her name]</ref><ref name="scottishdaily">Scottish Daily Express: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220613033221/https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/uk-news/jk-rowling-hang-out-feminist-26782157 JK Rowling to hang out with feminist Scottish book club named in her honour]</ref> Rowling caught wind of this and vowed to personally attend a meeting of the club.<ref name="telegraph" /><ref name="scottishdaily" /> She made good on her promise in June.<ref>Daily Record: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220612125535/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/jk-rowling-drops-scottish-book-27211588 JK Rowling drops into Scots book club after promise to organiser who backed gender views]</ref> ====Reaction of ''Harry Potter'' cast==== Many actors who appeared in the original ''Harry Potter'' films have spoken out in support of trans rights since Rowling's transphobic awakening.<ref>PinkNews: "[https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/10/harry-potter-cast-trans-rights-jk-rowling/ Here's everything the Harry Potter cast have said about JK Rowling and trans rights]</ref><ref>US Weekly: [https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/harry-potter-cast-how-stars-feel-about-j-k-rowling-controversy/ What the 'Harry Potter' Cast Has Said About Where They Stand With J.K. Rowling Amid Controversy]"</ref> This has included the series' three main stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.<ref>The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jun/08/daniel-radcliffe-jk-rowling-transgender-tweets 'Trans women are women': Daniel Radcliffe speaks out after JK Rowling tweets]</ref><ref>Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/celebrity/emma-watson-speaks-out-trans-rights-jk-rowling-comments/ Emma Watson speaks out for trans rights after J.K. Rowling's controversial comments]</ref><ref>BuzzFeed: [https://www.buzzfeed.com/stephenlaconte/rupert-grint-jk-rowling-anti-trans-tweets-response-daniel Rupert Grint Just Responded To J.K. Rowling's Anti-Trans Statements]</ref> Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston, stars of the spin-off franchise ''Fantastic Beasts'', have denounced Rowling's remarks.<ref>Variety: [https://variety.com/2020/film/news/eddie-redmayne-jk-rowling-anti-trans-tweets-harry-potter-fantastic-beasts-1234630226/ Eddie Redmayne Criticizes J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Tweets]"</ref><ref>Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/07/katherine-waterston-on-why-its-important-to-denounce-jk-rowlings-transphobic-comments Katherine Waterston on Why It's "Important" to Denounce J.K. Rowling's Transphobic Comments]</ref> ''Potter'' alumni who have defended Rowling include nearly every major villain and tedious anti-"woke" crank John Cleese.<ref>Vulture: [https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/john-cleese-transphobic-twitter-drama-explained.html John Cleese Supports J.K. Rowling, Mocks Trans Rights on Twitter]</ref><ref>The Hollywood Reporter: [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/harry-potter-ralph-fiennes-defends-jk-rowling-1235248133/ Ralph Fiennes Says Abuse Directed at J.K. Rowling Over Trans Controversy Is "Disgusting"]</ref><ref>Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/11/helena-bonham-carter-goes-to-bat-for-jk-rowling-and-johnny-depp Helena Bonham Carter Goes to Bat for J.K. Rowling and Johnny Depp]</ref><ref>Yahoo!Life: [https://style.yahoo.com/harry-potter-tom-felton-supports-jk-rowling-084543708.html Harry Potter's Tom Felton praises JK Rowling for "bringing joy to generations"]</ref> [[File:DanielRadcliffe.jpg|right|thumb|165px|Daniel Radcliffe is an adult now. He doesn't have to obey Momma Rowling.]] Transphobes have taken aim at cast members for criticising Rowling and affirming their support of trans people. [[Helen Joyce]] tweeted in 2020 that it "must hurt being insulted and betrayed by two young people [Radcliffe and Watson] whose careers she made."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220408043144/https://twitter.com/setoacnna/status/1271180048184283136</ref> In late 2021, [[Piers Morgan]] lambasted the stars as "ungrateful little twerps" more interested in "pathetic [[virtue-signalling]]" than defending the right of the "woman who made them all rich and famous" to her views.<ref>The Mirror: [https://web.archive.org/web/20211230044930/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/piers-morgan-hits-out-ungrateful-25813575 Piers Morgan hits out at 'ungrateful' Harry Potter stars for not supporting JK Rowling]</ref> Judith Woods branded Radcliffe "the world's most ungrateful man" in the ''[[Telegraph]]'' after he reaffirmed his support of LGBT rights in a November 2022 interview.<ref name="telegraph2">The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20221103121839/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/11/02/daniel-radcliffe-surely-worlds-ungrateful-man/ Daniel Radcliffe is surely the world’s most ungrateful man]</ref><ref name="lgbtqnation">LGBTQ Nation: [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/11/internet-mocks-anti-trans-columnist-said-daniel-radcliffe-ungrateful-jk-rowling/ Internet mocks anti-trans columnist who said Daniel Radcliffe has been 'ungrateful' to JK Rowling]</ref> Woods accused Radcliffe of being a "33-year-old man child" (but also a "petulant pup") seeking to "once again [...] cancel his creator."<ref name="telegraph2" /><ref name="lgbtqnation" /> Graham Linehan labelled Radcliffe an "ungrateful, traitorous, talentless misogynist" in an April 2023 tweet.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230404110620/https://twitter.com/Glinner/status/1643155114776051713</ref> In early 2023, [[transvestigation|transvestigators]] spun the conspiracy theory that Radcliffe's [[biological determinism|slightly-taller]] cis girlfriend Erin Darke must be trans, despite the couple having just announced they were expecting their first child.<ref>Them: [https://www.them.us/story/daniel-radcliffe-girlfriend-transvestigators Transphobes Believe That Daniel Radcliffe's Pregnant Cis Girlfriend Is Trans]</ref><ref>PinkNews: [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/04/09/daniel-radcliffe-erin-darke-transphobia/ Transphobes share conspiracy theory about Daniel Radcliffe's pregnant girlfriend]</ref> Watson set off a wave of abusive online comments by making a mildly trans-supportive quip at the BAFTAs in early 2022.<ref name="mail">Daily Mail: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220314123928/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10610553/Woke-brat-Emma-Watson-blasted-witches-BAFTAs-barb-JK-Rowling.html 'Woke brat' Emma Watson is blasted for her 'ALL the witches' BAFTAs barb at JK Rowling - the woman who 'plucked her from obscurity' - and 'being so desperate to please trans fans, she s**t on ALL women']</ref> Trolls variously accused her of being an "ungrateful woke brat" and of "biting the hand that feeds [her]."<ref name="mail" /> In April 2024, after the release of a heavily [[Cherry picking|cherry-picked]] {{wpl|Cass Review|anti-trans government report}} in the UK, a self-described "FarRightHooligan" on Twitter suggested that "Dan and Emma" would soon issue a "very public apology" to Rowling.<ref name="apologies1">{{cite news |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=April 11, 2024 |title=J.K. Rowling Says She Won't Forgive Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson for Trans Stance | work= The Hollywood Reporter | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jk-rowling-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-harry-potter-transgender-1235871903/|location= | access-date=}}</ref><ref name="apologies2">{{cite news |last=Juneau |first=Jen |date=April 11, 2024 |title=J.K. Rowling Hits Out at Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson Over Their Trans Rights Support: They Can 'Save Their Apologies' | work = People | url=https://people.com/jk-rowling-wont-forgive-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-for-trans-rights-comments-8630039 |location= | access-date=}}</ref><ref name="apologies3">{{cite news |last=Guinness |first=Emma |date=April 11, 2024 |title=JK Rowling and the row over trans rights: Timeline of author's fall out with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson | work = The Independent | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jk-rowling-transphobia-daniel-radcliffe-emma-watson-rupert-grint-b2527530.html |location= | access-date=}}</ref> Rowling replied stating the actors could "[[narcissism|save their apologies]]."<ref name="apologies1" /><ref name="apologies2" /><ref name="apologies3" /> Radcliffe and Watson haven't publicly commented on Rowling recently, nor have they sought her forgiveness for having their own opinions. The [[framing]] of the actors' denunciation of Rowling's transphobia as "betrayal" and "ungratefulness" has drawn sharp criticism. Cartoonist Barry Deutsch wondered how playing Rowling's characters could possibly mean "ow[ing] her undying fealty to the extent of never disagreeing with her in public."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230701024007/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:bSw-67DPlRkJ:https://twitter.com/barrydeutsch/status/1630818804292014080 Internet Archive copy of a Google Cache copy of a tweet]. Thanks, [[Elon Musk|Elon]]!</ref> [[LibDem]] councillor Matt Severn similarly observed that a "contract signed by an 11 year old" does not impose a "legal duty of lifelong fealty and/or silence."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220718053652/https://twitter.com/Matt_Severn/status/1540638993179721733</ref> Twitter user @HimeOnion opined that transphobes were "literally pulling the 'I made you!' bullcrap abusive parents do."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230701024524/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KRiNXpEYaBMJ:https://twitter.com/LilySimpson1312/status/1588187074464997377 Another Internet Archive copy of a Google Cache copy of a Twitter thread].</ref> It's been speculated that Katherine Waterston had her role reduced from the female lead of the first two ''Fantastic Beasts'' films to a glorified cameo in the third in retaliation for calling out Rowling's transphobia.<ref>The Daily Dot: [https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/katherine-waterston-fantastic-beasts-dumbledore-tina-trans-rights/ Why did Katherine Waterston's Tina Goldstein vanish from the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise?]</ref><ref>Radio Times: [https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/katherine-waterston-fantastic-beasts-3-explained/ Is Katherine Waterston in the new Fantastic Beasts film?]</ref> Antonia Kinlay won a discrimination suit in 2021 after being dropped from the television adaptation of Rowling's ''[[#Cormoran Strike|Strike]]'' series due to her pregnancy.<ref>BBC News: [https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58100574 Strike actress wins £11k payout in pregnancy discrimination case]</ref> One wonders if Rowling ''actually'' opposes forcing women out of their jobs or simply wants her [[#2017-2019: The mask starts to slip|TERF friends]] to be able to say whatever they please without consequence. ====Forgetting that fans used to like her ==== In the third episode of ''The Witch Trials of JK Rowling'', a "[[balance fallacy|fair and balanced]]" podcast produced in early 2023 by ex-[[Westboro Baptist Church]] member {{w|Megan Phelps-Roper}} for {{w|The Free Press (media company)|The Free Press|,}} Rowling recounted an incident circa 2000 (she stated she was still writing ''Goblet of Fire'' at the time) when she visited a fan-run chatroom using a "random name."<ref name="harrison1">Ellie Harrison, "[https://archive.is/srTLY JK Rowling says she was bullied off a Harry Potter forum she joined under a pseudonym]", The Independent, 28 February 2023</ref><ref name="rains1">Kian Rains, "[https://archive.is/YjvNs JK Rowling: author claims she was ‘bullied’ out of a Harry Potter chatroom after joining anonymously]", Edinburgh Evening News, 2 March 2023</ref> As retold by Rowling in the podcast, she expressed a "very bland" ''Potter''-related opinion in the chat and was "clearly an idiot who [didn't] know anything," but nonetheless "got rounded on by users who told me in no uncertain terms to get out."<ref name="harrison1" /><ref name="rains1" /> Rowling claimed this was an example of [[cyberbullying]] and "[[authoritarian]] behaviour": {{quotebox|And I was thinking, I’ve written three and a half books where bullying is such a theme from the very first page, where bullying – and authoritarian behaviour – is held to be one of the worst of human ills, and look what just happened, from these people who call themselves such fans of this franchise.}} This account of her first bumbling encounter with the online fandom of her books [[Historical revisionism|differs starkly]] from ones given in the past. In March 2004, she posted an update to her official site announcing that "a few weeks ago I did something I've never done before and took a stroll into a ''Harry Potter'' chat room: specifically, MuggleNet's chat room."<ref name="jkrsite1">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060316213154/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/news_view.cfm?id=63 Mugglenet Chatroom Uninterested in JKR's Theories]", J.K.Rowling Official Site</ref> She jokingly lamented that "nobody was remotely interested in my theories about what's going to happen in book seven," and that, after failing to "impart any gems of wisdom," she moved on to a discussion of {{wpl|SpongeBob SquarePants|''SpongeBob SquarePants''|.}}<ref name="jkrsite1" /> This spawned a rumour that she had used the handle Squidward in the MuggleNet chatroom, causing fans on the site to adopt this username in jest for some time afterward.<ref name="jkrsite2">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060316212931/http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/en/rumours_view.cfm?id=20 JKR is deadly serious when she forbids people to call Voldemort 'Voldy']", J.K.Rowling Official Site</ref> Rowling similarly spoke of this incident as a funny story in a 2005 interview with Melissa Anelli and Emerson Spartz of the fansite The Leaky Cauldron:<ref>"[http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2005/0705-tlc_mugglenet-anelli-2.htm The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet interview Joanne Kathleen Rowling: Part Two]", 16 July 2005</ref> {{quotebox|ES: How much time do you go on the fan sites? JKR: It really varies. When my site is quiet, it is genuinely because I'm working really hard or I'm busy with the kids or something. When I update a few times in a row, I've obviously been on the net. So the FAQs and that kind of stuff is just compiled by hard copy post that I get here and fan sites. I go looking to see what people want answered. It's fantastic, it's sometimes frustrating, but I do want to make clear, I do not post in comments, because I know that's been cropping up. You've both been really responsible about that, but that slightly worries me. I did go in the MuggleNet chatroom, it was hysterical. That was the first time I ever Googled Harry Potter. I was just falling into these things and Leaky — actually Leaky I already knew about, but I discovered MuggleNet that first-ever afternoon and I went in the chatroom, and it was so funny. I was treated with outright contempt. [Laughter.] It was funny, I can't tell you. ES: I’d like to apologize for, uh - JKR: No, no no no, not in a horrible way, but, "Yeah, yeah, shut up, you're not a regular, you don't know a thing." You can imagine!}} ==Promoting pseudoscience and ableism== ===Cross-sex blood transfusions=== On March 27, 2023, Rowling tweeted the false claim that it was "recently discovered" that "transfusions of blood from the opposite sex had poorer outcomes, including fatalities."<ref name="iflscience">IFL Science: [https://www.iflscience.com/when-you-get-a-blood-transfusion-does-it-matter-what-sex-the-donor-is-68212 When You Get A Blood Transfusion, Does It Matter What Sex The Donor Is?]</ref><ref name="MarySue">The Mary Sue: [https://www.themarysue.com/jk-rowling-cross-gender-blood-transfusions/ Please Do Not Let J. K. Rowling Convince You Blood Is Gendered]</ref><ref>Gizmodo: [https://gizmodo.com/donated-blood-is-safe-donor-sex-large-trial-1850332742 Donated Blood Is Safe No Matter a Person's Sex, Large Trial Find]</ref> Scientists pointed out that the single study cited by Rowling (Alshalani ''et al.'' 2022) had a small [[sample size]] and only found increased mortality in transfusions from AFAB patients to AMAB patients.<ref name="iflscience" /> It has also been noted that the study's conclusions fail to account for the [[confounding factor]] of male-assigned people generally having poorer ICU outcomes than female-assigned ones.<ref name="iflscience" /><ref name="WoodMorton">Henry Wood & Suzy Morton, [https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/6/23/6076/486588/Is-donor-recipient-sex-associated-with-transfusion Is donor-recipient sex associated with transfusion-related outcomes in critically ill patients?], ''Blood Advances'' (2022) 6(23)</ref> The two largest studies have both found no link between donor sex and recipient survival.<ref name="WoodMorton" /><ref>Nareg Roubinian ''et al.'', [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7029395/ Association of donor age, body mass index, hemoglobin, and smoking status with in-hospital mortality and length of stay among red blood cell transfused recipients], ''Transfusion'' (2019) 59(11)</ref><ref>Gustaf Edgren ''et al.'', [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540056/ Association of Donor Age and Sex With Survival of Patients Receiving Transfusions], ''JAMA Internal Medicine'' (2017) 177(6)</ref> However, another large study showed a small increase of mortality in transfusions to AMAB patients from AFAB donors with a history of [[pregnancy]], but none in transfusions to AMAB patients from never-pregnant AFAB donors.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Camila Caram-Deelder|url= https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29049654/|title=Association of Blood Transfusion From Female Donors With and Without a History of Pregnancy With Mortality Among Male and Female Transfusion Recipients|work=JAMA|year=2017|volume=318|issue=15}}</ref> It has been posited that this may be due to antibodies created through adverse autoimmune responses sometimes triggered by pregnancy.<ref name="MarySue" /> The [[NHS]] disallows whole-blood transfusions from those who have been pregnant to newborn babies.<ref name="MarySue" /> In short: most evidence suggests that AFAB blood recipients aren't put at greater risk by receiving blood from AMAB donors, but mother-of-three Rowling's blood could ''kill'' a trans woman recipient according to one study. As a resident of the [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|"mad cow"]]-stricken UK between 1980 and 1996, she would be deferred as a blood donor in [[Canada]] and several European countries,<ref>{{cite web|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/canadian-blood-services-ban-on-those-who-lived-in-britain-not-fair-says-albertan-1.2783375|title=Canadian Blood Services ban on those who lived in Britain not fair, says Albertan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=TheLocal.se|url=https://archive.is/BYsZ4#selection-1483.0-1483.57|title=FACT CHECK: Are Brits banned from giving blood in Sweden?}}</ref> and would've been deferred in [[Australia]], [[Israel]], and the [[United States]] until recently.<ref>{{cite web|work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-25/end-to-two-decades-long-mad-cow-ban-allows-for-more-blood-donors/101265116|title=End of 22-year 'mad cow' ban means more people can donate blood in Australia from today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=The Times of Israel|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-uk-residents-no-longer-banned-from-giving-blood-in-israel/|title=Former UK residents no longer banned from giving blood in Israel}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=ABC4 News|url=https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/blood-donation-ban-lifted-on-people-who-spent-time-in-europe-during-80s-and-90s/|title=Blood donation ban lifted on people who spent time in Europe during 80s and 90s}}</ref> This isn't to say that British mums-of-three shouldn't donate blood (it saves lives!). It's just that [[cognitive bias]]es tend to heighten the perception of [[risk]] related to [[Other]]s while diminishing the perception of risk concerning oneself. Rowling's fearmongering over cross-sex transfusions is reminiscent of past [[moral panic]]s. In 1960, the [[white supremacist]] publication ''The American Nationalist'' raged over the "thousands of critically ill [white] patients" supposedly "made sicker, or even killed" by "[[Black brute|tainted Negro blood transfusions]]," an "evil practice" it said was tolerated in the "[[reverse racism|sweet name of racial 'equality' and 'democracy']]."<ref>{{cite book|author=Susan E. Lederer|title=Flesh and Blood: Organ Transplantation and Blood Transfusion in 20th-Century America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q4TDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA129&lpg=PA129|page=129}}</ref> At the height of the [[HIV/AIDS]] crisis and ensuing {{w|tainted blood scandal}} in the 1980s, newspapers in the UK regularly carried lurid stories about the "Gay Plague", "Gay Menace", and "Gay Killer Bug".<ref>{{cite web|author=Raphaela van Oers|url=https://escholarship.mcgill.ca/concern/theses/fx719s51z|title=Stigma, prejudice, and sympathy: British Press coverage of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s}}</ref> Rowling's alarmist claims about "trans blood" are unsurprising in light of her widely-criticised [[#Werewolves as an AIDS metaphor|use of lycanthropy as a AIDS metaphor]] in the ''Potter'' series. ===Link between autism and gender variance=== In her 2020 TERF manifesto, Rowing claimed that there has been a "huge explosion in young women wishing to transition", and that "[[autism|autistic]] girls are hugely overrepresented in their numbers."<ref>Insider: [https://www.insider.com/jk-rowling-says-explosion-of-young-women-have-transitioned-detransitioned-2020-6 J.K. Rowling said there's been an 'explosion' of young women transitioning and de-transitioning. There's no evidence that's true.]</ref><ref name="terfmanifesto" /> Research has shown an increase in transmasculine people seeking gender-affirming care since the early 2000s.<ref>Madison Aitken, [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsm.12817 Evidence for an Altered Sex Ratio in Clinic-Referred Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria]", ''The Journal of Sexual Medicine'' (2015) 11(3)</ref><ref>Matthew C. Leinung & Jalaja Joseph, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7906237/ Changing Demographics in Transgender Individuals Seeking Hormonal Therapy: Are Trans Women More Common Than Trans Men?]", ''Transgender Health'' (2020) 5(4)</ref><ref>Ian T. Nolan, Christopher J. Kuhner, & Geolani W. Dym, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6626314/ Demographic and temporal trends in transgender identities and gender confirming surgery], ''Transnational Andrology and Urology'' (2019) 8(3)</ref> Studies have also found that trans and gender-variant people are more likely to be autistic.<ref>John F. Strang ''et al.'', [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-014-0285-3 Increased Gender Variance in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder], ''Archives of Sexual Behavior'' 43 (2014)</ref><ref>Varun Warrier ''et al.'', [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32770077/ Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals], ''Nature Communications'' (2020) 11(1)</ref>{{efn|Although for the record, autism is also associated with more non-heterosexuality.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bertelli |first1=Marco O. |title=Autism Spectrum Disorder |date=2022 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4mtvEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA391 |work=Textbook of Psychiatry for Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder |pages=391 |editor-last=Bertelli |editor-first=Marco O. |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-95720-3_16 |isbn=978-3-319-95720-3 |quote=Persons with [autism spectrum disorder] and/or other neurodevelopmental problems are more likely than the general population to have transgender identity, non-heterosexual sexual orientation, and other gender non-conformities. |access-date=2022-06-08 |last2=Azeem |first2=Muhammad Waqar |last3=Underwood |first3=Lisa |last4=Scattoni |first4=Maria Luisa |last5=Persico |first5=Antonio M. |last6=Ricciardello |first6=Arianna |last7=Sappok |first7=Tanja |last8=Bergmann |first8=Thomas |last9=Keller |first9=Roberto |editor2-last=Deb |editor2-first=Shoumitro (Shoumi) |editor3-last=Munir |editor3-first=Kerim |editor4-last=Hassiotis |editor4-first=Angela}}</ref><ref name="LancetCommission">{{oa}} {{Cite journal |last1=Lord |first1=Catherine |last2=Charman |first2=Tony |last3=Havdahl |first3=Alexandra |last4=Carbone |first4=Paul |last5=Anagnostou |first5=Evdokia |last6=Boyd |first6=Brian |last7=Carr |first7=Themba |last8=de Vries |first8=Petrus J |last9=Dissanayake |first9=Cheryl |last10=Divan |first10=Gauri |last11=Freitag |first11=Christine M |display-authors=10 |date=January 2022 |title=The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism |url=https://fhi.brage.unit.no/fhi-xmlui/bitstream/handle/11250/2975811/Lancet+Commission.pdf?sequence=1 |journal=The Lancet |volume=399 |issue=10321 |pages=299 |doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01541-5 |pmid=34883054 |hdl=11250/2975811 |s2cid=244917920 |issn=0140-6736 |quote=Gender non-conformity, or gender variance, including transgender identity and non-heterosexual sexual orientation, is more common in autistic individuals (and those with other neurodevelopmental conditions) than in the general population. This difference might be part of a different concept of self, less reliance on or reference to social norms, or part of a neurodiverse lived experience of (and outlook on) the world. |via=[[Norwegian Institute of Public Health]]}}</ref><ref name="PediatricsLGBTAutism"> {{oa}} {{Cite journal |last1=Graham Holmes |first1=Laura |last2=Ames |first2=Jennifer L. |last3=Massolo |first3=Maria L. |last4=Nunez |first4=Denise M. |last5=Croen |first5=Lisa A. |date=2022-04-01 |title=Improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Health Care of Autistic People |url=https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/Supplement%204/e2020049437J/185641/Improving-the-Sexual-and-Reproductive-Health-and |journal=Pediatrics |publisher=American Academy of Pediatrics |volume=149 |issue=Supplement 4 |pages=e2020049437J |doi=10.1542/peds.2020-049437J |pmid=35363286 |issn=0031-4005 |quote=A substantial proportion of autistic adolescents and adults are LGBTQIA+. Autistic people are more likely to be transgender or gender nonconforming compared with non-autistic people, and findings from a recent autism registry study suggest that among autistic people able to self-report on a survey, up to 18% of men and 43% of women may be sexual minorities. |doi-access=free}}</ref> Considering J.K. Rowling claims to advocate for gay people, this line of logic is perhaps reckless in that regard. Imagine how it could be argued by homophobes in much the same way that gay autistic people were supposedly confused or tricked by gay activists.}} The problem is that Rowling has taken evidence-supported claims and [[confirmation bias|twisted them to fit the preconceived conclusion]] that [[Abigail Shrier#Irreversible Damage|vulnerable "girls" are being hoodwinked]] into thinking they're boys by [[Littman 2018 ROGD study|social pressure]] or [[gender ideology|Big Gender]].<ref name="Juno">Cripple Media: [https://cripplemedia.com/jk-rowling-autism-and-getting-to-pick-your-gender/ JK Rowling, Autism, and Getting to 'Pick Your Gender']</ref> Evan Urquhart of ''Salon'' has linked the upward trend in transmasculine transitions to increased public awareness, as the few media reports of "successfully transitioned trans people" in past decades were "almost universally trans women, not trans men."<ref name="Salon">Salon: [https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/09/trans-youth-clinics-are-seeing-more-trans-boys-than-before-why.html Why Are Trans Youth Clinics Seeing an Uptick in Trans Boys?]</ref> He has also pointed to the early history of gender-related therapy primarily seeking to "[[conversion therapy|cure homosexuality]] and effeminacy in boys" due to to the greater social stigma attached to gender non-conformity in male-assigned children.<ref name="Salon" /> Meanwhile, various explanations have been proposed for the increased prevalence of gender variance in autistics, including prenatal hormone exposure, fixation on special interests, and rejection of social norms.<ref>Spectrum News: [https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/living-between-genders/ Living between genders]</ref><ref name="Atlantic">The Atlantic: [https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/11/the-link-between-autism-and-trans-identity/507509/ The Link Between Autism and Trans Identity]</ref> Bryony White of ''The Atlantic'' has cautioned against [[Correlation does not imply causation|conflating correlation with causation]] by presuming that the "need to transition is a ''result'' of [autistic trans youth's] autism."<ref name="Atlantic" /> Autistic self-advocates have highlighted how objections to autistic youth transitioning are rooted in [[ableism|ableist]] attitudes and ideas.<ref>The Age of Autism: [https://the-art-of-autism.com/an-autistics-response-to-j-k-rowlings-transphobic-tweets/ An Autistic's Response To J.K. Rowling's Transphobic Tweets]</ref><ref>Thinking Persons Guide to Autism: [https://thinkingautismguide.com/2020/06/autistic-trans-and-betrayed-by-jk-rowling.html Autistic, Trans, and Betrayed By J.K. Rowling]</ref><ref name="Juno" /> A writer for disability-rights blog ''Cripple Media'' cited it as an example of autistics being "talked over, [[gaslighting|gaslit]], and denied [their] right to self-determine," a product of the belief that they are "children who need to be looked after at all times, not adults and adolescences{{sic}} who get to make choices about [their] own lives."<ref name="Juno" /> Rowling implicitly endorsed such thinking by approvingly tweeting [[concern trolling|an anonymous TERF's fear]] that defining gender by "an internal sense of identity" would make it impossible to ascertain in people with "certain mental handicaps or learning disabilities" or those "unable to develop language skills or [...] communicate at all".<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220313092936/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1502688881782702086</ref> She did it more explicitly with a April 2022 praising David Bell for his "deep concern at high numbers of autistic children [...] presenting at gender clinics."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220709074622/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1510254904174067716</ref> The supposed impressionability of autistic people figures in the plot of two ''[[#Cormoran Strike|Cormoran Strike]]'' books.<ref name="Hendley">Alicia Hendley: [https://aliciahendley.medium.com/jk-rowling-the-ink-black-heart-and-the-problem-of-misplaced-authority-5cf6a2ab5210 JK Rowling, The Ink Black Heart, and the problem of misplaced authority]</ref><ref name="Gibbs">https://web.archive.org/web/20220901085758/https://twitter.com/sara_rose_g/status/1565261159846055937</ref><ref name="RunningGrave">Maggie Baska (September 28, 2023). [https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/09/28/jk-rowling-cormoran-strike-the-running-grave-review-lgbtq-trans/ "We asked a non-binary person to review the new JK Rowling book. They had a lot to say"]. ''PinkNews''.</ref> In ''The Ink Black Heart'', a "profoundly autistic" teen girl is lured into joining a [[terrorist|terrorist]] group after being "convinced she'd found real friends online," while in ''The Running Grave'' a man tries to free his adult autistic son from a [[Scientology]]-like [[cult]] that serves as a [[TERF glossary#Trans_cult|thinly-veiled anti-trans metaphor]].<ref name="Hendley" /><ref name="Gibbs" /><ref name="RunningGrave" /> Ableism and transphobia don't just contribute to social stigma, but can adversely impact health, freedom, and equality. Autistic trans people have reported having their access to gender-affirming care blocked or delayed by clinicians.<ref name="Atlantic" /> Several U.S. states restricted or banned gender-affirming care for people with autism, [[ADHD]], and other psychological conditions in 2023.<ref>The 19th: [https://19thnews.org/2023/05/trans-laws-autistic-youth-mental-health/ Anti-trans laws are targeting autistic youth and those with mental health conditions]</ref> A man in the UK sued the NHS to try to prevent his 21-year-old autistic daughter from undergoing gender-confirmation surgery in June 2023.<ref>The Telegraph: [https://archive.is/hzduJ 'Heartbroken' father sues NHS to stop autistic son's sex change]</ref> On June 22, 2023, Rowling shared a tweet by far-right activist [[Christopher Rufo|Christopher F. Rufo]] making the pseudoscientific claim that puberty blockers "shut down a child's [[brain|hypothalamus]]."<ref>Twitter: https://web.archive.org/web/20230626120101/https://twitter.com/BadWritingTakes/status/1673007258844667904</ref> The tweet linked to Rufo's interview of an anonymous doctor in the [[Manhattan Institute]] quarterly ''City Journal'', who claimed that this imaginary side effect means "shut[ting] down what makes us human" since the hypothalamus contains a "[[Gnosticism|divine spark]]," and is the "system" that allows people to "[[argument from beauty|stand in awe of the beauty of a sunset]]" and be moved by [[music]].<ref>City Journal: [https://www.city-journal.org/article/transgender-ideology-and-the-corruption-of-medicine Thrown to the Wolves]</ref> Rowling uncritically tweeted this metaphysical horseshit despite railing against [[gender identity]] as an "[[falsifiability|unfalsifiable]] concept" involving "[[soul|unprovable essences]]" on June 21.<ref>Yahoo! Life: [https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/cisgender-meaning-elon-musk-jk-rowling-132431448.html 'Cisgender' meaning as Elon Musk brands term a ‘slur’ and JK Rowling voices her view]</ref> The nonsense Rowling picked up from Rufo may have emerged from a conflation of the amygdala theory of autism with more recent research linking autism to structural variations in the hypothalamus.<ref>Spectrum News: "[https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/molecular-mechanisms-autism-linked-to-small-hypothalamus Molecular mechanisms: Autism linked to small hypothalamus]"</ref><ref name="Rizzo">Elisabetta Angela Rizzo and Tina Röck, "[https://journals.openedition.org/phenomenology/298 Autistics as empathic subjects: Phenomenology and Intense World Theory]", ''Phenomenology and Mind'' (2021) 21</ref> The amygdala theory posits that there is "an abnormality in [the] autistic amygdala" that is correlated with a "diminished ability for social interaction, [and] intersubjective capacity and empathy."<ref name="Rizzo" /> This theory is tied to the Baron-Cohenian model (no, not Borat, but his uncle {{w|Simon Baron-Cohen|Simon}}) of autism as an innate inability to recognize that other people have their own thoughts and feelings (a concept known as "{{w|theory of mind||"}}).<ref name="Rizzo" /> As such, it is regarded by many autistic people as outdated, or rejected in favor of alternate models.<ref name="Rizzo" /> In short, Rowling has signed up for [[vaccine hysteria]] round two, except this time puberty blockers are the jab supposedly making kids autistic. ===Stigmatisation of disability and mental health=== In July 2020, Rowling liked a tweet by the [[transmedicalism|transmedicalist]] @Manaxium characterising [[hormone replacement therapy]] as "the new [[antidepressants]]", something @Manaxium saw as emblematic of the "pure laziness" of people who "would rather medicate than put in the time and effort to heal people's mind.{{sic}}"<ref name="SophieXY44">https://web.archive.org/web/20200704212716/https://twitter.com/TrinerScot/status/1279501444496986113</ref><ref name="Global">Global News: [https://globalnews.ca/news/7142429/j-k-rowling-tweets-hormone-conversion-therapy-backlash/ J.K. Rowling under fire for describing hormone therapy as 'conversion therapy for young gay people']</ref><ref name="NBCNews2">NBC News: [https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/j-k-rowling-warns-against-new-kind-conversion-therapy-n1232958 J.K. Rowling calls gender transitioning 'a new kind of conversion therapy']</ref> This prompted another Twitter user to wonder if anyone had foreseen Rowling one day "pivoting to supporting those who call people who take mental health medication 'lazy'."<ref name="SophieXY44" /><ref name="Global" /><ref name="NBCNews2" /> Rowling quoted-tweeted this user with an 11-part response accusing them of "[lying] about what I believe about mental health medication" and "misrepresent[ing] the views of a [[one of the good ones|trans woman for whom I feel nothing but admiration and solidarity]]."<ref name="Global" /><ref name="NBCNews2" /><ref name="LongThread">https://web.archive.org/web/20220604183102/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1279755418621878272?lang=en</ref> Rowling underscored her own "mental health challenges, which include OCD, depression and anxiety," stating that she had "taken anti-depressants in the past" and found them helpful.<ref name="LongThread" /> She claimed that, like the "many health professionals" she couldn't name, she was merely concerned that struggling youngsters were "being shunted towards hormones and surgery" by Big Trans.<ref name="Global" /><ref name="NBCNews2" /><ref name="LongThread" /> On March 6, 2022, [[genderqueer]] trans-inclusive [[feminist]] writer {{w|Laurie Penny}} posted a Twitter thread revealing they had suffered a breakdown after "twelve years of relentless trolling."<ref name="Penny">https://web.archive.org/web/20220307220123/https://twitter.com/BadWritingTakes/status/1500954723968499716</ref> In this thread, Penny mentioned that they had been diagnosed with [[PTSD|CPTSD]] and highlighted nasty reviews of their recent book by ''The Times'', ''[[The Observer]]'', and ''[[The Critic]]''.<ref name="Penny" /> The following day, [[Julie Bindel]], author of the ''Critic'' piece, put out a tweet claiming that Penny was alleging the reviews "caused her complex PTSD."<ref name="Penny" /> Shortly thereafter, Bindel mockingly tweeted that she had "[[self-diagnosis|diagnosed [herself]]] with Complex PTSD" after a man "opened a packet of Cheesy Wotsits" on the train, prompting a reply of "thoughts and prayers, Julie" from Rowling.<ref name="Penny" /><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220819041708/https://twitter.com/bindelj/status/1500799081190498304</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220307143059/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1500841347015663619</ref> In response, Penny reminded Bindel that she knew "full well that these reviews didn't *cause* the CPTSD [they] experience," as they had personally disclosed the sources of their trauma to Bindel "back when [the pair] were trying to build bridges."<ref name="Penny" /> Penny's reply to Rowling was gentler, pointing out that it was their "mental health history" Bindel was mocking in the tweet "along with everyone else who has experienced CPTSD," and hoping that the author didn't think it was acceptable to "shame" people in this manner.<ref name="Penny" /> Rowling came under fire for her portrayal of chronic illness and the [[disabled]] community in her 2022 Cormoran Strike novel ''The Ink Black Heart''.<ref name="ASpiralDance">A Spiral Dance: [https://www.aspiraldance.com/the-online-spoonie-community-is-valid-and-important/ The Online Spoonie Community is Valid and Important]</ref><ref name="Gretchen">Gretchen Felker-Martin: [https://www.patreon.com/posts/in-flesh-ink-72203043 In the Flesh - The Ink Black Heart]</ref><ref name="Lucien">The Once and Future Cripple: [https://www.theonceandfuturecripple.com/en/rowlings-new-book-is-ableist-and-so-was-harry-potter/ Rowling’s new book is ableist and so was Harry Potter]</ref><ref name="Hendley" /> The book features a description of the [[Tumblr]] bio of "disabled artist" character Kea Niven: "CF – [[fibromyalgia]] - POTs – allodynia – I need more {{w|spoon theory|spoons|."}}<ref name="ASpiralDance" /> ''A Spiral Dance'', a disability-focused blog, held that Rowling "couldn't even get the details of chronic illnesses correct," citing her incorrect rendering of "{{w|POTS||"}} and use of the non-standard acronym "CF" to mean [[chronic fatigue syndrome]].<ref name="ASpiralDance" /> Author Gretchen Felker-Martin wrote that Rowling is "deeply mean-spirited when it comes to anyone non-normative, especially the fat and the disabled," finding ''The Ink Black Heart'' to be "particularly savage" in its "[[ableism|bottomless contempt]] for 'spoonies' and other disabled communities."<ref name="Gretchen" /> She contrasted the sympathetic portrayal of "brusque, manly Strike, whose disability is the result of a war wound" with the portrayal of chronically-ill characters as "[[faking disability|malingerers, abusers, and emotional manipulators]]."<ref name="Gretchen" /> Kristina Lucien of the blog ''The Once and Future Cripple'' echoed this view, commenting that it is "made clear to the readers that [Kea] is the wrong kind of disabled" as "she claims her identity openly," in comparison to amputee Strike trying to minimise his disability by declining to use a cane despite his pain.<ref name="Lucien" /> Psychologist Alicia Hendley declared the book to be "threaded throughout" with "dismissal and lazy stereotyping" of people with invisible illnesses.<ref name="Hendley" /> In Hendley's view, Rowling distinguishes "[[gatekeeping|people who have valid, visible, 'real' illness/disabilities]]" and want to to "[[Rugged individualism|'get on with it']], [[Wanting it bad enough|to live their lives 'despite' their difficulties]], [[Just world hypothesis|to even excel]]" from the spoonie who "not only wallows, but defines themselves by (and perhaps even revels in) being ill."<ref name="Hendley" /> ==Statements on sexual assault and abuse== ===Rowling's own experiences=== Rowling experienced [[domestic violence]] during her "short and catastrophic" marriage to [[Portugal|Portuguese]] journalist Jorge Arantes in the early 1990s.<ref name="terfmanifesto" /><ref>Oprah.com: [https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/the-brilliant-mind-behind-harry-potter/all The Brilliant Mind Behind Harry Potter]</ref><ref name="manuscript">The Guardian: [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/feb/22/jk-rowling-reveals-abuse-in-past-relationship JK Rowling tells of fear former husband would burn Harry Potter manuscript]</ref> By Rowling's account, Arantes was "very violent and very controlling" as a partner, denying her a housekey so he could have "control of the front door."<ref name="manuscript" /><ref name="arantes1">The Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jk-rowling-first-husband-domestic-violence-b2286439.html JK Rowling describes 'violence' in first marriage]"</ref> At one point, Arantes allegedly took the manuscript of the first ''Harry Potter'' novel and hid it as "his hostage," forcing Rowling to sneak "a few pages" into work "every day" to photocopy.<ref name="manuscript" /> Rowling gradually assembled a copy of the manuscript and kept it in a staffroom cupboard.<ref name="manuscript" /> She feared Arantes would seize or destroy the original if she "wasn't able to get out [of the marriage] with everything."<ref name="manuscript" /> Arantes has admitted that he slapped Rowling on the night she fled in 1993 but denies having committed "sustained abuse."<ref>The Sun: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200612025219/https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11842719/jk-rowling-ex-husband-abuse-claims/ JK Rowling's abusive first husband admits he slapped her but says 'I'm not sorry']</ref> ''[[The Sun]]'' (who else?) interviewed Arantes in June 2020 and published his claims with the lurid headline "I slapped JK and I'm not sorry."<ref name="arantes2">BBC News: [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53023543 JK Rowling: Sun newspaper criticised by abuse charities for article on ex-husband]</ref><ref name="arantes3">CBC News: [https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/sun-newspaper-rowling-1.5610107 Sun newspaper says J.K. Rowling article did not glorify domestic abuse]</ref> This article was widely condemned by the press and abuse survivor advocates.<ref name="arantes2" /><ref name="arantes3" /> In her 2020 [[#2020-2021: TERF manifesto and Twitter punditry|TERF manifesto]], Rowling revealed that she was the victim of a "serious sexual assault" sometime in her twenties, describing it as occurring "at a time and in a space where I was vulnerable" and involving a "man [who] capitalised on an opportunity."<ref name="terfmanifesto" /> Rowling wrote that her memories of this event spurred her to oppose Gender Recognition Act reform in [[Scotland]], declaring it would inevitably "[[Transphobia and public restrooms|throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms]]" to sexual predators.<ref name="terfmanifesto" /> She cited her personal history as a motivation for funding the establishment of a private "support centre for female victims of sexual violence" in Edinburgh in December 2022.<ref>The Guardian: [https://web.archive.org/web/20221213021748/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/12/jk-rowling-launches-support-centre-for-female-victims-of-sexual-violence JK Rowling launches support centre for female victims of sexual violence]"</ref><ref>The Times: [https://archive.is/85ASU JK Rowling launches service for women victims of sexual violence before Scotland brings in self-ID law]"</ref> This service – named Beira's Place after the "Scottish goddess of winter" – is frequently lauded as a "women's shelter," "rape crisis centre," and "refuge" by Rowling's supporters, but reading the website makes it clear it doesn't offer shelter space or crisis support.<ref name="beira1">Beira's Place: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240104165443/https://beirasplace.org.uk/about/ About Us]</ref><ref name="beira2">Beira's Place: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240104165443/https://beirasplace.org.uk/faqs/ FAQs]</ref> It provides one-on-one and group counselling by appointment only.<ref name="beira2" /> The centre is not wheelchair accessible and clients are advised not to bring children.<ref name="beira2" /> Board member Rhona Hotchkiss served as governor of the {{wpl|Cornton Vale}} women's [[prison]] until 2019.<ref>NHS Scotland Events: [https://web.archive.org/web/20210410132833/https://nhsscotlandevents.com/speaker/rhona-hotchkiss Rhona Hotchkiss]</ref> In 2016, it was reported that inmates faced "Victorian conditions" and long queues for access to a shared toilet, with some being instructed by staff to "pee in the sink" if they couldn't wait.<ref>BBC News: [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-35589196 Cornton Vale prisoners 'forced to use sink as a toilet']</ref><ref>Holyrood: [https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,cornton-vale-toilet-conditions-wholly-unacceptable-in-the-21st-century-warns-chief-prisons-inspector_6499.htm Cornton Vale toilet conditions 'wholly unacceptable in the 21st century', warns chief prisons inspector]</ref> Hotchkiss asserted in 2022 that she would've resigned if she'd still been governor during the {{wpl|Isla Bryson case||.}}<ref>The Telegraph: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230126185818/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/01/26/former-prisoner-governor-says-would-have-quit-trans-rapist/ Former prisoner governor says she would have quit over trans rapist]</ref><ref>Daily Mail: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230126091050/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11678509/Ex-governor-Scottish-womens-prison-quit-Isla-Bryson.html Ex-governor of Scottish women's prison 'would have quit' if she'd been told to house transgender rapist with female inmates]</ref> ===Johnny Depp and other accused=== In November 2016, only a few weeks before the release of the first film in the ''Fantastic Beasts'' franchise, it was revealed that {{wpl|Johnny Depp}} had a cameo as Gellert Grindelwald and was slated to return in the sequels.<ref>USA Today: [https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/11/01/johnny-depp-fantastic-beasts-surprise-role/93143002/ Shocker! Johnny Depp is in 'Fantastic Beasts']</ref><ref>Digital Trends: [https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/johnny-depp-fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them-2-cast/ Johnny Depp will play a pivotal character in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ sequel]</ref> Rumour has it that Depp sought to play the character in the first ''Deathly Hallows'' movie back in 2008.<ref>Hypable: [https://www.hypable.com/johnny-depp-grindelwald-harry-potter-fantastic-beasts/ Report: Johnny Depp almost played Grindelwald in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows']</ref> His casting sparked outcry from ''Potter'' fans due to allegations of abuse made earlier in 2016 by Depp's then-wife Amber Heard.<ref>Stuff.co.nz: [https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/86043237/backlash-from-harry-potter-fans-after-johnny-depp-cast-in-fantastic-beasts Backlash from Harry Potter fans after Johnny Depp cast in Fantastic Beasts]</ref> Rowling issued a statement in December telling fans that she understood why they were "confused and angry," but that she and the filmmakers were "not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies" based on their "understanding of the circumstances" of Depp and Heard's marriage.<ref name="deppstatement">J. K. Rowling: [https://web.archive.org/web/20180113114758/https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/grindelwald-casting/ Grindelwald casting]</ref> Rowling added that "conscience isn't governable by committee."<ref name="deppstatement" /> Rowling is reportedly a long-time friend of Depp, buying his £22 million yacht in early 2016.<ref>The Scotsman: [https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/jk-rowling-spends-aps22-million-on-luxury-yacht-1485867 JK Rowling spends £22 million on luxury yacht]</ref><ref>The Times: [https://archive.is/FuKIw JK Rowling lands £22m Depp yacht]</ref> Depp was dropped from the ''Fantastic Beasts'' franchise in 2020 after losing a libel case against ''[[The Sun]]'' for a headline calling him a "wife beater."<ref>Variety: [https://variety.com/2020/film/news/johnny-depp-fantastic-beasts-warner-bros-1234826539/ Johnny Depp: Why Warner Bros. Finally Cut Ties With the 'Fantastic Beasts' Star]</ref> Depp won a subsequent defamation suit against Heard in 2022 over an op-ed she wrote for the ''[[Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' in 2018.<ref>Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/celebrity/johnny-depp-v-amber-heard-verdict/ Johnny Depp wins defamation trial against Amber Heard, jury awards him $15 million in damages]</ref> In this piece, Heard described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse," but did not specifically name Depp.<ref>Washington Post: [https://archive.is/mWa7d I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change.]</ref> Some have speculated that Depp's legal team pushed for the case to be heard in [[Virginia]] over the couple's home state of [[California]] due to Virginia's "far weaker" anti-[[SLAPP suit|SLAPP]] laws.<ref>Vulture: [https://www.vulture.com/2022/04/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-lawsuit-virginia.html Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Defamation Trial, Explained]</ref><ref>Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting: [https://fair.org/home/depp-heard-verdict-a-loss-for-violence-survivors-and-a-free-press/ Depp/Heard Verdict a Loss for Violence Survivors—and a Free Press]</ref> Rowling sent a bouquet of roses to Depp's close friend [[Marilyn Manson]] in January 2020.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20200209142625/https://twitter.com/marilynmanson/status/1223133969232752641</ref> In 2021, actress Evan Rachel Wood identified Manson as the ex-partner who had sexually assaulted and tortured her, prompting several other women to come forward with similar allegations about Manson.<ref>BBC News: [https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43226367 Evan Rachel Wood: Actress tells Congress about sexual abuse]</ref><ref>Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/02/he-horrifically-abused-me-for-years-evan-rachel-wood-and-other-women-make-allegations-of-abuse-against-marilyn-manson He "Horrifically Abused Me for Years": Evan Rachel Wood and Other Women Make Allegations of Abuse Against Marilyn Manson]</ref> Depp stans paid to have the ''Depp v. Heard'' court records unsealed in the hope of unearthing dirt on Heard.<ref>Rolling Stone: [https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-backfire-1391807/ Johnny Depp Stans Rushed to Fork Over Cash for Unsealed Court Docs. Did It Backfire?]</ref> They instead revealed a trove of unsavoury and embarrassing things about Depp. This included the transcript of a "troubling" 2016 text conversation in which Manson tried to set Depp up with an 18-year-old girl.<ref>Popculture.com: [https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/johnny-depp-marilyn-manson-text-messages-revealed-unsealed-court-documents-amber-heard/ Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson's Troubling Text Messages Surface in Unsealed Court Documents]</ref><ref>Entertainment Weekly: [https://ew.com/celebrity/johnny-depp-amber-heard-court-docs-unsealed/ Biggest bombshells in unsealed Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard court docs: Erectile dysfunction, nude photos, and Marilyn Manson]</ref> Rowling personally thanked voice actor {{wpl|Greg Ellis}} for his work on the 2023 video game ''Hogwarts Legacy''.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230212010833/https://twitter.com/EliErlick/status/1624481026163499009</ref><ref name="btm1">BehindTheMagic.com: [https://insidethemagic.net/2023/02/rowling-under-fire-hogwarts-legacy-greg-ellis-jc1/ J.K. Rowling Under Fire For Publicly Thanking, Hiring "Canceled" Actor Accused of Domestic Violence]</ref> Ellis is a hardline [[MRA]] with his own history of domestic abuse allegations.<ref name="btm1" /><ref name="geekbuzz">GeekBuzz: [https://thegeekbuzz.com/the-basement/legal-filings-debunk-the-respondent-greg-ellis-belittling-proclamation-against-family-court/ Legal Filings Debunk the ‘Respondent’ Greg Ellis’ Belittling Proclamation Against Family Court]</ref> In 2015, Ellis' then-wife successfully filed for a restraining order against him, stating that he had threatened their children.<ref name="btm1" /><ref name="geekbuzz" /> Another former partner of Ellis obtained a three-year protection order in 2023 in a case involving an allegation of revenge porn.<ref>[https://archive.ph/qell7 Tweet] featuring redacted court document</ref> Ellis is reportedly a long-time friend of Depp.<ref name="ellisdepp1">OK Magazine: [https://okmagazine.com/p/johnny-depp-responsibility-trial-greg-ellis/ Actor Greg Ellis Says Pal Johnny Depp 'Took Responsibility For His Faults' During Trial: 'He's Never Said He's Perfect']</ref><ref name="ellisdepp2">New York Post: [https://nypost.com/2022/07/05/johnny-depp-is-happy-to-get-his-life-back-after-trial-says-longtime-friend/ Johnny Depp is ‘happy to get his life back’ after trial, says longtime friend]</ref> Ellis supposedly met Depp at his infamous Los Angeles bar {{w|The Viper Room}} in the 1980s and worked with him on the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' franchise.<ref name="ellisdepp2" /> Ellis has been one of Depp's fiercest defenders on social media.<ref>Movieweb: [https://movieweb.com/greg-ellis-johnny-depp-support/ Pirates of the Caribbean Star Greg Ellis Supports Johnny Depp, Blasts 'False Allegations']</ref> Depp wasn't the only ''Fantastic Beasts'' cast member to generate worrying headlines. Video emerged in 2020 of {{wpl|Ezra Miller}} physically assaulting a woman at a Reykjavík bar.<ref name="ezra1">Variety: [https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ezra-miller-throttling-woman-video-1234571800/ Ezra Miller Appears to Choke Woman in Video]</ref><ref name="ezra2">Vanity Fair: [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/inside-ezra-millers-dark-spiral-messiah-delusions Ezra Miller's "Messiah" Delusions: Inside ''The Flash'' Star's Dark Spiral]</ref> Since 2022, they have incurred multiple arrests, citations, and restraining orders for a slew of alleged crimes including assault, burglary, and grooming minors.<ref name="ezra2" /><ref name="ezra3">NBC News: [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/actor-ezra-miller-hit-temporary-protection-order-massachussetts-rcna34177 Massachusetts court grants temporary protection order against actor Ezra Miller]</ref><ref name="ezra4">The Daily Beast: [https://www.thedailybeast.com/12-year-old-granted-order-of-protection-against-ezra-miller 12-Year-Old Granted Order of Protection Against Ezra Miller]</ref> Scottish actor Kevin Guthrie was sentenced to three years in prison for sexual assault in 2021.<ref>[https://people.com/movies/fantastic-beasts-actor-kevin-guthrie-sentenced-to-3-years-in-jail-for-sexual-assault/ 'Fantastic Beasts' Actor Kevin Guthrie Sentenced to 3 Years in Jail for Sexual Assault]</ref> Rowling has not publicly commented on either case to date. ==Cormoran Strike series== Since finishing the ''Harry Potter'' series, Rowling has focused on a new series, adult detective novels featuring ex-military policeman Cormoran Strike and his female assistant Robin Ellacott. These are published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Some have also been adapted for television by the [[BBC]] and HBO.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2022/strike-troubled-blood Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger return in Strike - Troubled Blood], BBC press release, 2022</ref> In the beginning, it wasn't known that Galbraith was Rowling. But then the first book, ''The Cuckoo's Calling'' (2013), was rejected by some publishing firms and sold just 1,500 copies once it did find a publisher. Her [[lawyer]] then proceeded to leak the fact that the novel was authored by Rowling to his "wife's best friend". The sales for the book then skyrocketed after ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' reported it.<ref>James Meikle (July 18, 2013). [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/18/jk-rowling-anger-lawyers-secret-identity "JK Rowling directs anger at lawyers after secret identity revealed"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''.</ref><ref> Adam Taylor (July 15, 2013). [https://www.businessinsider.com/the-cuckoos-calling-reveals-a-lot-about-publishing-2013-7 "Every Aspiring Author Should Be Depressed By J.K. Rowling's Pseudonymous Publishing Stunt"]. ''Business Insider''.</ref> It is completely impossible that this "leak" was actually staged as a financial decision. Initially, the books seemed unexceptional genre works, but that changed when Rowling started to inject her increasingly strange beliefs about trans people and other issues. At first it was subtle; book two, ''The Silkworm'' (2014), features two trans characters who are portrayed in a relatively sympathetic fashion, although Strike is rude to them and threatens one with prison [[rape]].<ref name=gradyvox/> Book three, ''Career of Evil'' (2015), is about an online community of people who wish to be disabled and have limbs amputated to meet their desire. {{wpl|Body integrity dysphoria}} is a real condition, but to some people, it felt like Rowling was using these people who wished to be disabled as a way to attack or mock trans people, whom she viewed as similarly deluded.<ref name=gradyvox/> ''Lethal White'' (2018), book four in the series, features a pair of far-left villains who hate [[Israel]] so much that they became antisemitic.<ref name="JTAIsrael"/> (See: [[J.K. Rowling#Other political views|J. K. Rowling § Other political views]].) Controversy increased with book five: ''Troubled Blood'' (2020) features a killer who disguises himself as a woman. Naturally, this was read in the light of Rowling's hostility to trans people and belief that trans women are all men dressing as women to attack cis women. It also contains a lot of criticism of 21<sup>st</sup> century [[feminism]] for being [[sex-positivity|sex-positive]], pro-[[porn]], holding [[SlutWalk]]s to oppose slut shaming, etc.<ref name=gradyvox>[https://www.vox.com/culture/21449215/troubled-blood-review-jk-rowling-transphobia-controversy J.K. Rowling’s transphobic new novel sees her at the mercy of all her worst impulses], Constance Grady, ''Vox'', September 3, 2020</ref> This was followed by book six, ''Ink Black Heart'' (2022), which is about a cartoonist who is [[Doxxing|doxxed]] and ultimately [[murder]]ed after antagonising [[woke]] online [[troll]]s with remarks about a [[hermaphrodite]] worm that are considered transphobic. Rowling insists any resemblance to her life is coincidental; most people don't believe her (not even ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'').<ref>Cheyenne Roundtree (August 29, 2022). [https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/j-k-rowlings-latest-book-ink-black-heart-transphobic-views-1234582911/ "J.K. Rowling's New Book Just So Happens to Feature a Character Persecuted Over Transphobia"]. ''Rolling Stone''.</ref><ref>Mey Rude (August 30, 2022). [https://www.out.com/books/2022/8/30/jk-rowlings-new-book-about-creator-doxxed-over-transphobia "J.K. Rowling's New Book Is About a Creator Doxxed Over Transphobia"]. ''Out''.</ref> In the seventh book, ''The Running Grave'' (2023), the apparent connection between Rowling's real-world views and this fictional storyline is built upon further. Some drew parallels between the abusive [[cult]] present in the seventh installment and the way Rowling views her political opponents. The cult is described as (aside from the abusive behavior typical of any real-world cult) expressing positions in favor of various [[social justice]] causes. A typical profile of a cult recruit is described as someone with dyed-blue hair. They are also said to predate on [[Autism|autistic]] people and [[Lesbianism|lesbians]], and one of its fictional critics is a "patron of several charities" with a "reputation for intelligence and integrity". Nothing terribly subtle here.<ref name="RunningGrave" /> ===About that pen name...=== There is also a curious coincidence that the pseudonym Robert Galbraith is very similar to the name of {{wpl|Robert Galbraith Heath||,}} a controversial psychiatrist. He experimented on black people; Harry Bailey, a research partner of his, stated that the two experimented on black people because it was "cheaper to use [[nigger]]s than cats because they were everywhere", though Heath later denied knowing Bailey.<ref>Slattery, J.P. (1990). "Report of the Royal Commission into Deep Sleep Therapy". ''New South Wales Parliamentary Paper''. 304/1990-1991. {{Isbn|0724087664}}.</ref><ref>Deborah Cameron (October 8, 1988). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-mkultra-austra/7536346/ "The CIA link to deep-sleep research"] (page 11). ''The Sydney Morning Herald''.</ref><ref>Carl Bernofsky. [http://www.tulanelink.com/tulanelink/twoviews_04a.htm "Changing People's Minds, Tulane Style: A Tale From Two Perspectives"]. ''TulaneLink''.</ref> He also experimented on the mentally ill and pioneered [[conversion therapy]] for gay men, including the use of electric shocks. Rowling's spokesperson said she was unaware of the existence of Heath when she chose the pseudonym and that she had long been fond of the name "Galbraith". The spokesperson also pointed to Rowling's original explanation for the pseudonym's origin in 2013.<ref name="NolanGalbraith">Emma Nolan (September 16, 2020). [https://www.newsweek.com/why-jk-rowling-robert-galbraith-pseudonym-gay-conversion-robert-galbraith-heath-1532341 "Why J.K. Rowling's 'Robert Galbraith' Pseudonym is Linked to Harmful Conversion Therapist"]. ''Newsweek''.</ref> She had then stated: "When I was a child, I really wanted to be called 'Ella Galbraith', and I've no idea why. I don't even know how I knew that the surname existed, because I can't remember ever meeting anyone with it." She attributed her choice of "Robert" to her admiration for [[Robert F. Kennedy]].<ref>Liz Bury (July 24, 2013). [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/24/jk-rowling-robert-galbraith-harry-potter "JK Rowling tells story of alter ego Robert Galbraith"]. ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref>Margaret Lyons (July 24, 2013). [https://www.vulture.com/2013/07/jk-rowling-explains-her-pseudonym.html "J.K. Rowling Explains Her Pseudonym"]. ''Vulture''.</ref> Robert Colvile, the author of a 2016 article about Robert Galbraith Heath, claimed Rowling "could not have known about" Heath in 2013 when she chose the name, because it came before his article and "everyone had forgotten" about Heath.<ref name="TERFmerchToF">Arturo Garcia (September 24, 2020). [https://www.truthorfiction.com/jk-rowling-terf-merch/ "Did J.K. Rowling Promote a Website Selling Transphobic Merchandise?"]. ''Truth or Fiction?''.</ref> In actual fact, Heath's [[Wikipedia]] page was created in 2007, and from the point of creation made reference in-text to his experiments on black people, and view of them as "animals"; a citation referenced one of Heath's conversion therapy experiments in its title.<ref>(February 5, 2007). [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_Galbraith_Heath&oldid=105962033 "Robert Galbraith Heath"] (old revision). ''Wikipedia''.</ref> A winter 2006 article in ''The New Atlantis'' (a conservative journal),<ref>Adam Keiper (Winter 2006). [https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-age-of-neuroelectronics "The Age of Neuroelectronics"]. ''The New Atlantis''.</ref> a September 2008 article in the neuroscience blog ''Mind Hacks'',<ref>Vaughan Bell (September 16, 2008). [https://mindhacks.com/2008/09/16/erotic-self-stimulation-and-brain-implants/ "Erotic self-stimulation and brain implants"]. ''Mind Hacks''.</ref> an October 2010 article in Vice's ''Motherboard'',<ref>Don Caldwell (October 18, 2010). [https://www.vice.com/en/article/ezzvem/wireheading-1950s-wetware-hacking "Wireheading: This Strange Experiment from the 1950s Wired Pleasure Directly Into the Brain"]. ''Motherboard''. Vice.</ref> an April 2012 ''CRC Press'' book,<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=O6q8SbgeWjwC&q=heath#v=snippet&q=heath&f=false "Neurotechnology: Premises, Potential, and Problems"], p. 151. ''CRC Press''.</ref> and a May 2012 article in ''[[Scientific American]]''<ref>John Horgan (May 14, 2012). [https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/what-are-sciences-ugliest-experiments/ "What Are Science's Ugliest Experiments?"]. ''Cross-Check''. Scientific American.</ref> all discussed Heath's brutal experiments, and half the time named him in full as "Robert Galbraith Heath". To state that she ''could not have known about this guy'' is completely inaccurate, although it is likely to have been an accidental coincidence in any case. Even if she ''did'' know, it's much more likely that she simply didn't care, rather than having had some kind of admiration for Heath. ==Other political views== {{cquote|''Because bigotry is probably the thing I detest most. All forms of intolerance, the whole idea of “that which is different from me is necessary evil.” I really like to explore the idea that difference is equal and good. But there's another idea that I like to explore, too. Oppressed groups are not, generally speaking, people who stand firmly together – no, sadly, they kind of subdivide among themselves and fight like hell. That's human nature, so that's what you see here. This world of wizards and witches, they're already ostracized, and then within themselves, they've formed a loathsome pecking order.''|||JK Rowling explaining why she included themes of bigotry in her books<ref name=jensen>Jeff Jensen, "[https://ew.com/books/2000/08/04/jk-rowling-harry-potter-and-goblet-fire/ J.K. Rowling talks about writing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]", ''Entertainment Weekly'', September 7, 2000</ref>}} In a 2000 interview, Rowling described herself as left-wing.<ref name=jensen /> As early as 2002, Rowling claimed that one of her biggest writing influences had been {{wpl|Jessica Mitford||,}} whom she described as a "self-taught [[socialist]]" (Mitford had also been a member of the [[CPUSA|Communist Party of the United States]] until 1958).<ref> Lindsay Fraser, ''The Scotsman'', November 2002, archived at [http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2002/1102-fraser-scotsman.html Accio Quote!]</ref> She also donated to Labour<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/sep/20/labourconference.jkrowling JK Rowling gives Labour £1m donation], 20 September 2008</ref> and was openly supportive of the [[Welfare policy of the United Kingdom|British welfare state]]<ref>[https://www.taxfairness.ca/en/news/j-k-rowling-paying-taxes-and-welfare-state JK Rowling on paying taxes and the welfare state]</ref> in the late 2000s. In April 2010, she wrote a Single Mother's Manifesto criticising Tory austerity and [[David Cameron]].<ref>[https://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/morleyd/entry/jk_rowling_the/ The Single Mother's Manifesto], originally pushed in The Times</ref> However, she was very critical of [[Jeremy Corbyn]], a remnant of Labour's Old Left,<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/31/this-isnt-bloody-funny-jk-rowling-laments-corbyns-strong-position JK Rowling gave "blast of reality" on Jeremy Corbyn]</ref> and mocked his (honestly mediocre and half-assed) stance on [[Brexit]].<ref name=jeremy>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/23/jk-rowling-mocks-jeremy-corbyn-brexit-stance-twitter-thread JK Rowling mocks "Saint Jeremy" over Brexit]. The Guardian, 23 December 2018.</ref> This was driven by fear that it would lead to a repeat of {{wpl|the longest suicide note in history||,}} which resulted in the Tories, under Margaret Thatcher, winning re-election in 1983 and control over national politics until 1997.<ref name=jeremy /><ref>[https://www.vox.com/2016/9/1/12749364/jk-rowling-jeremy-corbyn-twitter-row JK Rowling is in a massive Twitter war about the future of progressive politics in Britain]</ref> Rowling expressed her opposition to [[Scottish National Party|Scottish independence]] at the time of the 2014 independence referendum, donating £1m to the anti-independence group Better Together.<ref>Alexandra Siierlin, [https://time.com/3305015/j-k-rowling-twitter-scotland-independence/ J.K. Rowling Tweets Her Opposition to Scottish Independence], ''Time'', 8 September 2014.</ref><ref name="DeathEaterish>(June 11, 2014). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jk-rowling-calls-scottish-independence-711062/ "J.K. Rowling Calls Scottish Independence Efforts 'Death Eaterish'"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''. The Associated Press.</ref> This didn't endear her to some Scottish Nationalists, and she received online abuse, which caused her to double down in her opposition to independence, accusing Scottish nationalists of bigotry; she also called out the "blood and soil" ethnonationalists [[Siol nan Gaidheal]], who are certainly bigots but whose membership is so small they can hardly be considered representative of anything.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/06/jk-rowling-attacked-for-saying-scottish-nationalism-contains-traces-of-bigotry JK Rowling attacked for saying Scottish nationalism 'contains traces of bigotry'], The Guardian, 6 July 2018</ref> She called the independence movement "Death Eaterish".<ref name="DeathEaterish/> In 2015, she signed a letter stating that "cultural [[boycott]]s singling out Israel are divisive and discriminatory, and will not further peace."<ref name="InsiderIsrael">Megan Willett-Wei (October 27, 2015). [https://www.businessinsider.com/jk-rowlings-harry-potter-essay-on-palestine-and-israel-2015-10 "J.K. Rowling wrote about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict using her 'Harry Potter' characters as examples"]. ''Business Insider''.</ref><ref>(October 22, 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/22/israel-needs-cultural-bridges-not-boycotts-letter-from-jk-rowling-simon-schama-and-others "Letters: Israel needs cultural bridges, not boycotts – letter from JK Rowling, Simon Schama and others"]. ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref>(October 23, 2015). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/jk-rowling-tops-list-of-uk-artists-opposing-israel-boycott/ "J. K. Rowling tops list of UK artists opposing Israel boycott"]. ''The Times of Israel''.</ref> In response to criticism of this, she wrote a bizarre essay which criticized Israel (though particularly [[Netanyahu]]), but also argued young Harry Potter would be upset with her decision not to boycott Israel. Dumbledore and an older Harry Potter would have agreed with her refusal to boycott Israel, she added.<ref>Sam Kriss (November 2, 2015). [https://www.vice.com/en/article/4wb7j3/what-harry-potter-cant-tell-us-about-the-israel-palestine-conflict-830 "JK Rowling's Weird, Nonsensical Claim That Dumbledore Would Have Been Against a Boycott of Israel"]. ''Vice''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20231016171341/https://www.vice.com/en/article/4wb7j3/what-harry-potter-cant-tell-us-about-the-israel-palestine-conflict-830 (Archived version)].</ref><ref name="InsiderIsrael"/><ref>Gita Jackson (October 3, 2018). [https://kotaku.com/j-k-rowling-needs-to-stop-messing-with-harry-potter-1829503693 "J.K. Rowling Needs To Stop Messing With Harry Potter"]. ''Kotaku''.</ref> In 2018, she released a Cormoran Strike novel featuring a pair of far-left "Israel-hating antisemites" as the villains.<ref name="JTAIsrael">Yvette Alt Miller (September 23, 2018). [https://web.archive.org/web/20221204114409/https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/2018-09-23/ty-article/in-j-k-rowlings-new-novel-a-villain-is-an-israel-hating-anti-semite/0000017f-e9f3-da9b-a1ff-edff118a0000 "In J.K. Rowling’s New Novel, the Villain Is an Israel-hating anti-Semite"]. ''Jewish Telegraphic Agency'', via Haaretz.</ref> Rowling told off [[Vladimir Putin]] when he had the gall to compare Western sanctions against Russia to Rowling being "canceled" for her TERF views.<ref>Arnaud Siad, Nathan Hodge and Toyin Owoseje, [https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/25/world/jk-rowling-putin-intl-scli-gbr/index.html J.K. Rowling hits back at Putin after he likened Russia to her in rant against cancel culture]. CNN, 25 March 2022.</ref> In apparent response to her stance, a group of Russian trolls pranked her, convincing her that she was in a video conference with [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]]. Roughly fifteen minutes of strange nonsense ensued, with Rowling agreeing to "look into" changing Harry Potter's scar due to its similarity to the Russian {{wpl|Z (military symbol)|"Z" symbol|.}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRtGHtYTm6k "J.K. Rowling pranked by Russian pranksters"].</ref><ref>James Hibberd (June 23, 2022). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/j-k-rowling-volodymyr-zelensky-zoom-prank-1235170917/ "J.K. Rowling Pranked by Russians Impersonating Ukraine President Zelensky on Zoom Call"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''.</ref>{{efn|Obviously, she learned this was a prank afterwards. But now you know that Harry Potter with a Ukrainian trident for a scar was almost canon. At least if [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WordOfGod Word of God] equals canon to you.}} ==See also== *[[Anita Bryant]], another celebrity whose subsequent bigotry has completely overshadowed her legacy *[[Philosopher's stone]] *[[Tatsuya Ishida]], another once-popular writer turned TERF (and in his case, later turned neo-fascist) ==External links== *[http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/11-07-13/ Religion in Harry Potter] — ''Skeptic'' *[https://boolean-union.com/dissections/boolunion/truthyouth/BU.TTODD.TFY12.PART1.html Boolean Union Tract Dissections review of The Truth For Youth's ''Hairy Polarity and the Sinister Sorcery Satire'' comic] *[https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2007/jul/17/harrypottersbigconisthep Harry Potter's big con is the prose] *[https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/07/opinion/harry-potter-and-the-childish-adult.html Harry Potter and the childish adult] *[https://www.vox.com/culture/23622610/jk-rowling-transphobic-statements-timeline-history-controversy "Is J.K. Rowling transphobic? Let’s let her speak for herself."] — ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'' *[[ContraPoints]] video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gDKbT_l2us on J. K. Rowling] *[[Shaun]]'s videos [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1iaJWSwUZs on Harry Potter] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou_xvXJJk7k JK Rowling's New Friends] ==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}} ==References== {{reflist|2|80%}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rowling, JK}} [[Category:Ableism]] [[Category:Alt-lite]] [[Category:Antisemites]] [[Category:Autism woo]] [[Category:Authors]] [[Category:British people]] [[Category:Christians]] [[Category:Cult leaders]] [[Category:Denialists]] [[Category:Holocaust denialists]] [[Category:Leftists who turned right with age]] [[Category:Liberals]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Media hysteria]] [[Category:Moral panics]] [[Category:Pseudoscience promoters]] [[Category:Racists]] [[Category:Slavery apologists]] [[Category:TERFs]] [[Category:Transphobes]]'
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'@@ -1,9 +1,4 @@ -{{bronze}} -[[File:Jk-rowling-crop.JPG|right|thumb|165px|Double, double toil and trouble.]] -{{gender}} - -{{cquote|every time rowling tweets the first part of her obituary gets shorter and the second part gets longer|||[[Shaun|shaun_vids]] on how Rowling's transphobia has not only [[#Tarnishing legacy as a beloved author|tarnished her current legacy]] but will likely [[Anita Bryant|define how the future remembers her]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20221217213122/https://twitter.com/shaun_vids/status/1604219451204845569</ref>}} -{{cquote|I would say that some of you have not understood the books. The Death Eaters claimed, 'We have been made to live in secret, and now is our time, and any who [[Queerphobia|stand in our way must be destroyed]]. If you disagree with us, [[False equivalency|you must die]].' They demonised and dehumanised those who were not like them. I am fighting what I see as a powerful, insidious, misogynistic movement, that has gained huge purchase in very influential areas of society. I do not see this particular movement as either benign or powerless.|||Rowling telling readers who thought ''Harry Potter'' was a story about finding community and fighting [[bigotry]] that it's actually about how trans people are just like Nazis<ref name="harrison2">Ellie Harrison, "[https://archive.is/Ettzf JK Rowling says she 'absolutely' knew Harry Potter fans would be 'deeply unhappy' over trans views]", The Independent, 14 March 2023</ref>}} -'''Joanne Rowling''', {{lived|1965}} pen name '''J(ust) K(idding) Rowling'''<ref group=note>J. K. Rowling wasn't given a middle name. When choosing to write under initials, she added a "K." after her grandmother, Kathleen. Wikipedia confidently states that her surname is pronounced ''/ˈroʊlɪŋ/ ROH-ling'', but most people ignore this.</ref> and sometimes known as<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220815043302/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling</ref> the male writer '''Robert Galbraith''',<ref group=note>Robert Galbraith is the name under which Rowling writes the Cormoran Strike detective novels for adults.</ref> is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[author]], former billionaire,<ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/books/news/article.cfm?c_id=134&objectid=10791515 From billionaire to millionaire], New Zealand Herald, 12 Mar, 2012</ref> prominent [[Trans-exclusionary radical feminism|TERF]] (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), and Nazi crimes denier.<ref name="JKRForward"/><ref name="JKRStranger"/> Since becoming a vocal TERF, she has been known among some ''Harry Potter'' fans as "'''she who must not be named'''"- a reference to a similar moniker for {{wpl|Lord Voldemort|Lord Voldemort,}} the main antagonist of her ''magnum opus''.<ref>[https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2020/07/jk-rowling-now-she-who-must-not-be-named-for-harry-potter-fans.html JK Rowling now 'she who must not be named' for Harry Potter fans] (04/07/2020) ''Newshub''.</ref> She went from hailed author of the beloved ''Harry Potter'' series to a fallen hero who now spends her time [[concern troll|concern trolling]] and defending [[transphobia]] as sacred and untouchable. +We at the "pro-transgender" Rationalwiki love transgender rapists raping women in women's spaces, it's the name of progressivism! We are all left-wing child-raping pedophiles ourselves, it's bring us immense sexual pleasure to see women and children get molester by men in dresses! +Transgender rights!! ==''Harry Potter'' series== '
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[ 0 => '{{bronze}}', 1 => '[[File:Jk-rowling-crop.JPG|right|thumb|165px|Double, double toil and trouble.]]', 2 => '{{gender}}', 3 => '', 4 => '{{cquote|every time rowling tweets the first part of her obituary gets shorter and the second part gets longer|||[[Shaun|shaun_vids]] on how Rowling's transphobia has not only [[#Tarnishing legacy as a beloved author|tarnished her current legacy]] but will likely [[Anita Bryant|define how the future remembers her]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20221217213122/https://twitter.com/shaun_vids/status/1604219451204845569</ref>}}', 5 => '{{cquote|I would say that some of you have not understood the books. The Death Eaters claimed, 'We have been made to live in secret, and now is our time, and any who [[Queerphobia|stand in our way must be destroyed]]. If you disagree with us, [[False equivalency|you must die]].' They demonised and dehumanised those who were not like them. I am fighting what I see as a powerful, insidious, misogynistic movement, that has gained huge purchase in very influential areas of society. I do not see this particular movement as either benign or powerless.|||Rowling telling readers who thought ''Harry Potter'' was a story about finding community and fighting [[bigotry]] that it's actually about how trans people are just like Nazis<ref name="harrison2">Ellie Harrison, "[https://archive.is/Ettzf JK Rowling says she 'absolutely' knew Harry Potter fans would be 'deeply unhappy' over trans views]", The Independent, 14 March 2023</ref>}}', 6 => ''''Joanne Rowling''', {{lived|1965}} pen name '''J(ust) K(idding) Rowling'''<ref group=note>J. K. Rowling wasn't given a middle name. When choosing to write under initials, she added a "K." after her grandmother, Kathleen. Wikipedia confidently states that her surname is pronounced ''/ˈroʊlɪŋ/ ROH-ling'', but most people ignore this.</ref> and sometimes known as<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220815043302/https://twitter.com/jk_rowling</ref> the male writer '''Robert Galbraith''',<ref group=note>Robert Galbraith is the name under which Rowling writes the Cormoran Strike detective novels for adults.</ref> is a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[author]], former billionaire,<ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/books/news/article.cfm?c_id=134&objectid=10791515 From billionaire to millionaire], New Zealand Herald, 12 Mar, 2012</ref> prominent [[Trans-exclusionary radical feminism|TERF]] (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), and Nazi crimes denier.<ref name="JKRForward"/><ref name="JKRStranger"/> Since becoming a vocal TERF, she has been known among some ''Harry Potter'' fans as "'''she who must not be named'''"- a reference to a similar moniker for {{wpl|Lord Voldemort|Lord Voldemort,}} the main antagonist of her ''magnum opus''.<ref>[https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2020/07/jk-rowling-now-she-who-must-not-be-named-for-harry-potter-fans.html JK Rowling now 'she who must not be named' for Harry Potter fans] (04/07/2020) ''Newshub''.</ref> She went from hailed author of the beloved ''Harry Potter'' series to a fallen hero who now spends her time [[concern troll|concern trolling]] and defending [[transphobia]] as sacred and untouchable.' ]
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