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A breakdown of the J.K Rowling

transgender comments and why the
Hogwarts Legacy video game is so
controversial
The J.K. Rowling transgender debate explained.

By Fiona Ward
7 Februar y 2023

J.K. Rowling has been at the centre of transphobia

accusations for many years, in a timeline that began with
the ‘liking’ of a tweet that seemingly criticised the
transgender rights movement to lengthy personal blogs on
gender and feminism.

The Harry Potter author, beloved by many for creating the

world of Hogwarts and more – has faced considerable
backlash for her comments, including from cast members
of both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film
franchises.

And while a report by Variety indicates that there are no

plans to develop another instalment of the Fantastic Beasts
films due to dwindling viewer ratings, another product has
entered the Potterverse – Hogwarts Legacy, a much-
anticipated immersive video game in which players can
enrol at Hogwarts, in a prequel story set in the 1800s.

WATC H

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Based on presale figures alone, Hogwarts Legacy is

expected to be one of the biggest game releases of 2023 –
though many have called upon fans to boycott it based on
its connection with J.K. Rowling and her controversial
views on gender and extreme feminism.

Here, we break down exactly what has happened so far

and what has been said by J.K. Rowling – as well as the
likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Eddie
Redmayne – and how the Hogwarts Legacy launch fits into
the timeline.

READ MORE

'Mama, I need to go back in your tummy, so

I can come out again as a girl': My story of
raising a transgender daughter
"We have to listen closely to the kids who
are saying, "I can't bear this. I can't survive
this puberty. I can't live in this body""
By Ali Pantony

How did the J.K. Rowling controversy

start?
There have been reports about J.K. Rowling's opinions on
gender dating back to 2017 and 2018 when she ‘liked’
tweets that criticised the transgender movement and made
derogatory comments about trans women – which she
claimed in a statement and a later blog had been a
mistake.

In 2019, she publicly defended a British researcher named

Maya Forstater, who hadn't had a job contract renewed
because of her transphobic comments on social media.
“Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your
best life in peace and security. But force women out of
their jobs for stating that sex is real?” the author tweeted,
adding the hashtags #IStandWithMaya and #ThisIsNotaDrill.

Many began to associate J.K. Rowling with an extreme

feminist movement known as TERF – trans-exclusionary
radical feminism – as well as calling her out for
misrepresenting the legal case of Maya Forstater.

J.K. Rowling tweets about ‘people who

menstruate’
In June 2020, the writer retweeted an opinion piece
discussing ‘people who menstruate’, taking issue with the
phrase. She wrote: “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure
there used to be a word for those people. Someone help
me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

J.K. Rowling
@jk_rowling · Follow

‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a

word for those people. Someone help me out.
Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?

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She went on tweet further about her views: “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.”

She added: “The idea that women like me, who’ve been
empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship
because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women – ie,
to male violence – ‘hate’ trans people because they think
sex is real and has lived consequences – is a nonsense.

“I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that

feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with
UK
you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being Newsletters
trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being
Makeup Hair Skin Fashion Empowerment Entertainment Wellness Awards Shopping Video Discount Co
female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.”

READ MORE

These are the myths and misconceptions

about the trans community that we
urgently need to debunk
“Misinformation is a huge issue for the
trans community right now.”
By Munroe Bergdorf

J.K. Rowling shares a lengthy blog post

on ‘Sex and Gender Issues’
On 10 June 2020, she shared a piece on her personal
website entitled ‘J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for
Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues’.

In the post, she discussed her reasons for supporting Maya

Forstater and her “interest in trans issues”, as well as
speaking out on the “five reasons for being worried about
the new trans activism”.

She raised concerns about the effects on female

healthcare, education and safeguarding, and freedom of
speech, as well as cases of de-transitioning and the laws
surrounding transitioning. She also touched on her
experience of physical abuse at the hands of a man.

She insinuates that elements of the trans movement are

anti-women, writing: “It isn’t enough for women to be trans
allies. Women must accept and admit that there is no
material difference between trans women and themselves.

“Moreover, the ‘inclusive’ language that calls female

people ‘menstruators’ and ‘people with vulvas’ strikes
many women as dehumanising and demeaning. I
understand why trans activists consider this language to
be appropriate and kind, but for those of us who’ve had
degrading slurs spat at us by violent men, it’s not neutral,
it’s hostile and alienating.”

The author also expressed views about trans women

having access to female spaces, such as bathrooms. “I
believe the majority of trans-identified people not only
pose zero threat to others, but are vulnerable for all the
reasons I’ve outlined. Trans people need and deserve
protection. Like women, they’re most likely to be killed by
sexual partners. Trans women who work in the sex industry,
particularly trans women of colour, are at particular risk.
Like every other domestic abuse and sexual assault
survivor I know, I feel nothing but empathy and solidarity
with trans women who’ve been abused by men,” she
writes.

“So I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do

not want to make natal girls and women less safe. When
you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing
rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman –
and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may now
be granted without any need for surgery or hormones –
then you open the door to any and all men who wish to
come inside. That is the simple truth.”

Many took issue with a number of points J.K. made in the

article, including her use of studies and statistics. Trans
campaigner Andrew James Carter posted a long Twitter
thread on the subject:

Andrew James Carter

@Carter_AndrewJ · Follow

Since JK Rowling has blocked any reply to this

litany of half-truths and transphobic
dogwhistles, I thought I'd catalogue them
properly here:

J.K. Rowling @jk_rowling

TERF wars

jkrowling.com/answers/

1:40 AM · Jun 11, 2020

Read the full conversation on Twitter

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Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and

other Harry Potter stars respond to J.K.
Rowling's article
A number of actors who have starred in the film adaptions
of J.K. Rowling's books responded to the writer's piece –
the first being Daniel Radcliffe, who has worked with
LGBTQIA+ charity The Trevor Project for many years.

He wrote an open letter via the organisation. “While Jo is

unquestionably responsible for the course my life has
taken, as someone who has been honoured to work with
and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the
last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to
say something at this moment,” he wrote.

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He added: “Transgender women are women. Any

statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of
transgender people and goes against all advice given by
professional health care associations who have far more
expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.
According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and
non-binary youth reported being the subject of
discrimination due to their gender identity. It’s clear that
we need to do more to support transgender and non-
binary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause
further harm.”

You can read the full open letter here.

After Daniel's response, other stars from the Potterverse

began to have their say. Emma Watson tweeted: “Trans
people are who they say they are and deserve to live their
lives without being constantly questioned or told they
aren’t who they say they are… I want my trans followers to
know that I and so many other people around the world see
you, respect you, and love you for who you are.

“I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash. If you

can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same. Happy
#PRIDE2020 Sending love x.”

Emma Watson
@EmmaWatson · Follow

Trans people are who they say they are and

deserve to live their lives without being
constantly questioned or told they aren’t who
they say they are.
4:15 AM · Jun 11, 2020

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Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter

films, and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) also issued
statements supporting trans people.

Eddie Redmayne – who stars in the Fantastic Beasts

franchise and also played a transgender woman Lili Elbe in
the movie The Danish Girl (of which he has since said, as a
cisgender man, was a “mistake”) – issued a message to
Variety on J.K. Rowling's views.

“Respect for transgender people remains a cultural

imperative, and over the years I have been trying to
constantly educate myself,” he said. “This is an ongoing
process.”

He added: “As someone who has worked with both J.K.

Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to
make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s
comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men
and non-binary identities are valid. I would never want to
speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my
dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this
constant questioning of their identities, which all too often
results in violence and abuse. They simply want to live their
lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so.”

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Warner Bros. issues a statement

Days after J.K. Rowling's article, Warner Bros., the producer
of the Harry Potter movies, issued a statement to Variety –
though it didn't mention Rowling specifically.

“The events in the last several weeks have firmed our

resolve as a company to confront di$icult societal issues,”
the company said. “Warner Bros.’ position on inclusiveness
is well established, and fostering a diverse and inclusive
culture has never been more important to our company
and to our audiences around the world. We deeply value
the work of our storytellers who give so much of
themselves in sharing their creations with us all. We
recognise our responsibility to foster empathy and
advocate understanding of all communities and all people,
particularly those we work with and those we reach
through our content.”

J.K. Rowling speaks out on hormone

therapy
The author caused controversy again in July 2020, when
she liked a tweet that read: “Hormone prescriptions are the
new antidepressants. Yes they are sometimes necessary
and lifesaving, but they should be a last resort – not the
first option. Pure laziness for those who would rather
medicate than put in the time and effort to heal people's
minds.”

Many took the post as an insinuation that taking mental

health medication is “lazy” – as well as the assumption that
trans people are mentally unwell.

After receiving backlash, J.K. Rowling responded with a

long twitter thread, in which denied that she was criticising
mental health medication, but concerns about hormone
therapy, writing: “Many health professionals are concerned
that young people struggling with their mental health are
being shunted towards hormones and surgery when this
may not be in their best interests.”

She also described the use of hormone therapy as “a new

kind of conversion therapy for young gay people, who are
being set on a lifelong path of medicalisation that may
result in the loss of their fertility and/or full sexual
function.”

J.K. Rowling
@jk_rowling · Follow

I've ignored fake tweets attributed to me and

RTed widely. I've ignored porn tweeted at
children on a thread about their art. I've ignored
death and rape threats. I'm not going to ignore
this. 1/11

7:34 PM · Jul 5, 2020

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33K Reply Share

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J.K. Rowling releases book, Troubled

Blood
Under her known pen name, Robert Galbraith, J.K. Rowling
published her novel Troubled Blood in September 2020.
The story follows the investigation into the case of a male
murderer who dresses as a woman to entrap his victims –
fuelling speculation about her anti-trans views.

READ MORE

Daniel Radcliffe “needed to say something”

after J.K. Rowling’s transphobic comments
"It was really important."
By Kaitlyn McNab

Some stars come to J.K. Rowling's

defence
The late Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry
Potter films, spoke out in defence of the writer in
September 2020.

“I don’t think what she said was offensive, really,” he said. "I
don’t know why but there’s a whole Twitter generation of
people who hang around waiting to be offended,” he told
Radio Times. “They wouldn’t have won the war, would
they? That’s me talking like a grumpy old man, but you just
think, ‘Oh, get over yourself. Wise up, stand up straight,
and carry on.’”

And in January 2021, gender-fluid comedian Eddie Izzard

also spoke up. In an interview with The Telegraph, he said:
“I don’t think J.K. Rowling is transphobic. I think we need to
look at the things she has written about in her blog.
Women have been through such hell over history. Trans
people have been invisible, too.

“I hate the idea we are fighting between ourselves, but it’s

not going to be sorted with the wave of a wand. I don’t
have all the answers. If people disagree with me, fine – but
why are we going through hell on this?”

J.K. Rowling did not appear in the Harry

Potter 20th anniversary reunion show
The author did not appear on HBO's Harry Potter 20th
Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, which saw the likes of
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and other
members of the films' cast come together to reminisce –
though she did deny that she had been excluded from the
special, that was aired on 1 January 2022.