A Complete Breakdown of the J.K. Rowling Transgender Comments Controversy

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.

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.

In the most recent development, Rowling has been named in a lawsuit that accuses a number of X users of hateful cyberbullying. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won a gold medal in the women's welterweight event at the Paris Olympics this year. During her campaign, she found herself at the centre of an online debate about gender in sports. Rowling wrote several tweets about the boxer, calling her gender identity into question. Rowling's comments have been widely criticised.

Here, we break down exactly what has happened so far and what has been said by J.K. Rowling over the years.

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 allegedly 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?”

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

Most Popular

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 you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.”

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.”

Most Popular

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:

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

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.

13 TV shows that changed everything for LGBTQ+ representationGallery13 PhotosView GalleryMost Popular

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.”

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

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.”

Most PopularThis incredible project captures the beauty of trans womenGallery16 PhotosView Gallery

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 difficult 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.”

Most Popular

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

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.

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.

Most Popular

She told Graham Norton during a Virgin Radio interview in August 2022: “I was asked to be on that, and I decided I didn’t want to do it. I thought it was about the films more than the books, you know? Quite rightly, as that is what the anniversary was about, so no one said, ‘Don’t come.’”

Graham Norton defends his decision to interview J.K. Rowling

In September 2022, Graham Norton spoke about having J.K. Rowling as a guest on his radio show. He told The Times that while he wouldn't want to “air” her views, it's not his decision who appears on his show – and he doesn't think you shouldn't have conversations with those you disagree with.

Describing her views as “problematic”, he said: “So I wouldn’t have her on to air her views. But she has the right to still wang on about her crime novel. The easiest thing would be to not have her on, but that didn’t seem right.

“We should talk to people that we disagree with and I would not further any cause by not having her on. She will still sell a gazillion books. Also, I got an insight into her when she talked about enjoying the pub brawl aspect of Twitter. I thought, ‘Oh, now I get it — you enjoy this.’”

Tom Felton says that J.K. Rowling didn't have much involvement in the Harry Potter movies

He told The Independent in October 2022: “First of all, I don’t know enough about the specifics of what anyone said. My dog takes up far too much time for me to go into such matters. I mean, the obvious things to say are that I’m pro-choice, pro-discussion, pro-human rights across the board, and pro-love. And anything that is not those things, I don’t really have much time for."

Of Rowling, he said: “She wasn’t part of the filmmaking process as much as some people might think. I think I only recall seeing her once or twice on set.”

He did add, however: “Honestly, with my friends, we all have differing opinions on various matters, and we celebrate our own choices. We certainly don’t take any pleasure in putting crosshairs on people that may have said things that we disagree with.”

J.K. Rowling speaks out on the Gender Recognition Act reform in Scotland

In October 2022, J.K. Rowling backed protests over the Scottish gender bill, which sets out to make it easier for people to be legally recognised as their preferred gender.

The new law sets out that anyone aged 16 or over who has lived in their "acquired gender" for at least three months would be eligible to apply, and removes the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

J.K. Rowling argued that the new law will affect the most vulnerable women, writing on her website: “In consequence, intact males who’re judged to have met the meagre requirements will be considered as ‘valid’ and entitled to protections as those who’ve had full sex reassignment surgery, and more male-bodied individuals will assert more strongly a right to be in women’s spaces such as public bathrooms, changing rooms, rape support centres, domestic violence refuges, hospital wards and prison cells that were hitherto reserved for women.”

Most Popular

She also argued that trans women could “retain male patterns of criminality”.

Daniel Radcliffe explains why he wrote his open letter in response to J.K. Rowling

Daniel Radcliffe spoke again on the matter in November 2022, telling Indiewire: “The reason I was felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing ‘Potter,’ I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that. And so seeing them hurt on that day I was like, I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important.”

He went on: “It was really important as I’ve worked with the Trevor Project for more than 10 years, and so I don’t think I would’ve been able to look myself in the mirror had I not said anything. But it’s not mine to guess what’s going on in someone else’s head.”

Reports emerge that the Fantastic Beasts franchise has been cancelled

After three films – including the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore in April this year – a report by Variety indicates that there are currently no plans to develop another instalment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise. This is despite Rowling previously indicating there would be five films in total.

Ahead of its release, campaigners call for Harry Potter fans to boycott Hogwarts Legacy

Many trans people and allies have spoken out about buying the new video game – which is believed not to have been created with J.K. Rowling directly, but will likely earn royalties for the writer.

One trans gaming writer, Jessie Earl, argued that Harry Potter shouldn't have to let go of the books and movies they have loved for years – but supporting a new product from the franchise would be directly supporting J.K. Rowling and her views. The author responded in a mocking way:

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

Most Popular

Other transgender Harry Potter fans have opened up about why they have decided to buy the game, and wish to enjoy it without judgement.

As far as J.K. Rowling's connection with Hogwarts Legacy goes, the makers of the game have stated in FAQs: “J.K. Rowling is not involved in the creation of the game, but as creator of the wizarding world and one of the world’s greatest storytellers, her extraordinary body of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World. This is not a new story from J.K. Rowling, however we have collaborated closely with her team on all aspects of the game to ensure it remains in line with the magical experiences fans expect.”

Fans come out against a new, Rowling-produced Harry Potter TV show series

While it's perhaps not surprising that J.K. Rowling would get an executive producer credit for the series, fans have taken to Twitter to talk about how this undermines the queer and trans community, after all that the author has said about issues that affect their daily lives.

One user tweeted: “Can we all pretend that the Harry Potter show isnt happening? Like no one even mentions it from now on, we don't even talk about it, it just doesn't exist. Treat that show the way HBO Max treats its queer shows”.

Another posted: “My fellow anti-Harry Potter activists: please, don't even hate watch the new version when it comes out. We desperately need the funniest thing ever to happen (it being cancelled before Deathly Hallows)”. While another came up with a rather creative way to oppose a new series, modelled on the novel's names themselves:

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

J.K. Rowling says she'd rather go to prison than use a trans person's pronouns

On 17th October 2023, Rowling posted an image on X, formerly Twitter, showing the words “Repeat after us: Trans women are women,” projected onto a wall, with the caption: “No.”

Most Popular

In response, a user commented: “Vote Labour, get a two year stretch”, referring to recent promises that if Labour were to get into power at the next election, they would clamp down on anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crimes. Gender-related ‘aggravated offences’ could carry a prison sentence of up to two years, according to a Mail on Sunday report, including misgendering.

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

Rowling replied: “I'll happily do two years if the alternative is compelled speech and forced denial of the reality and importance of sex. Bring on the court case, I say. It'll be more fun than I've ever had on a red carpet.”

Rowling then went onto joke with a follower who wrote ‘see you on the inside’ about hypothetical interactions in prison, saying she hoped for library duty and accidentally shrinking laundry.

J.K. Rowling speaks out about the reporting of Scarlet Blake's prison sentence

In 2024, the author was criticised for her comments about Scarlet Blake, a trans woman who was found guilty of murdering a young man in Oxford months after live streaming killing a cat.

Rowling first retweeted a post on X from The Guardian's Louise Tickle, in which the journalist claimed that The Guardian should have disclosed that Blake was transgender in their coverage. “Every single word of this,” Rowling wrote in her response.

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

Most Popular

Rowling went on to tweet, “I'm so sick of this sh*t. This is not a woman. These are #NotOurCrimes," reposting a tweet from Sky News in which the outlet referred to Blake as a “woman”.

Another X user responded to the tweet, writing, “What a weird thing to complain about. As if there aren't plenty of cis women that have committed crimes. What does it matter how this person identifies?” Rowling tweeted in reply: "1. Crime statistics are rendered useless if violent and sexual attacks committed by men are recorded as female crimes. 2. Activists are already clamouring for this sadistic killer to be incarcerated in a women’s prison. 3. Ideologically-driven misinformation is not journalism.”

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

There has been plenty of backlash to Rowling's comments.

“JK Rowling using the #NotOurCrimes hashtag is very problematic,” wrote doctoral researcher Thomas Willett. “Crimes do not belong to a group of people. We do not criminalise groups of people based on the crimes committed by a few. This thinking is what leads to racism, homophobia and transphobia.”

J.K. Rowling challenges the Scottish Hate Crime Act, claiming, “I look forward to being arrested”

On April 1, 2024, The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into affect. The Act made it a criminal offence “to stir up hatred based on prejudice towards characteristics including age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics.”

Rowling took to X on the same day, voicing her stance on the Act.

“In passing the Scottish Hate Crime Act, Scottish lawmakers seem to have placed higher value on the feelings of men performing their idea of femaleness, however misogynistically or opportunistically, than on the rights and freedoms of actual women and girls,” she wrote. "The new legislation is wide open to abuse by activists who wish to silence those of us speaking out about the dangers of eliminating women's and girls’ single-sex spaces, the nonsense made of crime data if violent and sexual assaults committed by men are recorded as female crimes, the grotesque unfairness of allowing males to compete in female sports, the injustice of women’s jobs, honours and opportunities being taken by trans-identified men, and the reality and immutability of biological sex.

Most Popular

“For several years now, Scottish women have been pressured by their government and members of the police force to deny the evidence of their eyes and ears, repudiate biological facts and embrace a neo-religious concept of gender that is unprovable and untestable. The re-definition of 'woman' to include every man who declares himself one has already had serious consequences for women's and girls’ rights and safety in Scotland, with the strongest impact felt, as ever, by the most vulnerable, including female prisoners and rape survivors.”

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

Rowling went on to state that she “looks forward” to being arrested if her comments constitute a criminal offence: “I'm currently out of the country, but if what I've written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.”

Police Scotland issued a statement that it had not received any complaints over the posts.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also made a statement to The Daily Telegraph in response to Rowling's comments: “People should not be criminalised for stating simple facts on biology,” said Sunak. "We believe in free speech in this country, and Conservatives will always protect it."

Organisation Scottish Trans wrote an explainer about the new Act, in which they broke down what constitutes a hate crime: “It is important though to know that many forms of prejudiced or offensive behaviour are NOT hate crimes. It is not a crime to be prejudiced, and the right to freedom of expression means that people may express their prejudice in offensive, shocking or disturbing ways, without crossing the line into criminal behaviour.”

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

J.K. Rowling hints that she would not forgive Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for their comments in support of the trans community

On 11 April 2024, J.K. Rowling made numerous comments on X regarding the Cass review into Gender care in the UK - after which one X user responded: “Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology… safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them.”

Most Popular

The author responded: “Not safe, I’m afraid. Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.”

X content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

J.K. Rowling comments on Imane Khelif's participation in the Olympics — and is later named in a lawsuit

During the 2024 Paris Olympics, J.K. Rowling was amongst a group of people who made comments about boxer Imane Khelif on social media.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was born female and does not identify as transgender or intersex. She is backed by the International Olympic Committee, who stated “scientifically, this is not a man fighting a woman.” However, when it was revealed that she was born with an X chromosome, many people, including Rowling, took to social media to debate her gender and her suitability as a competitor in the women's category.

Most Popular

“Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better?” wrote Rowling in a tweet. “The smirk of a male who’s knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered.”

“The idea that those objecting to a male punching a female in the name of sport are objecting because they believe Khelif to be ‘trans’ is a joke,” wrote Rowling in a follow-up tweet. “We object because we saw a male punching a female.”

Khelif is now reportedly pressing charges against users on X, including Elon Musk and Rowling. Nabil Boudi, Khelif's attorney, told Variety, “J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others. Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”

Pedro Diaz, Khelif's coach, also spoke to Variety about the controversy. “The first time she fought in the Olympics, there was this crazy storm outside of the ring,” he said. “I had never seen anything so disgusting in my life."

This article will be updated as new information is available.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLjApqauqp2WtKLGyKecZ5ufY8Kse8Crq6KbnJp8q7eMq6awpJmjtG7A0ZqlrJ%2BVo7GmvoycpqallaPBtHnCqKWtqp%2BrsrO%2F2A%3D%3D

 Share!