J.K. Rowling is dealing with backlash for her controversial views on transgender points, together with latest claims that “there aren’t any trans children.”
As a consequence of her remarks, the writer has discovered herself on the middle of one other social media storm months after being slammed for her remarks about boxer Imane Khelife.
Regardless of J.Okay. Rowling’s remarks, HBO has defended her function within the upcoming “Harry Potter” collection, stating that her artistic enter is invaluable.
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J.Okay. Rowling Says Trans Children Do Not Exist
Rowling has confronted backlash in recent times for her outspoken views on gender and girls’s rights, and now the “Harry Potter” writer has as soon as once more sparked controversy together with her latest remarks, asserting that “there aren’t any trans children” and dismissing the concept that people might be born within the incorrect physique.
In a publish on X, Rowling responded to a critic accusing her of “hateful deal with trans children,” writing: “There aren’t any trans children. No youngster is ‘born within the incorrect physique.'”
She doubled down: “There are solely adults such as you, ready to sacrifice the well being of minors to bolster your perception in an ideology that can find yourself wreaking extra hurt than lobotomies and false reminiscence syndrome mixed.”
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The Writer’s Remarks Sparked Fierce Debate On-line
There aren’t any trans children. No youngster is ‘born within the incorrect physique’. There are solely adults such as you, ready to sacrifice the well being of minors to bolster your perception in an ideology that can find yourself wreaking extra hurt than lobotomies and false reminiscence syndrome mixed. pic.twitter.com/yyc4MxgfOk
— J.Okay. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 28, 2024
Rowling’s assertion triggered a wave of reactions from throughout X (previously Twitter).
Supporters thanked the writer for defending what they noticed because the well-being of youngsters, with one person writing: “‘Thanks for being a robust voice in defending kids.”
One other commented, “Thanks for utilizing your voice and recognition to carry gentle to fact and rescue kids from life-altering errors.”
Nonetheless, not everybody agreed with Rowling’s assertion, as a number of on the social media platform criticized her stance.
One critic sarcastically questioned her authority on the topic, commenting, “You are additionally a medical knowledgeable. Did not know that. This factor that everybody well-known for something feels the urge to behave as an knowledgeable of one thing else… makes me loopy!”
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One other particular person famous: “Did not notice my accomplice would not exist! i assume she by no means was a trans child like, significantly. What do you say to the many individuals who transitioned youthful and reside completely happy lives now ?”
Another particular person mentioned, “I recall listening to Margaret Thatcher say this very factor again within the late 80s about gays and lesbians. What a manner to make use of your voice and platform. Have you ever ever thought of truly caring about ladies? You’ve got aligned your self with a number of the worst misogynists as a substitute. Unconscionable”
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J.Okay. Rowling’s Criticism Of Transgender Folks Has Intensified Over The Years
Earlier this yr, Rowling shared that former colleagues who had distanced themselves from her in public attributable to her views on transgender points privately reached out to “test they had been nonetheless associates.”
The writer has been vocal about her opposition to phrases like “individuals who menstruate,” describing such phrases and phrases as “cis” as rooted in ideology.
Regardless of her controversial stance, Rowling had earlier maintained that she helps the transgender group. In response to the Every day Mail, In June 2020, she revealed that she “liked trans folks” however famous that “erasing the idea of intercourse removes the power of many to meaningfully talk about their lives.”
Nonetheless, ever since, Rowling has solely change into increasingly more crucial of Trans folks and gender-affirming surgical procedures.
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In August this yr, she sparked fury on-line after commenting on Algerian boxer Imane Khelife, who participated within the ladies’s 66 kg (welterweight) boxing occasion on the 2024 Olympics and gained the gold medal.
Rowling caught flack after calling the boxer, who had been beforehand disqualified from one other competitors for not assembly gender eligibility guidelines, a “male who is aware of he is protected by a misogynist sporting institution.”
Khelife has since filed a lawsuit with French authorities, during which she named Rowling and Elon Musk for his or her alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment.”
HBO Defends The Writer Amid Backlash Over Trans Views And Upcoming Harry Potter Collection
Final month, HBO stood by Rowling after she confronted intense criticism over her views on transgender points.
The community acquired many complaints about Rowling’s function as government producer of the upcoming “Harry Potter” TV collection.
In a press release to Selection, the community responded: “We’re proud to as soon as once more inform the story of ‘Harry Potter’ – the heartwarming books that talk to the facility of friendship, resolve and acceptance. JK Rowling has a proper to precise her private views. We’ll stay centered on the event of the brand new collection, which is able to solely profit from her involvement.”
Regardless of HBO’s protection, the mission has drawn combined reactions. Some followers criticized the variation as “pointless,” whereas others threatened to boycott the collection over Rowling’s controversial remarks.
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J.Okay. Rowling Being Supported By Huge Studios May Signify A Shift In ‘Cancel Tradition’
In an interview with Newsweek, Evan Nierman, CEO of PR agency Purple Banyan, mentioned the worth of Warner Bros. Discovery, the dad or mum firm of HBO, supporting Rowling.
He famous, “By publicly supporting J.Okay. Rowling, Warner Bros. is investing in a colossally artistic and profitable writer, versus taking a public stance on the controversial transgender matter.”
In the meantime, cultural analyst and author Areej Shaikh steered that whereas Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) assist of Rowling might replicate a shift in how firms method cancel tradition, it would not signify a victory for Rowling within the broader cultural debate.
“This determination signifies a change towards extra publicly endorsing contentious personalities when their artistic affect is valued, however it doesn’t essentially imply Rowling has ‘gained’ the cultural warfare,” she mentioned.
Shaikh additionally famous that the studio “appears to be placing the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise’s cultural and monetary historical past forward of the divisive controversy” plaguing Rowling.
“This technique implies that as a substitute of adopting clear-cut positions, companies might now be navigating cancel tradition with a better emphasis on placing a steadiness between public opinion and artistic contribution,” the analyst concluded.