J.K. Rowling is dealing with backlash for her controversial views on transgender points, together with latest claims that “there are not any trans youngsters.”
Attributable to her remarks, the writer has discovered herself on the heart 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 position within the upcoming “Harry Potter” collection, stating that her artistic enter is invaluable.
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J.Okay. Rowling Says Trans Youngsters Do Not Exist
Rowling has confronted backlash lately for her outspoken views on gender and ladies’s rights, and now the “Harry Potter” writer has as soon as once more sparked controversy along with her latest remarks, asserting that “there are not any trans youngsters” and dismissing the concept people may be born within the unsuitable physique.
In a submit on X, Rowling responded to a critic accusing her of “hateful concentrate on trans youngsters,” writing: “There are not any trans youngsters. No baby is ‘born within the unsuitable 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 are not any trans youngsters. No baby is ‘born within the unsuitable 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 kids, with one person writing: “‘Thanks for being a robust voice in defending youngsters.”
One other commented, “Thanks for utilizing your voice and recognition to convey gentle to fact and rescue youngsters 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 individual famous: “Did not notice my associate would not exist! i assume she by no means was a trans child like, severely. What do you say to the many individuals who transitioned youthful and reside blissful lives now ?”
Yet another individual stated, “I recall listening to Margaret Thatcher say this very factor again within the late 80s about gays and lesbians. What a approach to make use of your voice and platform. Have you ever ever thought of really caring about ladies? You’ve got aligned your self with a few of the worst misogynists as an alternative. Unconscionable”
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J.Okay. Rowling’s Criticism Of Transgender Individuals 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 “examine they have been nonetheless buddies.”
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 neighborhood. In keeping with the Every day Mail, In June 2020, she revealed that she “cherished 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 turn out to be increasingly more vital 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 Sequence
Final month, HBO stood by Rowling after she confronted intense criticism over her views on transgender points.
The community obtained many complaints about Rowling’s position as government producer of the upcoming “Harry Potter” TV collection.
In an announcement 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 ability of friendship, resolve and acceptance. JK Rowling has a proper to specific her private views. We are going to stay targeted on the event of the brand new collection, which can solely profit from her involvement.”
Regardless of HBO’s protection, the undertaking 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 Would possibly Signify A Shift In ‘Cancel Tradition’
In an interview with Newsweek, Evan Nierman, CEO of PR agency Crimson 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 urged that whereas Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) assist of Rowling could replicate a shift in how corporations strategy cancel tradition, it would not signify a victory for Rowling within the broader cultural debate.
“This choice signifies a change towards extra publicly endorsing contentious personalities when their artistic affect is valued, nevertheless it doesn’t essentially imply Rowling has ‘gained’ the cultural struggle,” she stated.
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 an alternative of adopting clear-cut positions, corporations could now be navigating cancel tradition with the next emphasis on putting a stability between public opinion and artistic contribution,” the analyst concluded.