J.K. Rowling vs. transgender people

J.K. Rowling is a British author and the most prominent anti-transgender activist in the world. Rowling has used wealth and influence to cause tremendous harm to the trans rights movement worldwide, and particularly in the United Kingdom.

Rowling’s primary anti-trans focuses are:

falsely claiming “there are no trans kids”
supporting sex segregation, especially in sports and prisoner accommodation
opposing legal recognition on the basis of gender identity and expression
opposing value-neutral and inclusive scientific language about human anatomy and body functions
supporting the “LGB erasure” conspiracy theory, particularly the conspiracy that gender-affirming care is “conversion therapy” on lesbian, gay, and bisexual minors
opposing those who note Rowling is transphobic or a TERF, often threatening legal action against those who do
opposing what Rowling calls the “new trans activism”
Bankrolling Beira’s Place in 2021, a trans-exclusionary private support service for victims of sexual violence
Creating the J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund in 2025 to fund anti-trans lawfare pertaining to “sex-based rights”
Threatening Amnesty International UK with legal action over 2026 reports on the anti-rights movements in the UK

Background

Joanne “Jo” Rowling was born on July 31, 1965 in Yate, Gloucestershire, England. Rowling’s parents both served in the British Navy before marrying. Rowling has a younger sibling Dianne. Rowling earned a bachelor’s degree from Exeter in 1987.

Rowling came up with the idea for the Harry Potter series in 1990. After holding several unfulfilling jobs, Rowling moved to Portugal to teach English. There, Rowling met journalist Jorge Arantes, and they married in 1992. They had a child Jessica in 1993, but Rowling left because the relationship was abusive. They divorced in 1995. Rowling earned a teaching certificate in 1996 and began teaching.

The first Harry Potter book was published in 1997. Since publication of the final book in 2007, the series has amassed a huge fandom for the franchise, including movie series, plays, video games, amusement park tie-ins, and extensive merchandizing. Rowling is one of the most successful authors in the history of publishing.

In 2001 Rowling married physician Neil Murray and purchased Killiechassie House, a Scottish estate. They have two children: David (born 2003) and Mackenzie (born 2005).

Rowling subsequently wrote additional children’s books and adult novels, including some under the pen name Robert Galbraith.

Anti-transgender activism

Starting in 2017, Rowling began gradually revealing anti-trans animus. On March 19, 2018, Rowling liked a tweet by “racybearhold” that said in part “Men in dresses get brocialist solidarity I never had. That’s misogyny!” Rowling’s action was explained away by Rowling’s publicist as a “clumsy and middle-aged moment.” In 2020, Rowling acknowledged “I’ve spent much of the last three years reading books, blogs and scientific papers by trans people, medics and gender specialists.”

In September 2018, Roewling liked a tweet by Janice Turner promoting Turner’s Times op-ed on trans prisoners;^[128] it had the tagline, “No fox has a right to live in a henhouse, even if he identifies as a hen.”

Rowling made a series of increasingly anti-transgender statements through 2019 that led up to a December 19 tweet in support of anti-trans activist Maya Forstater: “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? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.” A number of anti-trans activists cite this post as the inspiration for their own anti-trans activism.

Harper’s letter (2020)

Rowling signed the Harper’s letter with many other leading lights of anti-transgender extremism, including Meghan Daum, Caitlin Flanagan, David Frum, Michelle Goldberg, Jonathan Haidt, Katie Herzog, Phoebe Maltz Bovy, Steven Pinker, Katha Pollitt, Kat Rosenfield, Jesse Singal, Bari Weiss, Matthew Yglesias, Emily Yoffe, and Cathy Young. Trans author Jennifer Finney Boylan also signed and later requested to be removed.

2020 open letter

A 2020 Sunday Times open letter supporting Rowling was signed by many key figures in anti-transgender activism, including Lionel Shriver, Graham Linehan, Stella O’Malley, Nina Paley, Julie Bindel, Abigail Shrier, Lisa Marchiano, Zuby, Debbie Hayton, Jonny Best, Sam Leith, Malcolm Clark, and Jess de Wahls.

Gender Recognition Reform bills

In 2022 Rowling came out against the proposed Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. As Rowling’s anti-trans views became more strident, Rowling began openly supporting anti-transgender extremists in the UK and beyond.

Beira’s Place (2022)

Rowling also created Beira’s Place, a privately funded trans-exclusionary help center for cisgender women who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence. Rowling was enraged that other local resources offered help to trans people who had been sexually assaulted. Rowling was also enraged that the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre’s CEO Mridul Wadhwa is transgender. In a 2021 interview, Wadhwa said “this is about who has power and who doesn’t,” adding:

Sexual violence happens to bigoted people as well. And so, you know, it is not discerning crime. But these spaces are also for you. But if you bring unacceptable beliefs that are discriminatory in nature, we will begin to work with you on your journey of recovery from trauma. But please also expect to be challenged on your prejudices, because how can you heal from trauma and build a new relationship with your trauma, because you can’t forget, and you can’t go back to life before traumatic incident or traumatic incidents. And some of us never, ever had a life before traumatic incidents. But if you have to reframe your trauma, I think it is important as part of that reframing, having a more positive relationship with it, where it becomes a story that empowers you and allows you to go and do other more beautiful things with your life, you also have to rethink your relationship with prejudice. Otherwise, you can’t really, in my view, recover from trauma and I think that’s a very important message that I am often discussing with my colleagues that in various places.

Wadhwa’ appointment as CEO and comments were major factors in Rowling’s decision to bankroll Beira’s Place.

Anti-trans supporters

Rowling’s supporters are anti-trans activists from across the political spectrum and include Bari Weiss, Megan Phelps-Roper, Pamela Paul, Kathleen Stock, Maya Forstater, Alison Bailey, Helen Joyce, Graham Linehan, Lianne Timmerman, Angela Wild, Suzanne Moore, and Julie Bindel.

2024 comments on Nazi persecution of trans people

On March 13, 2024, X user jaytuberr posted in a thread on trans healthcare, “The Nazis burnt books on trans healthcare and research, why are you so desperate to uphold their ideology around gender?” Rowling then responded, “How did you type this out and press send without thinking ‘I should maybe check my source for this, because it might’ve been a fever dream’?” Many people interpreted Rowling’s post as denial of the 1933 Nazi looting and burning of Magnus Hirschfeld’s clinical books and research on trans people and sexual minorities. Rowling stated in part: “I’m familiar with such activists’ assertions that transgender people have been uniquely persecuted and oppressed throughout history, but claims that trans people were ‘the first targets’ of the Nazis – a claim I refuted on X, and which led to these accusations – and that I ‘uphold [Nazi] ideology around gender’ is a new low.”

2025 founding of the J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund

On May 24, 2025, Rowling publicly announced the creation of the J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund to promote anti-trans lawfare. Rowling stated that the project would be financed from Rowling’s personal resources.

The Fund’s website describes its purpose as providing financial assistance to individuals and organizations pursuing legal actions intended to protect women’s and girls’ “sex-based rights” in areas including employment, sports, clubs, and single-sex spaces. According to its published criteria, applicants must already have legal representation and must seek funding for cases capable of establishing legal precedent, enforcing existing equality law, or clarifying legal obligations.

2026 Amnesty International UK anti-rights reports

In May 2026, Amnesty International released the first of two reports on anti-rights movements in the UK. These expanded on their similar 2025 report and included organizations categorized as conversion therapy and gender critical. One of the organizations listed was Beira’s Place.

The report was immediately attacked by listed entities and their key people. In response, Amnesty International UK removed the report pending internal review. After the report was removed, anti-trans extremist J.K. Rowling posted on X: “Should any of the women’s organisations targeted by @AmnestyUK’s recent ‘anti-rights’ blacklist wish to take legal action, applications can be made to the JK Rowling Women’s Fund.”

Media criticism

Rowling’s critics include numerous LGBT rights organizations, authors, actors who have appeared in filmed versions of Rowling’s books, and the vast majority of the trans community.

Contrapoints with Natalie Wynn (April 17, 2023). The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmT0i0xG6zg

Shaun (October 14, 2022). JK Rowling’s New Friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou_xvXJJk7k

Contrapoints with Natalie Wynn (January 26, 2021). J.K. Rowling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gDKbT_l2us

References

2024

Reed, Erin (December 29, 2024). JK Rowling Falsely Claims “There Are No Trans Kids.” Erin in the Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/jk-rowling-falsely-claims-there-are

Hayes, Britt (March 15, 2024). J.K. Rowling’s Transphobia Hits a New Low With Holocaust Denial. The Mary Sue https://www.themarysue.com/j-k-rowling-holocaust-denial-nazi-transphobic/

Rowling, J.K. (March 14, 2024). Statement from J.K. Rowling, 14th March 2024. https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/statement-from-j-k-rowling-14th-march-2024/

2023

Romano, Aja (March 3, 2023). Is J.K. Rowling transphobic? Let’s let her speak for herself. Vox https://www.vox.com/culture/23622610/jk-rowling-transphobic-statements-timeline-history-controversy

Gardner, Abby (February 7, 2023). A Complete Breakdown of the J.K. Rowling Transgender-Comments Controversy. Glamour https://www.glamour.com/story/a-complete-breakdown-of-the-jk-rowling-transgender-comments-controversy

Muir, Ellie (Feburary 20, 2023). A timeline of JK Rowling’s comments about women and transgender rights. The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-trans-rights-controversy-timeline-b2285947.html

2022

Ring, Trudy (19 December 2022). J.K. Rowling Lambasted for ‘Merry Terfmas’ Tweet. The Advocate.

Alex Bollinger (19 December 2022). JK Rowling gleefully tweets anti-trans “holiday” message to fan. LGBTQ Nation.

John Russel (13 December 2022). JK Rowling opened a rape crisis center that excludes trans women. LGBTQ Nation.

JK Rowling backs protest over Scottish gender bill. BBC News. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022. Author JK Rowling has supported a protest rally by wearing a T-shirt calling Scotland’s first minister a “destroyer of women’s rights”.

Chilton, Louis (25 April 2022). JK Rowling accused by Lesbian Visibility Week founder of ‘stirring hate within our community’. The Independent

Bollinger, Alex (25 April 2022). JK Rowling now thinks she can say who’s a lesbian & who’s not. LGBTQ Nation

Wakefield, Lily (26 April 2022). JK Rowling blasted as ‘perfect example of how not to be an ally’ by Lesbian Visibility Week founder. PinkNews

Pape, Madeleine (2022). Feminism, trans justice, and speech rights: a comparative perspective. Law and Contemporary Problems. 85 (1): 215–240.

Michèle, Joséphine (1 January 2022). Why Harry Potter’s Reunion Mostly Ignores JK Rowling. ScreenRant

2021

‘I’m team Terf’: Dave Chappelle under fire over pro-JK Rowling trans stance. The Guardian. 7 October 2021.

US quidditch leagues to change name in effort to break from JK Rowling. the Guardian. 20 December 2021.

Return to Hogwarts: Critics bemoan Rowling’s absence in Harry Potter reunion. BBC News. 29 December 2021

Romano, Nick (30 December 2021). Why J.K. Rowling didn’t join the Harry Potter reunion for the Return to Hogwarts special. Entertainment Weekly

Yasharoff, Hannah (30 December 2021). How the ‘Harry Potter’ reunion addresses author J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans controversy. USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/12/30/harry-potter-return-hogwarts-20th-reunion-emma-watson-jk-rowling-controversy/9042955002/

Yang, Maya (7 October 2021). ‘I’m team Terf’: Dave Chappelle under fire over pro-JK Rowling trans stance. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/oct/07/dave-chappelle-transgender-netflix-special-backlash

Hancock, Sam (27 April 2021). Maya Forstater: who is woman in employment tribunal over transgender comments?. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/maya-forstater-transgender-twitter-jk-rowling-b1838151.html [archive]

Duggan, Jennifer (28 March 2021). Transformative readings: Harry Potter fan fiction, trans/queer reader response, and J. K. Rowling. (PDF). Children’s Literature in Education. 53 (2): 147–168. doi:10.1007/s10583-021-09446-9.

Hibberd, James (17 March 2021). Ralph Fiennes defends J.K. rowling amid trans controversy, says backlash is ‘disturbing’. The Hollywood Reporter.

Staff report (4 January 2021). Feminist writer Judith Butler has given her theory on why JK Rowling has deemed it necessary to speak out on. Pink News. https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/01/04/judith-butler-owen-jones-jk-rowling-british-feminism-transphobia/

2020

Staff report (22 December 2020). BBC nominates J.K.Rowling’s controversial essay of trans rights for award. dw. https://www.dw.com/en/bbc-nominates-jk-rowlings-controversial-essay-on-trans-rights-for-award/a-56014673 [archive]

The winners:2020 Russell prize for best writing. BBC News. 21 December 2020. Archived

Law, Katie (15 October 2020). JK Rowling and the bitter battle of the book world. Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/books/trans-battle-book-world-jk-rowling-a4571221.html

Flood, Alison (9 October 2020). Stephen King, Margaret Atwood and Roxane Gay champion trans rights in open letter. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/oct/09/stephen-king-margaret-atwood-roxane-gay-champion-trans-rights-open-letter-jk-rowling

Skrebels, Joe (1 October 2020). WB Interactive president responds to ongoing debate over supporting JK Rowling. IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/wb-interactive-president-responds-to-ongoing-debate-over-supporting-jk-rowling

Kolirin, Lianne (15 September 2020). JK Rowling’s new book sparks fresh transgender rights row. CNN. Archived

JK Rowling’s latest book is about a murderous cis man who dresses as a woman to kill his victims. PinkNews. 14 September 2020. Archived

Review: Yep, J.K. Rowling’s new thriller has transphobic elements. It’s also a crashing bore. Los Angeles Times. 22 September 2020. Archived

Petter, Olivia (17 September 2020). Mermaids writes open letter to JK Rowling following her recent comments on trans people. The Independent https://web.archive.org/web/20200615235531/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mermaids-jk-rowling-transphobia-transgender-sexual-abuse-domestic-letter-a9565176.html [archive]

Flood, Alison (28 August 2020). JK Rowling returns human rights award to group that denounces her trans view”. The Guardian. Archived

A Statement from Kerry Kennedy. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights website. 3 August 2020. Archived

Chiu, Allyson (8 July 2020). Letter signed by J.K. Rowling, Noam Chomsky warning of stifled free speech draws mixed reviews. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/07/08/letter-harpers-free-speech/ [archive]

Harry Potter fan sites distance themselves from JK Rowling over transgender rights.” The Guardian. 3 July 2020. Archived

Chilton, Louis (3 July 2020). Harry Potter fan sites distance themselves from JK Rowling over transgender comments. Independent. Archived

Waterson, Jim (22 June 2020). Authors quit JK Rowling agency over transgender rights. The Guardian. Archived

Fitzsimons, Tim (19 June 2020). GOP senator quotes J.K. Rowling while blocking vote on LGBTQ bill. NBC News. Archived

Montgomerie, Katy (June 15, 2020). Addressing The Claims In JK Rowling’s Justification For Transphobia. Medium https://katymontgomerie.medium.com/addressing-the-claims-in-jk-rowlings-justification-for-transphobia-7b6f761e8f8f

Petter, Olivia (15 June 2020). JK Rowling criticised over ‘transphobic’ tweet about menstruation. The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jk-rowling-tweet-women-menstruate-people-transphobia-twitter-a9552866.html Archived

Thorpe, Vanessa (14 June 2020). JK Rowling: from magic to the heart of a Twitter storm. The Observer. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020. Arrayed on Rowling’s side are some of the veteran voices of feminism, including the radical Julie Bindel, who spoke out in support this weekend: “Her political position is nothing to do with transgender issues. She has always been a feminist and she has inspired generations of young women and men to look into issues of sex-based discrimination,” she told the Observer.

Thorpe, Vanessa (14 June 2020). JK Rowling: from magic to the heart of a Twitter storm. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/14/jk-rowling-from-magic-to-the-heart-of-a-twitter-storm [archive]

Moore, Matt (13 June 2020). Mermaids writes open letter to JK Rowling following her anti-trans tweets. Gay Times. Archived

Lewis, Isobel (12 June 2020). Rupert Grint speaks out after JK Rowling’s comments about trans people. The Independent.

An open letter to J.K. Rowling. Mermaids. 12 June 2020. Archived

Milne, Amber; Savage, Rachel (11 June 2020). Explainer: J. K. Rowling and trans women in single-sex spaces: what’s the furore? Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-lgbt-rowling-explainer-trfn-idUSKBN23I3AI

Rowley, Glenn (11 June 2020). Artists fire back at J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans remarks, share messages in support of the community. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/artists-fire-back-jk-rowling-anti-trans-remarks-9400386/

Staff report (11 June 2020). JK Rowling responds to trans tweets criticism. BBC News / Reuters https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53002557

Brooks, Libby (11 June 2020). Why is JK Rowling speaking out now on sex and gender debate? The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/11/why-is-jk-rowling-speaking-out-now-on-sex-and-gender-debate

Bui, Hoai-Tran (11 June 2020). The ‘Harry Potter’ Kids Are All Right: Emma Watson, Eddie Redmayne Condemn J.K. Rowling’s Trangender Comments. SlashFilm.com. Archived

Sommer, Marni; Kamowa, Virginia; Mahon, Therese (28 May 2020). Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate. Devex https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/opinion-creating-a-more-equal-post-covid-19-world-for-people-who-menstruate-97312 Archived

(11 June 2020.). JK Rowling responds to trans tweets criticism. BBC News

Haynes, Suyin (11 June 2020). Emma Watson, Eddie Redmayne and Other ‘Harry Potter’ Actors Voice Support for Transgender People. Time.

J K Rowling, predatory men and the nuance we’re all missing out. The Independent. 11 June 2020

Explainer: J. K. Rowling and trans women in single-sex spaces: what’s the furore?”. Reuters. 11 June 2020

Shirbon, Estelle (10 June 2020). J.K. Rowling reveals past abuse and defends right to speak on trans issues. Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-rowling/j-k-rowling-reveals-past-abuse-and-defends-right-to-speak-on-trans-issues-idUSKBN23H2XI [archive]

Rosenblatt, Kalhan (10 June 2020). J.K. Rowling doubles down in what some critics call a ‘transphobic manifesto.’ NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/j-k-rowling-doubles-down-what-some-critics-call-transphobic-n1229351

Siegel, Tatiana; Abramovitch, Seth (10 June 2020). Universal Parks responds to J.K. Rowling tweets: ‘Our core values include diversity, inclusion and respect.’ The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/universal-parks-responds-jk-rowling-tweets-core-values-include-diversity-inclusion-respect-1297845/

D’Alessandro, Anthony (10 June 2020). J.K. Rowling Defends Trans Statements In Lengthy Essay, Reveals She’s A Sexual Assault Survivor & Says “Trans People Need And Deserve Protection”. Deadline.

Shirbon, Estelle (10 June 2020). J.K. Rowling reveals past abuse and defends right to speak on trans issues. Reuters.com. Archived

Chris Murphy (10 June 2020). Warner Bros. Finally Responds To J.K. Rowling’s Shocking Commitment to Being Transphobic. Vulture.

Calvario, Liz (10 June 2020). GLAAD President Says J.K. Rowling’s Words Create Dangerous Environment for Transgender Community ET Online https://www.etonline.com/glaad-president-says-jk-rowlings-words-create-dangerous-environment-for-transgender-community

Radcliffe, Daniel (June 8, 2020). Daniel Radcliffe Responds to J.K. Rowling’s Tweets on Gender Identity. The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2020/06/08/daniel-radcliffe-responds-to-j-k-rowlings-tweets-on-gender-identity/

Moreau, Jordan (June 6, 2020). J.K. Rowling Gets Backlash Over Anti-Trans Tweets. Variety https://variety.com/2020/film/news/jk-rowling-transphobic-tweets-controversy-1234627081/

Avila, Pamela (June 8, 2020). J.K. Rowling Faces Backlash Over Tweets Considered Transphobic. E! Online https://www.eonline.com/news/1159143/j-k-rowling-faces-backlash-from-fans-over-tweets-considered-transphobic

2019

Kottasová, Ivana; Andrew, Scottie (December 20, 2019). J.K. Rowling’s ‘transphobia’ tweet row spotlights a fight between equality campaigners and radical feminists. CNN https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/20/uk/jk-rowling-transgender-explainer-intl-gbr/index.html

Staff report (December 19, 2019). Woman sacked over trans tweets loses tribunal. BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50858919

Maurice, Emma Powys (June 25, 2019). JK Rowling under fire for following a ‘proud transphobe’ on Twitter. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/06/25/jk-rowling-under-fire-following-transphobe-twitter/

2018

Fairchild, Phaylen (September 15, 2018). Oops! She Did It Again, Transphobic J.K. Rowling: “No Fox Belongs In a Henhouse.” Medium https://phaylen.medium.com/oops-she-did-it-again-transphobic-j-k-rowling-no-fox-belongs-in-a-henhouse-b3cdf0e81dd8

Levine, Nick (March 26, 2018). J.K. Rowling Explains Why She ‘Liked’ A Transphobic Tweet. Refinery29 https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2018/03/194630/jk-rowling-liked-transphobic-tweet

Fairchild, Phaylen (March 24, 2018). J.K. Rowling: The Blatant Transphobia Of A Beloved Social Justice Hero. Medium https://phaylen.medium.com/j-k-rowling-the-blatant-transphobia-of-a-beloved-social-justice-hero-a26b67b83be5

Duffy, Nick (March 22, 2018). JK Rowling reps blame ‘middle-aged moment’ for liking tweet calling trans women ‘men in dresses.’ PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2018/03/22/jk-rowling-reps-blame-middle-aged-moment-for-liking-tweet-calling-trans-women-men-in-dresses/

Grant, Katie (March 22, 2018). JK Rowling liked transphobic tweet in ‘middle-aged moment.’ i News https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/jk-rowling-liked-transphobic-tweet-in-middle-aged-moment-137860

Anti-trans coverage

Carrell, Severin (December 12, 2022). JK Rowling launches support centre for female victims of sexual violence. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/12/jk-rowling-launches-support-centre-for-female-victims-of-sexual-violence

Beal, James (May 19, 2022). Nadhim Zahawi backs schoolgirl forced out after trans row. The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nadhim-zahawi-backs-schoolgirl-forced-out-after-trans-row-jwwz22z8n

Russell, Rachel (March 12, 2022). JK Rowling accuses Keir Starmer of ‘misrepresenting equalities law’ on trans women. Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/jk-rowling-accuses-keir-starmer-of-misrepresenting-equalities-law-on-trans-women-12564477

Pedersen, Sarah (2022). ‘They’ve got an absolute army of women behind them’: the formation of a women’s cooperative constellation in contemporary Scotland. Scottish Affairs. 31 (1): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3366%2Fscot.2022.0394

Schwirblat, Tatiana; Freberg, Karen; Freberg, Laura (2022). Chapter 21: Cancel culture: a career vulture amongst influencers on social media. In Lipschultz, Jeremy Harris; Freberg, Karen; Luttrell, Regina [editors]. The Emerald Handbook of Computer-Mediated Communication and Social Media. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-597-420221021

Wagner, Wolfgang; Hayes, Nicky (2022). Repressive moralism: world making and petty fascism in transgender politics. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science 56 (3): 573–589. :https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-021-09670-4

Cordero, Rosy (December 29, 2021). Eddie Izzard defends J.K. Rowling, says she doesn’t believe author is transphobic. EW https://ew.com/celebrity/eddie-izzard-defends-j-k-rowling/

Hinsliff, Gaby (November 3, 2021). The battle for Stonewall: the LGBT charity and the UK’s gender wars. New Statesman https://www.newstatesman.com/long-reads/2021/11/the-battle-for-stonewall-the-lgbt-charity-and-the-uks-gender-wars

Blair, Tony (May 11, 2021). Tony Blair: Without total change Labour will die. New Statesman https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2021/05/tony-blair-without-total-change-labour-will-die

Staff report (January 1, 2021). ‘I don’t think JK Rowling is transphobic,’ says gender-fluid comedian Eddie Izzard. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/dont-think-jk-rowling-transphobic-says-gender-fluid-comedian/

Kelleher, Patrick (September 24, 2020). Succession star Brian Cox jumps to JK Rowling’s defence while lambasting inclusive language around menstruation. PinkNews https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/09/24/succession-brian-cox-jk-rowling-defence-cancel-culture-troubled-blood-robert-galbraith/

Steinfeld, Jemimah (2020). Not my turf: Helen Lewis argues that vitriol around the trans debate means only extreme voices are being heard. Index on Censorship. 49 (1): 34–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306422020917609

Suissa, Judith; Sullivan, Alice (February 2021). The gender wars, academic freedom and education. Journal of Philosophy of Education. 55 (1): 55–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9752.12549

Staff report (September 29, 2020). Eddie Redmayne condemns ‘vitriol’ aimed at JK Rowling after her trans rights comments. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/sep/29/eddie-redmayne-jk-rowling-condemns-vitriol-trans-rights-comments

Hellen, Nicholas (September 27, 2020). Literati rally to JK Rowling’s defence in row over Cormoran Strike book. The Sunday Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/literati-rally-to-jk-rowlings-defence-in-row-over-cormoran-strike-book-vk5frvvj0

Signatories (September 27, 2020). Letters to the Editor. The Sunday Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/letters-to-the-editor-banish-empire-and-make-us-all-proud-5tl06tt6h

Ferber, Alona (22 September 2020). Judith Butler on the culture wars, JK Rowling and living in “anti-intellectual times”. New Statesman https://www.newstatesman.com/international/2020/09/judith-butler-culture-wars-jk-rowling-and-living-anti-intellectual-times

Flood, Alison (September 15, 2020). JK Rowling’s Troubled Blood: don’t judge a book by a single review. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2020/sep/15/rowling-troubled-blood-thriller-robert-galbraith-review

Ntim, Zac (September 15, 2020). Hagrid actor Robbie Coltrane says people accusing JK Rowling of transphobia ‘hang around waiting to be offended’. Insider https://www.insider.com/hagrid-actor-robbie-coltrane-defends-jk-rowling-over-transphobia-claim-2020-9

Waterson, Jim (July 23, 2020). Children’s news website apologises to JK Rowling over trans tweet row. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/23/childrens-news-website-apologises-jk-rowling-trans-tweet-day

Hirsi Ali, Ayaan (June 25, 2020). J.K. Rowling’s lonely fight for women’s rights. Washington Examiner https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/j-k-rowlings-lonely-fight-for-womens-rights

Malvern, Jack (June 13, 2020). JK Rowling: flood of tweets reverses Noma Dumezweni’s praise of author. The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/jk-rowling-flood-of-tweets-reverses-noma-dumezwenis-praise-of-author-lrm6nl79q

Selected writing by Rowling

Rowling, J.K. (August 27, 2020). Statement from J.K. Rowling regarding the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award. https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/statement-from-j-k-rowling-regarding-the-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-ripple-of-hope-award/

Rowling, J.K. (June 10, 2020). J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues. https://jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/