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

Rowling has many supporters among other anti-trans activists and in the anti-trans media.

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.”

On September 8, 2018, Rowling liked a tweet by Janice Turner promoting Turner’s op-ed in The Times on trans prisoners. Turner posted: “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 personal essay

In June 2020, Rowling published a personal essay about the response to Rowling’s activism, noting that many had reached out in support:

“They’re worried about the dangers to young people, gay people and about the erosion of women’s and girl’s rights. Above all, they’re worried about a climate of fear that serves nobody – least of all trans youth – well.”

Rowling then outlined 5 reasons for speaking out:

preserving the current legal definition of sex
“safeguarding” young people
freedom of speech
Rowling’s own history with gender identity questions
Rowling’s personal experience with domestic violence and sexual assault

Below are selected quotations from Rowling’s essay:

“It’s been clear to me for a while that the new trans activism is having (or is likely to have, if all its demands are met) a significant impact on many of the causes I support, because it’s pushing to erode the legal definition of sex and replace it with gender.”
“The second reason is that I’m an ex-teacher and the founder of a children’s charity, which gives me an interest in both education and safeguarding. Like many others, I have deep concerns about the effect the trans rights movement is having on both.”
“The third is that, as a much-banned author, I’m interested in freedom of speech and have publicly defended it, even unto Donald Trump.”
“I’m concerned about the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also about the increasing numbers who seem to be detransitioning (returning to their original sex), because they regret taking steps that have, in some cases, altered their bodies irrevocably, and taken away their fertility. […] The same phenomenon has been seen in the US. In 2018, American physician and researcher Lisa Littman set out to explore it. […] The writings of young trans men reveal a group of notably sensitive and clever people. The more of their accounts of gender dysphoria I’ve read, with their insightful descriptions of anxiety, dissociation, eating disorders, self-harm and self-hatred, the more I’ve wondered whether, if I’d been born 30 years later, I too might have tried to transition. The allure of escaping womanhood would have been huge. I struggled with severe OCD as a teenager. If I’d found community and sympathy online that I couldn’t find in my immediate environment, I believe I could have been persuaded to turn myself into the son my father had openly said he’d have preferred. […] As I didn’t have a realistic possibility of becoming a man back in the 1980s, it had to be books and music that got me through both my mental health issues and the sexualised scrutiny and judgement that sets so many girls to war against their bodies in their teens. Fortunately for me, I found my own sense of otherness, and my ambivalence about being a woman, reflected in the work of female writers and musicians who reassured me that, in spite of everything a sexist world tries to throw at the female-bodied, it’s fine not to feel pink, frilly and compliant inside your own head; it’s OK to feel confused, dark, both sexual and non-sexual, unsure of what or who you are.”
“Which brings me to the fifth reason I’m deeply concerned about the consequences of the current trans activism. […] I’ve been in the public eye now for over twenty years and have never talked publicly about being a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor. […] On Saturday morning, I read that the Scottish government is proceeding with its controversial gender recognition plans, which will in effect mean that all a man needs to ‘become a woman’ is to say he’s one. To use a very contemporary word, I was ‘triggered’. Ground down by the relentless attacks from trans activists on social media, when I was only there to give children feedback about pictures they’d drawn for my book under lockdown, I spent much of Saturday in a very dark place inside my head, as memories of a serious sexual assault I suffered in my twenties recurred on a loop.”

Rowling’s essay received extensive press coverage.

2020 book Troubled Blood

In September 2020, Rowling released the novel Troubled Blood under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. It is the fifth novel in Rowling’s Cormoran Strike series. It features a cross-dressing serial killer named Dennis Creed. Rowling stated that Creed was loosely based on real-life fetishistic killers Jerry Brudos and Russell Williams.

Gender Recognition Reform bills

In 2022 Rowling came out against the proposed Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill after years of expressing concern about gender self-identification laws. 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.

2024 book chapter

On May 30, 2024, editors Susan Dalgety and Lucy Hunter Blackburn published a collection of essays titled The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht: Voices from the front-line of Scotland’s battle for women’s rights. Rowling contributed an essay that was also printed in The Times.

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.”

2024 attacks on Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif is an Algerian boxer who competed in the 2024 Olympics. Both Khelif and Taiwanese boxers Lin Yu-ting were singled out for abuse, with both being accused of having variations of sex development (“intersex” traits). Rowling made numerous comments about their participation, linking it to other views on “sex-based rights.”

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, 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.

Hasanverse (April 24, 2026). JK Rowling Just Changed Her Mind On Trans People | HasanAbi Reacts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fblVy107G6Q

Jammidodger (Dec 14, 2025). Shut Up JK Rowling | Good Trans Anatomy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILBNQ5mU910

Jammidodger (Julembery 13, 2025). ‘JK Rowling is A Lost Cause.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlY_UG6tviA

Princess Weekes (June 23, 2025). You Can’t Separate Harry Potter from J.K. Rowling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHvWWJ-640E

Entertainment Tonight (April 25, 2025). Pedro Pascal BLASTS ‘Heinous Loser’ J.K. Rowling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6V7j5uGHKA

Jammidodger (April 23, 2025). JK Rowling, Transphobia, & The Supreme Court. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMYbgRwdKGU

NOAHFINNCE (March 26, 2025). JK ROWLING’S FINALLY LOST THE PLOT (TRANS GUY REACTS) | NOAHFINNCE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE8m-QYJrJE

Jessie Gender (August 27, 2024). JK Rowling & the Moldy Transphobic Racism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2OxYPDXTXI

Kat Blaque (August 24, 2024). J.K. Rowling Is Just a Misogynist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yng5Yr_5Tyo

Vaush (August 2, 2024). Weirdo J.K. Rowling Has MELTDOWN Over “Trans” Olympic Boxer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIClbFVMdp8

Jammidodger (March 31, 2024). How is JK Rowling Transphobic? Trans Guy Responds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzlI__xX_74

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

Jessie Gender (January 27, 2023). Explaining JK Rowling’s Transphobia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GBUArD51KY

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

Owen Jones (January 1, 2021). Feminist icon Judith Butler on JK Rowling, trans rights, feminism and intersectionality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXJb2eLNJZE

Jessie Gender (September 16, 2020). Let’s Talk JK Rowling’s Transphobic Book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFVB6a_Vlr8

Samantha Lux (July 16, 2020). J.K. Rowling is Transphobic? Trans Woman Responds… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUkq7xMOiyA

CopsHateMoe (June 20, 2020). JK Rowling’s history of TRANSPHOBIA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q-MpKZWdek

Sarah Z (June 12, 2020). Does JK Rowling’s Transphobia Ruin Harry Potter? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-rh-N4eFDU

Jessie Gender (June 11, 2020). Breaking Down JK Rowling’s Transphobic Essay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paVH1PdOfwc

Jammidodger (June 7, 2020). JK Rowling’s Anti-Trans Tweets | Trans Guy Reacts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USoIAWVkCvk

Jessie Gender (June 7, 2020). JK Rowling Transphobia Explained (A Rant). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96wJsJ1kKlM

Jammidodger (December 22, 2019). Is JK Rowling Transphobic? Trans Guy Reacts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ayoA0OMtL4

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/

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 (December 19, 2022). J.K. Rowling Lambasted for ‘Merry Terfmas’ Tweet. The Advocate https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2022/12/19/jk-rowling-lambasted-merry-terfmas-tweet

Bollinger, Alex (December 19, 2022). JK Rowling gleefully tweets anti-trans “holiday” message to fan. LGBTQ Nation https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/jk-rowling-gleefully-tweets-anti-trans-holiday-message-fan/

Russel, John (December 13, 2022). JK Rowling opened a rape crisis center that excludes trans women. LGBTQ Nation https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/jk-rowling-opened-rape-crisis-center-excludes-trans-women/

Staff report (October 6, 2022). JK Rowling backs protest over Scottish gender bill. BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-63162533

Wakefield, Lily (April 26, 2022). JK Rowling blasted as ‘perfect example of how not to be an ally’ by Lesbian Visibility Week founder. PinkNews https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/04/26/jk-rowling-linda-riley-lesbian-visibility-week-allison-bailey/

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

Bollinger, Alex (April 25, 2022). JK Rowling now thinks she can say who’s a lesbian & who’s not. LGBTQ Nation https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/04/jk-rowling-now-thinks-can-say-whos-lesbian-whos-not/

Pape, Madeleine (2022). Feminism, trans justice, and speech rights: a comparative perspective. Law and Contemporary Problems. 85 (1): 215–240. https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5037

Michèle, Joséphine (January 1, 2022). Why Harry Potter’s Reunion Mostly Ignores JK Rowling. ScreenRant https://screenrant.com/harry-potter-reunion-jk-rowling-ignored-reason/

2021

Staff report (December 29, 2021). Return to Hogwarts: Critics bemoan Rowling’s absence in Harry Potter reunion. BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59816888

Romano, Nick (December 30, 2021). Why J.K. Rowling didn’t join the Harry Potter reunion for the Return to Hogwarts special. Entertainment Weekly https://ew.com/movies/why-j-k-rowling-didnt-join-harry-potter-reunion-special-return-to-hogwarts/

Yasharoff, Hannah (December 30, 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/

Luscombe, Richard (December 20, 2021). US quidditch leagues to change name in effort to break from JK Rowling. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/dec/20/us-quidditch-leagues-change-name-jk-rowling

Yang, Maya (October 7, 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 (April 27, 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 (March 28, 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 (March 17, 2021). Ralph Fiennes defends J.K. rowling amid trans controversy, says backlash is ‘disturbing’. The Hollywood Reporter.

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

2020

Staff report (December 22, 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]

Rajan, Amol (December 21, 2020). The winners:2020 Russell prize for best writing. BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55350905

Law, Katie (October 15, 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 (October 9, 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 (October 1, 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 (September 15, 2020). JK Rowling’s new book sparks fresh transgender rights row. CNN. Archived

Smith, Reiss (September 14, 2020). JK Rowling’s latest book is about a murderous cis man who dresses as a woman to kill his victims. PinkNews https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/09/14/jk-rowling-new-book-cormoran-strike-troubled-blood-killer-dresses-woman/

Patrick, Bethanne (September 22, 2020). Review: Yep, J.K. Rowling’s new thriller has transphobic elements. It’s also a crashing bore. Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2020-09-22/troubled-blood-by-robert-galbraith-review

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

Flood, Alison (August 28, 2020). JK Rowling returns human rights award to group that denounces her trans view”. The Guardian https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/28/jk-rowling-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-award-trans-views

Kennedy, Kerry (August 3, 2020). A Statement from Kerry Kennedy. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center https://rfkhumanrights.org/news/a-statement-from-kerry-kennedy-president-of-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights

Chiu, Allyson (July 8, 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/

Reuters and Guardian staff (July 3, 2020). Harry Potter fan sites distance themselves from JK Rowling over transgender rights. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/03/harry-potter-fan-sites-distance-themselves-from-jk-rowling-over-transgender-rights

Chilton, Louis (July 3, 2020). Harry Potter fan sites distance themselves from JK Rowling over transgender comments. The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/harry-potter-jk-rowling-trans-mugglenet-leaky-cauldron-a9599151.html

Waterson, Jim (June 22, 2020). Authors quit JK Rowling agency over transgender rights The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/22/authors-quit-jk-rowling-agency-over-transgender-rights

Fitzsimons, Tim (June 19, 2020). GOP senator quotes J.K. Rowling while blocking vote on LGBTQ bill. NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/gop-senator-quotes-j-k-rowling-while-blocking-vote-lgbtq-n1231569

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 (June 15, 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

Thorpe, Vanessa (June 14, 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

Moore, Matt (June 13, 2020). Mermaids writes open letter to JK Rowling following her anti-trans tweets. Gay Times https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/community/137180/mermaids-writes-open-letter-to-jk-rowling-following-her-anti-trans-tweets

Lewis, Isobel (June 12, 2020). Rupert Grint speaks out after JK Rowling’s comments about trans people. The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/rupert-grint-jk-rowling-trans-people-women-twitter-a9563431.html

Staff report (June 12, 2020). An open letter to J.K. Rowling. Mermaids https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/dear-jk-rowling/

Milne, Amber; Savage, Rachel (June 11, 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 (June 11, 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 (June 11, 2020). JK Rowling responds to trans tweets criticism. BBC News / Reuters https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53002557

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

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

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

Michallon, Clémence (June 11, 2020). J K Rowling, predatory men and the nuance we’re all missing out. The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jk-rowling-trans-people-tweets-letter-reaction-bathrooms-a9561871.html

Milne, Amber; Savage, Rachel (June 11, 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

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

Chris Murphy (June 10, 2020). Warner Bros. Finally Responds To J.K. Rowling’s Shocking Commitment to Being Transphobic. Vulture https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/warner-bros-releases-statement-on-jk-rowling-trans-comments.html

Calvario, Liz (June 10, 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

Walker, Charlie (June 9, 2020). A brief history of every bad take J.K. Rowling has had on trans issues. The Tab https://archive.thetab.com/uk/2020/06/09/a-brief-history-of-every-bad-take-j-k-rowling-has-had-on-trans-issues-160400?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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/

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

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/

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 14, 2025). The twilight of Nicola Sturgeon: J.K. Rowling reviews Frankly. https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/the-twilight-of-nicola-sturgeon-j-k-rowling-reviews-frankly/

Rowling, J.K. (June 23, 2024). My article for The Times on Labour and women’s rights. https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/my-article-for-the-times-on-the-women-who-wouldnt-wheesht-and-labours-policies-on-womens-rights-ahead-of-the-general-election/

Rowling, J.K. (May 29, 2024). JK Rowling: Why I decided to stand up for women. The Times https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/jk-rowling-stand-up-women-trans-book-r6jlglpvq In Dalgety, Susan; Blackburn, Lucy Hunter [editors] (2024). The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht, Littlebrown, 2024, ISBN 978-1408720707

Rowling, J.K. (April 1, 2024). The Scottish Hate Crime Act. https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/the-scottish-hate-crime-act/

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/

Rowling, J.K. (October 16, 2022). My article for the Sunday Times Scotland on why I oppose Gender Recognition Act reform. https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/my-article-for-the-sunday-times-scotland-on-why-i-oppose-gender-recognition-act-reform/

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/