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Megan Phelps-Roper vs. transgender people

Megan Phelps-Roper is an American author and anti-transgender activist.

Background

Phelps-Roper was born January 31, 1986 to Shirley Phelps-Roper and Brent Roper and grew up in Westboro Baptist Church, an anti-LGBT hate group based in Topeka, Kansas. Starting at five years old, Phelps-Roper participated in many of the organization’s picketing events, attacking Jewish people, military servicemembers, and the LGBTQ community.

In 2011, Phelps-Roper appeared in Louis Theroux’s documentary America’s Most Hated Family in Crisis. Phelps-Roper left Westboro Baptist Church in 2012.

Phelps-Roper married lawyer Chad G. Fjelland (born 1972) and has two children.

In October 2019, Phelps-Roper released a memoir called Unfollow: A Journey from Hatred to Hope.

Anti-trans activism

Phelps-Roper was recruited by anti-trans activist Bari Weiss to host a podcast series that defended transphobic author J.K. Rowling. The series used nostalgia for Rowling’s stories to paint Rowling sympathetically, as a misunderstood person simply advocating for women.

References

Kohlhepp, Rebekah (April 14, 2023). The Insidious Transphobia of “The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling” by Megan Phelps-Roper. She Seeks Nonfiction https://sheseeksnonfiction.blog/2023/04/14/witchtrials/

Stroude, Will (March 21, 2023). How ex-Westboro Baptist Church member Megan Phelps-Roper ended up hosting a JK Rowling podcast. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/21/megan-phelps-roper-jk-rowling-podcast-westboro-baptist-church/

Quah, Nicholas (March 4, 2023). Can Anyone Trust ‘The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling’ Podcast? Vulture https://www.vulture.com/article/witch-trials-jk-rowling-podcast-essay-review.html

Hansford, Amelia (February 28, 2023). Trans YouTuber explains why she ‘broke down and cried’ on JK Rowling podcast. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/28/witch-trails-of-jk-rowling-podcast-contrapoints-trans/

Urquhart, Evan (February 21, 2023). I Listened to “The Witch Trials of J. K. Rowling” So You Don’t Have To. Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/i-listened-to-the-witch-trials-of-j-k-rowling-so-you-dont-have-to

Nugent, Annabel (February 20, 2023). JK Rowling: Megan Phelps-Roper says new podcast was ‘never intended to vindicate’ author. The independent https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jk-rowling-podcast-megan-phelps-roper-b2285599.html

Evans, Greg (February 14, 2023). J.K. Rowling Claims Her Statements On Transgender Women Have Been ‘Profoundly’ Misunderstood In New Podcast. Deadline https://deadline.com/2023/02/j-k-rowling-witch-trials-podcast-trailer-1235259271/

Anti-trans coverage

Nicol, Patricia (February 26, 2023). The Witch Trials of JK Rowling: the author hits back at the haters. The Times https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/the-witch-trials-of-jk-rowling-the-author-hits-back-at-the-haters-kgq7x7hbx

Marriott, James (February 21 2023). The Witch Trials of JK Rowling review — a fascinating interview buried in digression. The Times https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/the-witch-trials-of-jk-rowling-review-a-fascinating-interview-buried-in-digression-jrk9rjnx9

Singh, Anita (February 21, 2023). The Witch Trials of JK Rowling, review: a podcast that promises to add more flames to the fire. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-to/witch-trials-jk-rowling-review-podcast-promises-add-flames-fire/

Blake, Eleanor; Bazaraa, Danya (February 21, 2023). ‘I don’t walk around thinking about my legacy – what a pompous way to live’: JK Rowling says she’s ‘not uncomfortable with getting off my pedestal’ as she addresses trans row in ‘Witch Trials’ podcast. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-11776569/JK-Rowling-addresses-trans-row-Witch-Trials-podcast.html

Murphy, Meghan (February 14, 2023). What’s Current: The Free Press launches podcast on ‘The Witch Trials of JK Rowling,’ hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper. Feminist Current https://www.feministcurrent.com/2023/02/14/whats-current-the-free-press-launches-podcast-on-the-witch-trials-of-jk-rowling-hosted-by-megan-phelps-roper/

Press release (February 14, 2023). New podcast series features J.K. Rowling in conversation with Megan Phelps-Roper. https://www.jkrowling.com/new-podcast-series-features-j-k-rowling-in-conversation-with-megan-phelps-roper/

Selected publications by Phelps-Roper

Phelps-Roper, Megan (February 14, 2023). The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/the-witch-trials-of-jk-rowling

Media

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

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard and Megan Phelps-Roper (June 15, 2023). Megan Phelps-Roper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeYSrLzJAcU

Joe Rogan Experience with Joe Rogan and Megan Phelps-Roper (June 8, 2017). Joe Rogan Experience #974 – Megan Phelps-Roper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOnefFVBEb0

TED with Megan Phelps-Roper (March 6, 2017). I grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church. Here’s why I left | Megan Phelps-Roper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVV2Zk88beY

Resources

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

TED (ted.com)