Political views of J. K. Rowling

Rowling has stated that her politics are left-leaning, liberal and fiercely anti-authoritarian, pointing to her literary works to demonstrate this. She states that she is not an ideologue, distrusting ideologies, but is an idealist, believing in the human capacity for collaboration and mutual support. She holds that her political home is the pragmatic centre-left, where that is focused on dealing with economic disparity, championing social liberalism and equal rights. Whilst maintaining that she remains left of centre in her politics, she believes the left–right divide has been disrupted, believing a form of identity politics to be fundamentally illiberal.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Ryan |title=JK Rowling clarifies political views |url=https://www.newsweek.com/jk-rowling-politics-transgender-social-media-womens-rights-1983654 |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=Newsweek |date=11 November 2024 |language=en}}

{{Main|Politics of Harry Potter}}

Rowling's Harry Potter books, while ostensibly fantasy, engage with real-world political issues and ideologies, reflecting Rowling's own views. She explained, "I wanted Harry to leave our world and find exactly the same problems in the wizarding world.”{{Cite web |last=Monteiro |first=Nara |date=November 14, 2018 |title=J.K. Rowling, Hollywood, and the Holocaust |url=https://thewalrus.ca/j-k-rowling-hollywood-and-the-holocaust/ |access-date=January 5, 2025 |website=The Walrus |language=en-US}} The works explore a wide range of real world political issues which include:

• Authoritarianism and fascism: A central theme of the books being condemnation of authoritarianism and fascist policies. The books depict the dangers of pure-blood supremacy, discrimination, and the suppression of dissent, drawing parallels between Nazism and Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
• Liberal democracy: Her books champion democratic values such as equality, tolerance, free speech, and the rule of law. The struggle against Voldemort is presented as a fight to preserve these values against those who seek to destroy them. The importance of institutions and fair processes is also highlighted, though not without acknowledging their flaws.
• Social inequality and prejudice: Rowling’s books address issues of social inequality and prejudice, particularly through the treatment of house-elves, werewolves, and other marginalised groups. The series critiques prejudice based on blood status and species.
• The importance of resistance and activism: The characters in the series, particularly Harry and his friends, demonstrate the power of individual and collective action in challenging oppressive forces.

The books examine the basis of power, the control of information and the role of the media and explore themes of justice, discipline and punishment.

Some themes in the books are presented more ambiguously. For example, the Ministry of Magic is both bumbling, inefficient and corrupt, but also inhabited by key players, and with a layer of necessary legitimacy. This reflects a more nuanced understanding of real world power structures.{{sfn|Barratt|2012|pp=1-8}}

J. K. Rowling has been a long-time friend of Gordon Brown (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2010) and his wife Sarah Brown. In September 2008, Rowling donated £1 million to the Labour Party and commended Brown's commitment to improving the lives of poor families.{{cite news |title=Harry Potter author JK Rowling gives £1 million to Labour |first=Ben |last=Leach |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/3021309/Harry-Potter-author-JK-Rowling-gives-1-million-to-Labour.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=20 September 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100716014745/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/3021309/Harry-Potter-author-JK-Rowling-gives-1-million-to-Labour.html |archive-date=16 July 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=20 September 2008}} Rowling praised Brown in a 2009 Time magazine essay, saying she "still wanted him in charge".{{cite magazine |first=Rowling |last=J. K. |title=Gordon Brown |date=30 May 2009 |url= http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1894410_1893847_1894201,00.html |magazine=Time |access-date=5 January 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130826200818/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1894410_1893847_1894201,00.html |archive-date=26 August 2013 |url-status=dead}} Rowling was critical of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party.{{cite news |title=Rowling gave 'blast of reality' on Jeremy Corbyn, says Labour MP |url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/31/this-isnt-bloody-funny-jk-rowling-laments-corbyns-strong-position |date=1 September 2016 |first=Anushka |last=Asthana |work=Guardian |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200510171911/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/31/this-isnt-bloody-funny-jk-rowling-laments-corbyns-strong-position |archive-date=10 May 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Rowling: Labour Party has turned into a 'solipsistic personality cult' |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/25/jk-rowling-labour-party-has-turned-solipsistic-personality-cult |date=25 September 2017 |first=Verity |last=Ryan |work=Daily Telegraph |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200613055631/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/25/jk-rowling-labour-party-has-turned-solipsistic-personality-cult/ |archive-date=13 June 2020 |url-status=live}} In June 2024, Rowling wrote that she would struggle to support the Labour Party under the leadership of Keir Starmer due to its stance on gender-related issues.{{cite news |last1=Courea |first1=Eleni |last2=Banfield-Nwachi |first2=Mabel |title=Starmer says he is proud of Labour record on women’s rights after JK Rowling criticism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/jun/22/starmer-says-he-is-proud-of-labour-record-on-womens-rights-after-jk-rowling-criticism |access-date=8 July 2024 |work=The Observer |date=22 June 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Brian |title=JK Rowling accuses Labour of abandoning women over trans rights |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cndd65k06x8o |access-date=8 July 2024 |work=BBC News |date=22 June 2024}}

As a resident of Edinburgh, Rowling was eligible to vote in the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence, and intended to vote "No".{{cite news |title=JK Rowling: 'The worst that can happen is that everyone says, That's shockingly bad' |first=Decca |last=Aitkenhead |work=The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/sep/22/jk-rowling-book-casual-vacancy |location=London |date=22 September 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131221160214/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/sep/22/jk-rowling-book-casual-vacancy |archive-date=21 December 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2012}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2024}} She donated £1 million (US$1,694,000) to the Better Together anti-independence campaign,{{cite news |last=Carrell |first=Severin |title=JK Rowling donates £1m to Scotland's anti-independence campaign |url= https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jun/11/jk-rowling-donates-scotland-anti-independence-campaign |access-date=11 June 2014 |work=The Guardian |date=11 June 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191020200052/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jun/11/jk-rowling-donates-scotland-anti-independence-campaign |archive-date=20 October 2019 |url-status=live}} led by her former neighbour and friend Alistair Darling, and used the "Death Eaters" characters from her Harry Potter series—who reject wizards unless they have pure blood—as a reference in her explanation of her donation: "when people try to make this debate about the purity of your lineage, things start getting a little Death Eaterish for my taste".{{cite news |last=Morse|first=Felicity|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-independence-jk-rowling-calls-some-nationalists-death-eaters-donates-1m-to-better-together-9526913.html |title=JK Rowling donates £1m to Scottish independence 'No' campaign and calls some nationalists 'Death Eaters' |date=11 June 2014 |work=The Independent |access-date=12 June 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150925172122/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-independence-jk-rowling-calls-some-nationalists-death-eaters-donates-1m-to-better-together-9526913.html |archive-date=25 September 2015}} In Rowling's post-donation blog post in mid-June 2014, she explained that she is "friendly" with members of both campaigns and stated a belief that "there are intelligent, thoughtful people on both sides of this question".{{cite web |first=J. K. |last=Rowling |title=J.K. Rowling explains why she is supporting the Better Together Campaign |url= https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/i-supporting-better-together/ |work=JKRowling.com |date=June 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161223124840/https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/i-supporting-better-together/ |archive-date=23 December 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=13 June 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Withnall |first1=Adam |title=JK Rowling Better Together donation: Calls for calm in Scottish |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jk-rowling-better-together-donation-calls-for-calm-in-scottish-independence-debate-as-vile-abuse-against-harry-potter-author-revealed-9531402.html |access-date=7 February 2022 |work=The Independent |date=12 June 2014 |language=en}}

In 2018, Rowling tweeted that she was tired of "blood and soil ethno-nationalists marching with" civic campaigners. She also stated that Scottish nationalism "contains traces of bigotry".{{cite news |title=JK Rowling attacked for saying Scottish nationalism 'contains traces of bigotry' |url= https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/06/jk-rowling-attacked-for-saying-scottish-nationalism-contains-traces-of-bigotry |work=The Guardian |first=Alison |last=Flood |date=6 July 2018 |access-date=6 October 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180929192535/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/06/jk-rowling-attacked-for-saying-scottish-nationalism-contains-traces-of-bigotry |archive-date=29 September 2018 |url-status=live}}

Rowling opposed Brexit and campaigned for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union, in the run up to the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union, stating on her website that "I'm the mongrel product of this European continent and I'm an internationalist. I was raised by a Francophile mother whose family was proud of their part-French heritage .... My values are not contained or proscribed by borders. The absence of a visa when I cross the channel has symbolic value to me. I might not be in my house, but I'm still in my hometown."{{cite web |title=On Monsters, Villains and the EU Referendum |first=J. K. |last= Rowling |url= http://www.jkrowling.com/en_GB/#/timeline/on-monsters-villains-and-the-EU-referendum |work=JKRowling.com |date=2016 |access-date=5 August 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160804235110/http://www.jkrowling.com/en_GB#/timeline/on-monsters-villains-and-the-EU-referendum |archive-date=4 August 2016}}

Rowling expressed concern that "racists and bigots" were directing parts of the Leave campaign. In a blog post, she added: "How can a retreat into selfish and insecure individualism be the right response when Europe faces genuine threats, when the bonds that tie us are so powerful, when we have come so far together? How can we hope to conquer the enormous challenges of terrorism and climate change without cooperation and collaboration?"{{Cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/eu-referendum-brexit-remain-who-do-celebrities-support-david-beckham-jk-rowling-a7094751.html |title=People's Vote: Steve Coogan, Patrick Stewart and Delia Smith among famous faces marching for second Brexit referendum |work=The Independent |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=23 March 2019 |access-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181027024833/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/eu-referendum-brexit-remain-who-do-celebrities-support-david-beckham-jk-rowling-a7094751.html |archive-date=27 October 2018 |url-status=live}}

Rowling told a Spanish newspaper in February 2008 that the politics of the United States had negatively impacted not only the US, but the UK as well; she stated that "it is a pity that Clinton and Obama have to be rivals because both are extraordinary."{{cite news |last=Cruz|first=Juan |title=Ser invisible... eso sería lo más |url= http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cultura/Ser/invisible/seria/elpepicul/20080208elpepicul_1/Tes |work=El Pais |access-date=10 February 2008 |language=es |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080213020402/http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cultura/Ser/invisible/seria/elpepicul/20080208elpepicul_1/Tes |archive-date=13 February 2008 |url-status=live |quote= Estoy obsesionada con las elecciones en Estados Unidos. Porque tendrá efectos profundos en el resto del mundo. La política exterior de Estados Unidos en los últimos años ha afectado, para mal, tanto a su país como al mío. ... Quiero a un demócrata en la Casa Blanca. Y me parece una lástima que Clinton y Obama tengan que ser rivales porque ambos son extraordinarios.}}

Rowling advised the 2008 graduating class of Harvard, "the great majority of you belong to the world's only remaining superpower. The way you vote, the way you live, the way you protest, the pressure you bring to bear on your government, has an impact way beyond your borders. That is your privilege, and your burden."{{cite news |first=J. K. |last=Rowling |title=The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination |date=5 June 2008 |url= http://harvardmagazine.com/go/jkrowling.html |work=Harvard Magazine |access-date=5 June 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080906182433/http://harvardmagazine.com/go/jkrowling.html |archive-date=6 September 2008 |url-status=live}}

Rowling made analogies between Donald Trump and Voldemort after the Republican presidential candidate called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States on 7 December 2015.{{cite news |last=Horton |first=Helena |title=Donald Trump is 'worse than Voldemort', says Harry Potter author JK Rowling |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/donald-trump/12039134/donald-trump-harry-potter-worse-voldemort-jk-rowling.html |work=Daily Telegraph |date=8 December 2015 |access-date=9 December 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151209083706/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/donald-trump/12039134/donald-trump-harry-potter-worse-voldemort-jk-rowling.html |archive-date=9 December 2015 |url-status=live}}

On 7 October 2016, Rowling released on Pottermore four pieces of writing exclusively as an introduction to the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, titled History of Magic in North America. It included her fictionalised ideas of "Native American Magic."{{Cite web|last = Parker|first = Brinton|title = J.K. Rowling Just Gave Us Everything to Know Before Fantastic Beasts|url = http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/JK-Rowling-Releases-History-Magic-North-America-40472475#photo-40472475|website = POPSUGAR| date=6 October 2016 |access-date = 6 October 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161011054523/http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/JK-Rowling-Releases-History-Magic-North-America-40472475#photo-40472475|archive-date = 11 October 2016|url-status=live|df = dmy-all}}{{Cite web|last = Lee |first = Paula Young|title = Pottermore problems: Scholars and writers call foul on J.K. Rowling's North American magic|url = http://www.salon.com/2016/07/01/pottermore_problems_scholars_and_writers_call_foul_on_j_k_rowlings_north_american_magic/ |website = Salon| date=July 2016 |access-date = 1 July 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160702141458/http://www.salon.com/2016/07/01/pottermore_problems_scholars_and_writers_call_foul_on_j_k_rowlings_north_american_magic/|archive-date = 2 July 2016|url-status=live|df = dmy-all}} Her use of Native American religious figures and symbolism from contemporary, living cultures for this work of fiction was met with protests by Native American communities; she was accused of racial insensitivity, violation of intellectual property rights, disrespect and appropriating "Native traditions while erasing Native peoples."{{cite web |last=Keene |first=Adrienne |author-link=Adrienne Keene |title=Magic in North America Part 1: Ugh. |date=8 March 2016 |url=http://nativeappropriations.com/2016/03/magic-in-north-america-part-1-ugh.html |work=Native Appropriations |access-date=26 June 2021 |archive-date=6 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406124236/http://nativeappropriations.com/2016/03/magic-in-north-america-part-1-ugh.html |url-status=live }} While usually friendly and actively engaged with her fanbase on social media, after answering one question about her interpretation of skinwalkers that resulted in "thousands of tweets directed at her about these concerns", The Washington Post wrote that "Native people took to Twitter to voice their disappointment and demand a response from Rowling, who has not answered her detractors online."{{cite news |title=J.K. Rowling borrowed a Navajo legend for her new story. Is that okay? |first=Caitlin |last=Gibson |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/03/09/j-k-rowling-borrowed-a-navajo-legend-for-her-new-story-can-she-do-that/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, D.C. |date=9 March 2016 |access-date=14 October 2022}} "She has not addressed it at all", wrote Adrienne Keene. "The silence is noted, and it's deafening."{{cite news |title=JK Rowling under fire for writing about 'Native American wizards' – History of Magic in North America, being serialised on Rowling's Pottermore website, attacked for using an ancient culture 'as a convenient prop' |first=Alison |last=Flood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/mar/09/jk-rowling-under-fire-for-appropriating-navajo-tradition-history-of-magic-in-north-america-pottermore |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=9 March 2016 |access-date=14 October 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314040038/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/mar/09/jk-rowling-under-fire-for-appropriating-navajo-tradition-history-of-magic-in-north-america-pottermore |url-status=live }}

In 2015, Rowling expressed support for refugees.{{cite web |url= http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/jk-rowling-john-green-patrick-ness-unite-authors-to-spur-refugee-social-media-fundraiser-20150903-gjetod.html |title=J.K. Rowling, John Green, Patrick Ness unite authors to spur refugee social media fundraiser |first=Linda |last=Morris |date=4 September 2015|via=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=6 October 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180201024648/http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/jk-rowling-john-green-patrick-ness-unite-authors-to-spur-refugee-social-media-fundraiser-20150903-gjetod.html |archive-date=1 February 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/migrant-crisis-jk-rowling-one-820946 |title=J.K. Rowling, One Direction, Olivia Wilde Express Support for European Refugees |last=Wells |first=Kaeli |date=8 September 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180711231611/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/migrant-crisis-jk-rowling-one-820946 |archive-date=11 July 2018 |url-status=live}}

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rowling has publicly expressed support for Ukraine, pledging to match funding for aid to children trapped in orphanages in Ukraine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/jk-rowling-children-b2030038.html|title=JK Rowling to match funding for emergency Ukrainian orphanages appeal|date=7 March 2022|website=The Independent|access-date=26 March 2022|archive-date=14 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314035101/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/jk-rowling-children-b2030038.html|url-status=live}} She also publicly expressed opposition to Russian president Vladimir Putin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/25/world/jk-rowling-putin-intl-scli-gbr/index.html|title=J.K. Rowling hits back at Putin after he likened Russia to her in rant against cancel culture|last1=Siad|first1=Arnaud|last2=Hodge|first2=Nathan|last3=Owoseje|first3=Toyin|date=25 March 2022|website=CNN|access-date=8 April 2022|archive-date=12 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512220200/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/25/world/jk-rowling-putin-intl-scli-gbr/index.html|url-status=live}}

In a speech made on 25 March 2022, Putin alleged that Russian culture was being "cancelled" in Western countries, and compared Russia to Rowling "[falling] out of favour with fans of so-called gender freedoms" in reference to her statements on transgender people.{{Cite web |last=Sauer |first=Pjotr |date=25 March 2022 |title=Putin says west treating Russian culture like 'cancelled' JK Rowling |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/25/putin-says-west-treating-russian-culture-like-cancelled-jk-rowling |website=The Guardian |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614195103/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/25/putin-says-west-treating-russian-culture-like-cancelled-jk-rowling |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Humphries |first=Conor |date=25 March 2022 |title=Putin says Russian culture being 'cancelled' like J.K. Rowling |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-west-trying-cancel-russian-culture-including-tchaikovsky-2022-03-25/ |website=Reuters |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803213702/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-says-west-trying-cancel-russian-culture-including-tchaikovsky-2022-03-25/ |url-status=live }} Rowling rejected Putin's comparison,[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60878133.amp "Ukraine war: JK Rowling hits back at Putin's 'cancel culture' comment"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831225214/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60878133.amp |date=31 August 2022 }}, BBC News (25 Mar 2022). saying criticism of cancel culture is "possibly not best made" by people that kill civilians or imprison their critics.{{Cite web |last1=Siad |first1=Arnaud |last2=Hodge |first2=Nathan |last3=Owoseje |first3=Toyin |date=25 March 2022 |title=J.K. Rowling hits back at Putin after he likened Russia to her in rant against cancel culture |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/25/world/jk-rowling-putin-intl-scli-gbr/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=12 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512220200/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/25/world/jk-rowling-putin-intl-scli-gbr/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=25 March 2022 |title=JK Rowling hits back at Vladimir Putin after he drags her into row over 'cancelling Russian culture' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/jk-rowling-responds-to-vladimir-putin-after-russian-president-said-author-was-cancelled-12574969 |website=Sky News |access-date=3 August 2023 |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803213702/https://news.sky.com/story/jk-rowling-responds-to-vladimir-putin-after-russian-president-said-author-was-cancelled-12574969 |url-status=live }}

On 22 October 2015, a letter was published in The Guardian signed by Rowling (along with over 150 other figures from arts and politics) opposing the cultural boycott of Israel, and announcing the creation of a network for dialogue, called Culture for Coexistence.{{cite news |title=Israel needs cultural bridges, not boycotts – letter from JK Rowling, Simon Schama and others |work=The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/22/israel-needs-cultural-bridges-not-boycotts-letter-from-jk-rowling-simon-schama-and-others |access-date=23 October 2015 |date=22 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151022235926/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/22/israel-needs-cultural-bridges-not-boycotts-letter-from-jk-rowling-simon-schama-and-others |archive-date=22 October 2015 |url-status=live}} Rowling later explained her position in more detail, saying that although she opposed most of Benjamin Netanyahu's actions she did not think the cultural boycott would bring about the removal of Israel's leader or help improve the situation in Israel and Palestine.{{cite news |title=Cultural boycotts: JK Rowling |work=Twitlong |url= http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1snnrq7 |date=26 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151105100830/http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1snnrq7 |archive-date=5 November 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=5 November 2015}}

Rowling wrote about what it meant to be British saying, "It means a welfare state of which we should be fiercely proud and a tradition of tolerance and free speech we should defend to our last collective breath."{{cite web |last1=Rowling |first1=J. K. |title=What does it mean to be British? |url=http://governance.justice.gov.uk/join-the-debate/british/jk-rowling/ |website=Governance of Britain |publisher=Ministry of Justice |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106084554/http://governance.justice.gov.uk/join-the-debate/british/jk-rowling/ |archive-date=6 January 2010 |date=7 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}

{{main|A Letter on Justice and Open Debate}}

In July 2020, Rowling signed an open letter published in Harper's Magazine titled "A Letter on Justice and Open Debate",{{cite magazine |title=A Letter on Justice and Open Debate |magazine=Harper's Magazine |location=New York |date=7 July 2020 |url= https://harpers.org/a-letter-on-justice-and-open-debate/ |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=23 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200723175921/https://harpers.org/a-letter-on-justice-and-open-debate/ |url-status=live}} with 150 other public figures, largely writers and academics. The letter states in part, "The free exchange of information and ideas, the lifeblood of a liberal society, is daily becoming more constricted", criticises "a vogue for public shaming and ostracism" and "a blinding moral certainty", warns of fear spreading in the arts and media, and denounces President Donald Trump as "a real threat to democracy".{{cite news |last=Chiu |first=Allyson |title=Letter signed by J.K. Rowling, Noam Chomsky warning of stifled free speech draws mixed reviews |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=8 July 2020 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/07/08/letter-harpers-free-speech/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200724213221/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/07/08/letter-harpers-free-speech/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=J.K. Rowling, Margaret Atwood, more decry 'intolerance of opposing views' in open letter on free speech |work=USA TODAY |date=8 July 2020 |url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/07/08/j-k-rowling-more-write-open-letter-intolerance-opposing-views/5397044002/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200803145428/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/07/08/j-k-rowling-more-write-open-letter-intolerance-opposing-views/5397044002/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=JK Rowling joins warning over free speech |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53330105 |access-date=24 July 2020 |work=BBC News |date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200718144903/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53330105 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Srikanth |first=Anagha |title=Harper's Letter condemning 'cancel culture' draws debate on social media |url= https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/arts-culture/506458-what-the-harpers-letter-says-about-cancel-culture |access-date=24 July 2020 |work=The Hill |location= Washington DC |date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200803083503/https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/arts-culture/506458-what-the-harpers-letter-says-about-cancel-culture |url-status=live}}

Objections to the letter included accusations that Rowling and the other signatories had powerful means to publish their opinions, and that it was disingenuous to attempt to silence others who might offer criticism of their views.{{cite web |last=Elks |first=Sonia |title=J.K. Rowling signs letter warning over free speech after trans row |work=Reuters |date=8 July 2020 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-lgbt-rowling-idUSL8N2EF396 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200727025533/https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-lgbt-rowling-idUSL8N2EF396 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Giorgis |first=Hannah |title=A Deeply Provincial View of Free Speech |work=The Atlantic |location= Washington DC |date=13 July 2020 |url= https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/07/harpers-letter-free-speech/614080/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200725035726/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/07/harpers-letter-free-speech/614080/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=A More Specific Letter on Justice and Open Debate |work=The Objective (Substack) |date=10 July 2020 |url= https://theobjective.substack.com/p/a-more-specific-letter-on-justice |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200806023539/https://theobjective.substack.com/p/a-more-specific-letter-on-justice |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last=Yang |first=Jeff |title=The problem with 'the letter' |work=CNN.com |date=10 July 2020 |url= https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/10/opinions/the-letter-harpers-cancel-culture-open-debate-yang/index.html |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200718225213/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/10/opinions/the-letter-harpers-cancel-culture-open-debate-yang/index.html |url-status=live}} Some thought that Rowling was trying to specifically suppress criticism about her statements concerning transgender topics. After learning who also signed the letter, Jennifer Finney Boylan expressed regret over her support, and stated she would not have signed had she known who the other signatories were. Several of the signers defended their letter, describing it as a stand against what they called the "forces of illiberalism".

Rowling's responses to proposed changes to Scottish gender recognition laws{{cite web |first1=Amber |last1=Milne |first2=Rachel |last2=Savage |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-lgbt-rowling-explainer-trfn-idUSKBN23I3AI |title=Explainer: J. K. Rowling and trans women in single-sex spaces: what's the furore? |publisher=Reuters |date=11 June 2020 |access-date=6 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415184146/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-lgbt-rowling-explainer-trfn-idUSKBN23I3AI |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Libby |date=11 June 2020 |title=Why is JK Rowling speaking out now on sex and gender debate? |url=http://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/11/why-is-jk-rowling-speaking-out-now-on-sex-and-gender-debate |access-date=14 January 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209194802/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/11/why-is-jk-rowling-speaking-out-now-on-sex-and-gender-debate |url-status=live}}{{efn|The UK laws and proposed changes are the Gender Recognition Act 2004, the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, and the related Equality Act 2010.{{sfn|Pedersen|2022|loc=Abstract}}{{sfn|Suissa|Sullivan|2021|pp=66–69}}{{sfn|Duggan|2021|loc=PDF p. 14}} }} and her views on sex and gender have provoked controversy.{{sfn|Duggan|2021|loc=PDF p. 14}} She has been critical of self-declared gender identity.{{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Pamela |title=Opinion {{!}} In Defense of J.K. Rowling |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/opinion/jk-rowling-transphobia.html |access-date=4 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=16 February 2023 |url-access=limited}} Her statements have divided feminists,{{cite news |first1=Ivana |last1=Kottasová |first2=Scottie |last2=Andrew |title=J.K. Rowling's 'transphobia' tweet row spotlights a fight between equality campaigners and radical feminists |publisher=CNN |date=20 December 2019 |access-date=29 March 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/20/uk/jk-rowling-transgender-explainer-intl-gbr/index.html |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329144514/https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/20/uk/jk-rowling-transgender-explainer-intl-gbr/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author= |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53002557 |work=BBC News |title=JK Rowling responds to trans tweets criticism |date=11 June 2020 |access-date=29 March 2022 |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325162515/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53002557 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/01/04/judith-butler-owen-jones-jk-rowling-british-feminism-transphobia/ |title=Feminist icon Judith Butler dissects why JK Rowling continues to speak about trans lives |work=Pink News |date=4 January 2021 |accessdate=26 March 2021 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126164206/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/01/04/judith-butler-owen-jones-jk-rowling-british-feminism-transphobia/ |url-status=live}} fuelled debates on freedom of speech{{sfn|Pape|2022|pp=229–230}} and cancel culture,{{sfn|Schwirblat|Freberg|Freberg|2022|pp=367–369}} and prompted support for transgender people from the arts sector.{{Cite web |last=X |date=2020-10-09 |title=Roxane Gay, Margaret Atwood sign open letter supporting trans and nonbinary people |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2020-10-09/writers-sign-letter-trans-rights |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}UK, US, Canada, Ireland: {{cite news |last=Flood |first=Alison |date=9 October 2020 |title=Stephen King, Margaret Atwood and Roxane Gay champion trans rights in open letter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/oct/09/stephen-king-margaret-atwood-roxane-gay-champion-trans-rights-open-letter-jk-rowling |work=The Guardian |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329191406/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/oct/09/stephen-king-margaret-atwood-roxane-gay-champion-trans-rights-open-letter-jk-rowling |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last=Rowley |first=Glenn |title=Artists fire back at J.K. Rowling's anti-trans remarks, share messages in support of the community |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/artists-fire-back-jk-rowling-anti-trans-remarks-9400386/ |magazine=Billboard |date=11 June 2020 |access-date=7 April 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407191431/https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/artists-fire-back-jk-rowling-anti-trans-remarks-9400386/ |url-status=live}}Universal Parks & Resorts, Warner Bros. and Scholastic Corporation: {{cite news |last1=Siegel |first1=Tatiana |last2=Abramovitch |first2=Seth |date=10 June 2020 |title=Universal Parks responds to J.K. Rowling tweets: 'Our core values include diversity, inclusion and respect' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/universal-parks-responds-jk-rowling-tweets-core-values-include-diversity-inclusion-respect-1297845/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406123953/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/universal-parks-responds-jk-rowling-tweets-core-values-include-diversity-inclusion-respect-1297845/ |url-status=live}}
* Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment president: {{cite news |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |title=WB Interactive president responds to ongoing debate over supporting JK Rowling |date=1 October 2020 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wb-interactive-president-responds-to-ongoing-debate-over-supporting-jk-rowling |publisher=IGN |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403174040/https://www.ign.com/articles/wb-interactive-president-responds-to-ongoing-debate-over-supporting-jk-rowling |url-status=live}} Her statements have been deemed transphobic by critics{{cite book |last1=Colliver |first1=Ben |title=Re-imagining Hate Crime: Transphobia, Visibility and Victimisation |date=2021 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |location=Cham |isbn=978-3-030-65714-7 |page=5 |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-65714-7_1 |chapter=Introduction |quote=J.K. Rowling has published a number of tweets, of which many were challenged, with claims being made that she is reinforcing harmful, transphobic narratives}}{{Cite web |last=Rosenblatt |first=Kalhan |title=J.K. Rowling doubles down in what some critics call a 'transphobic manifesto' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/j-k-rowling-doubles-down-what-some-critics-call-transphobic-n1229351 |date=10 June 2020 |access-date=19 January 2022 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119002244/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/j-k-rowling-doubles-down-what-some-critics-call-transphobic-n1229351 |url-status=live}} and she has been referred to as a TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist){{Cite web |last=Petter |first=Olivia |date=17 September 2020 |title=Mermaids writes open letter to JK Rowling following her recent comments on trans people |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mermaids-jk-rowling-transphobia-transgender-sexual-abuse-domestic-letter-a9565176.html |access-date=26 March 2022 |work=The Independent |archive-url=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-date=15 June 2020}}{{sfn|Steinfeld|2020|pp=34–35}} in response to comments she made on Twitter.{{sfn|Schwirblat|Freberg|Freberg|2022|pp=367–368}} She rejects these characterisations. As her views on transgender issues came under scrutiny, Rowling stated that she has received death threats.{{cite news |title=JK Rowling: Author hits back after receiving 'pipebomb' death threat |url=https://news.sky.com/story/jk-rowling-author-hits-back-after-receiving-pipebomb-death-threat-12359131 |date=19 July 2021 |work=Sky News |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Roisin |title=JK Rowling reacts to ‘pipebomb’ death threat on Twitter |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/jk-rowling-death-threat-trans-row-b1886985.html |website=The Independent |language=en |date=20 July 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Migdon |first1=Brooke |title=JK Rowling pushes back against activists who posted her home address online |url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/arts-culture/582817-jk-rowling-slams-transgender-activists-for-posting/ |website=The Hill |date=23 November 2021}}

Rowling's views on trans individuals were first noted in 2018 when she "liked" a tweet that described trans women as "men in dresses". This garnered criticism from some of her fans who accused her of being transphobic. Her spokesperson told PinkNews that Rowling had "favorited" the tweet by mistake.{{cite news |last=Grant |first=Katie |date=22 March 2018 |title=JK Rowling liked transphobic tweet in 'middle-aged moment' |work=i |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/jk-rowling-liked-transphobic-tweet-in-middle-aged-moment-137860 |access-date=22 March 2022 |archive-date=21 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421011145/https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/jk-rowling-liked-transphobic-tweet-in-middle-aged-moment-137860 |url-status=live}} In December 2019, Rowling tweeted support for Maya Forstater, who lost her job with the Center for Global Development due to gender-critical views, and is the subject of Forstater v Centre for Global Development Europe.{{Cite web |date=19 December 2019 |title=Maya Forstater: Woman sacked over trans tweets loses tribunal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50858919 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220004538/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-50858919 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |access-date=19 December 2019 |publisher=BBC News}} In 2020, Rowling spoke out against a Devex article for using the phrase "people who menstruate" instead of "women". She stated that denying the reality of biological sex erases the experiences of women worldwide and eliminates the possibility of same-sex attraction.{{cite web |last1=Sommer |first1=Marni |last2=Kamowa |first2=Virginia |last3=Mahon |first3=Therese |date=28 May 2020 |title=Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate |url=https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/opinion-creating-a-more-equal-post-covid-19-world-for-people-who-menstruate-97312 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612180739/https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/opinion-creating-a-more-equal-post-covid-19-world-for-people-who-menstruate-97312 |archive-date=12 June 2020 |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=Devex}}{{cite news |last=Petter |first=Olivia |date=15 June 2020 |title=JK Rowling criticised over 'transphobic' tweet about menstruation |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jk-rowling-tweet-women-menstruate-people-transphobia-twitter-a9552866.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923191434/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jk-rowling-tweet-women-menstruate-people-transphobia-twitter-a9552866.html |archive-date=23 September 2020}} Responding to criticism, she stated her view that "sex is real and has lived consequences", while additionally writing: "I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them."{{cite news |last1=Milne |first1=Amber |title=J.K. Rowling faces backlash again over 'anti-trans' tweets |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-lgbt-transgender-idINL8N2DK05U |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=Reuters |date=7 June 2020 |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010061107/https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-lgbt-transgender-idINL8N2DK05U |url-status=live}}

Rowling published an essay on her personal website in 2020 in which she expressed a number of concerns about what she called the "new trans activism". Rowling characterises arguments that femaleness does not reside in the sexed body, and assertions that biological women do not have common experiences, as being misogynistic. She finds language calling females "menstruators" to be dehumanising, and she believes that the trans activist movement seeks to erode women as a political class as well as a biological one. She also said that the attempt to redefine the legal definition of sex in terms of gender would put safe spaces for women at risk.{{cite web |last=Rowling |first=J. K. |date=10 June 2020 |title=J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues |website=Jkrowling.com |url=https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/ |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611002407/https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/ |archive-date=11 June 2020 |url-status=live}} She said she was concerned that girls were transitioning in order to escape sexism,{{cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=J.K. Rowling Defends Trans Statements In Lengthy Essay, Reveals She's A Sexual Assault Survivor & Says "Trans People Need And Deserve Protection" |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/j-k-rowling-defends-trans-statements-essay-1202955524/ |access-date=5 January 2022 |work=Deadline |date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617105605/https://deadline.com/2020/06/j-k-rowling-defends-trans-statements-essay-1202955524/ |url-status=live}} and that she was a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and stated that "When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he's a woman...then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside". She also stated in her essay: "I believe the majority of trans-identified people not only pose zero threat to others, but are vulnerable ... trans people need and deserve protection ... I feel nothing but empathy and solidarity with trans women who've been abused by men."{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Sandra |title=J.K. Rowling explains her gender identity views in essay amid backlash |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/10/entertainment/jk-rowling/index.html |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=CNN |date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005190025/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/10/entertainment/jk-rowling/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Garrand |first1=Danielle |title=.K. Rowling defends herself after accusations of making "anti-trans" comments on Twitter |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/j-k-rowling-defends-anti-trans-comments-twitter/ |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=CBS News |date=11 June 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929104804/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/j-k-rowling-defends-anti-trans-comments-twitter/ |url-status=live}}

The essay was nominated by the BBC's Amol Rajan for the Russell prize for best writing. The broadcaster said it appreciated Rowling's "bravery" for writing the blog despite the reaction it caused, and the nomination did not mean the BBC supported Rowling's argument.{{cite news |title=The winners: 2020 Russell prize for best writing. |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55350905 |work=BBC News |date=21 December 2020 |access-date=22 December 2020 |archive-date=21 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221234619/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55350905 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=BBC nominates J.K.Rowling's controversial essay of trans rights for award |url=https://www.dw.com/en/bbc-nominates-jk-rowlings-controversial-essay-on-trans-rights-for-award/a-56014673 |work=dw |date=22 December 2020 |access-date=22 December 2020 |archive-date=22 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222045041/https://www.dw.com/en/bbc-nominates-jk-rowlings-controversial-essay-on-trans-rights-for-award/a-56014673 |url-status=live}} Among those who disputed the claims in Rowling's essay were Stonewall;{{cite web |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/long-reads/2021/11/the-battle-for-stonewall-the-lgbt-charity-and-the-uks-gender-wars |title=The battle for Stonewall: the LGBT charity and the UK's gender wars |work=New Statesman |date=3 November 2021 |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129094740/https://www.newstatesman.com/long-reads/2021/11/the-battle-for-stonewall-the-lgbt-charity-and-the-uks-gender-wars |url-status=live}} Mermaids, a charity for gender non-conforming children, which criticised Rowling for what it saw as Rowling conflating "trans women with male sexual predators".{{cite web |url=https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/dear-jk-rowling/ |title=An open letter to J.K. Rowling |publisher=Mermaids |date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612191740/https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/dear-jk-rowling/ |archive-date=12 June 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=13 June 2020}}{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Matt |title=Mermaids writes open letter to JK Rowling following her anti-trans tweets |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/community/137180/mermaids-writes-open-letter-to-jk-rowling-following-her-anti-trans-tweets |work=Gay Times |date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613155801/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/community/137180/mermaids-writes-open-letter-to-jk-rowling-following-her-anti-trans-tweets/ |archive-date=13 June 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2020}} Women's rights groups in the United States had said in 2016 that 200 municipalities which allowed transgender people to use women's shelters reported no rise in violence.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-lgbt-rowling-explainer-trfn-idUSKBN23I3AI |title=Explainer: J. K. Rowling and trans women in single-sex spaces: what's the furore? |work=Reuters |date=11 June 2020 |accessdate=6 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415184146/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-lgbt-rowling-explainer-trfn-idUSKBN23I3AI |url-status=live}}

Rowling believes that "no child is 'born in the wrong body'," arguing that adults are promoting an ideology that bodies can be modified, which will prove harmful in the future. She has criticised schools for affirming trans identities without parental consent, and argues that parents may be protecting their children from a cultural assumption that anxieties about sexuality and puberty can be resolved by solutions that require lifelong dependence of pharmaceutical interventions.{{cite news |last1=McArdle |first1=Tom |date=30 December 2024 |title=JK Rowling says 'no child is born in the wrong body' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/30/jk-rowling-trans-kids-harry-potter-ideology-wrong-body/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250101233306/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/30/jk-rowling-trans-kids-harry-potter-ideology-wrong-body/ |archive-date=1 January 2025 |access-date=1 January 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Sophie |date=1 January 2025 |title=JK Rowling claims there 'are no trans kids' |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/01/01/jk-rowling-trans-kids/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250101232129/https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/01/01/jk-rowling-trans-kids/ |archive-date=1 January 2025 |access-date=1 January 2025 |website=PinkNews}} She has said that she "never set out to upset anyone" but was "not uncomfortable with getting off my pedestal." Neither is she concerned, she explained, about how her opposition to trans rights will affect her legacy.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=21 February 2023 |title=J.K. Rowling Podcast Debut: 'I Do Not Walk Around My House Thinking About My Legacy' |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/j-k-rowling-witch-trials-podcast-debut-legacy-harry-potter-1235266158/ |access-date=22 February 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221172031/https://deadline.com/2023/02/j-k-rowling-witch-trials-podcast-debut-legacy-harry-potter-1235266158/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=22 February 2023 |title=JK Rowling dismisses backlash over trans comments: 'I don't care about my legacy' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64729304 |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=BBC News |language=en |archive-date=22 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222110842/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64729304 |url-status=live}} She claims the term cisgender is "ideological language signifying belief in the unfalsifiable concept of gender identity."{{Cite web |last=Tinoco |first=Armando |date=21 June 2023 |title=Elon Musk Says 'Cis' & 'Cisgender' Are 'Considered Slurs' On Twitter; 'Harry Potter' Author J.K. Rowling Weighs In On Terms |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/elon-musk-cis-cisgender-considered-slurs-twitter-harry-potter-j-k-rowling-1235422000/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621193859/https://deadline.com/2023/06/elon-musk-cis-cisgender-considered-slurs-twitter-harry-potter-j-k-rowling-1235422000/ |url-status=live}}

Rowling opposes legislation to advance gender self-recognition and enable transition without a medical diagnosis, and criticised Labour party leader Keir Starmer who said "trans women are women" in his personal opinion and according to British law. She accused him of misrepresenting the law.{{cite news |last=Russell |first=Rachel |title=JK Rowling accuses Keir Starmer of 'misrepresenting equalities law' on trans women |url=https://news.sky.com/story/jk-rowling-accuses-keir-starmer-of-misrepresenting-equalities-law-on-trans-women-12564477 |access-date=13 March 2022 |agency=Sky News |date=12 March 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312232556/https://news.sky.com/story/jk-rowling-accuses-keir-starmer-of-misrepresenting-equalities-law-on-trans-women-12564477 |url-status=live}} She also voiced opposition to the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill, aimed at allowing transgender people to change their legal gender more easily.{{cite web |title=JK Rowling backs protest over Scottish gender bill |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-63162533 |website=BBC News |access-date=4 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221007064433/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-63162533 |archive-date=2022-10-07 |language=en |date=6 October 2022 |url-status=live}} and subsequently she donated £70,000 to the legal challenge{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Libby |title=Transgender judge seeks leave to intervene in UK court case over legal definition of 'woman' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/28/transgender-judge-seeks-leave-to-intervene-in-uk-court-case-over-legal-definition-of-woman |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240328064516/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/28/transgender-judge-seeks-leave-to-intervene-in-uk-court-case-over-legal-definition-of-woman |archive-date=2024-03-28 |language=en |date=28 March 2024 |url-status=live}} brought by For Women Scotland against the Scottish Ministers in the UK Supreme Court, which ruled in 2025 that the legal definition of a woman in the UK Equality Act 2010 is based on biological sex.{{cite news |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |title=Legal definition of woman is based on biological sex, UK supreme court rules |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/16/critics-of-trans-rights-win-uk-supreme-court-case-over-definition-of-woman |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=16 April 2025}}{{cite news |title=In landmark ruling, UK's top court says legal definition of woman refers to biological sex |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-highest-court-rule-definition-woman-under-equality-laws-2025-04-15/ |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters}}

Rowling established a sexual assault crisis centre, Beira's Place in December 2022, exclusively for cisgender female victims of sexual violence. The Guardian quoted rape crisis specialists as saying it "would provide much-needed extra provision, because existing services were being overwhelmed by new cases" and noted that "under the Equality Act, services that exclude trans women are lawful if they are proportionate and legitimate".{{Cite web |date=12 December 2022 |title=JK Rowling launches support centre for female victims of sexual violence |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/12/jk-rowling-launches-support-centre-for-female-victims-of-sexual-violence |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=12 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212165212/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/12/jk-rowling-launches-support-centre-for-female-victims-of-sexual-violence |url-status=live}} In response to a fan praising this decision, Rowling tweeted "Merry Terfmas".{{Cite web |author=Alex Bollinger |date=19 December 2022 |title=JK Rowling gleefully tweets anti-trans "holiday" message to fan |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/jk-rowling-gleefully-tweets-anti-trans-holiday-message-fan/ |access-date=24 December 2022 |work=LGBTQ Nation |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224180425/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/jk-rowling-gleefully-tweets-anti-trans-holiday-message-fan/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |author=John Russel |date=13 December 2022 |title=JK Rowling opened a rape crisis center that excludes trans women |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/jk-rowling-opened-rape-crisis-center-excludes-trans-women/ |access-date=24 December 2022 |work=LGBTQ Nation |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224010934/https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/12/jk-rowling-opened-rape-crisis-center-excludes-trans-women/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Ring |first=Trudy |date=19 December 2022 |title=J.K. Rowling Lambasted for 'Merry Terfmas' Tweet |url=https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2022/12/19/jk-rowling-lambasted-merry-terfmas-tweet |magazine=The Advocate |access-date=24 December 2022 |archive-date=24 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224180434/https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2022/12/19/jk-rowling-lambasted-merry-terfmas-tweet |url-status=live}}

Rowling has also expressed her opposition to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, and when this went into effect in April 2024, she deliberately misgendered several transgender women to challenge the new law.{{cite news |last1=Sands |first1=Leo |title=Scotland's hate speech law ignites culture war far outside its borders |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/10/hate-crime-speech-scotland-jk-rowling/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240410114017/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/10/hate-crime-speech-scotland-jk-rowling/ |archive-date=2024-04-10 |language=en |date=10 April 2024 |quote=In a series of social media posts, which misgendered trans women and mocked their physical appearance, Rowling — who lives in Scotland — wrote that 'freedom of speech and belief are at an end … if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal,' and dared Scottish police to arrest her 'if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offense.' |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Katy |title=Yousaf 'not surprised' JK Rowling posts are not criminal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-68725547 |website=BBC News |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240404103041/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-68725547 |archive-date=2024-04-04 |language=en |date=3 April 2024 |quote=Humza Yousaf said he was "not surprised" police had assessed JK Rowling's online posts challenging the new hate crime law to be non-criminal. The Harry Potter author described several transgender women as men, including convicted prisoners, trans activists and other public figures. |url-status=live}} Throughout the thread, Rowling sarcastically referred to all the people as female, but at the end clarified, "Obviously, the people mentioned in the above tweets aren't women at all, but men, every last one of them."{{cite web |last1=Boothman |first1=John |title=JK Rowling will not face prosecution under Scotland hate crime law |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/jk-rowling-prosecuted-trans-twitter-scotland-hate-crime-law-jqjv3jqkj |website=The Times |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240403212245/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jk-rowling-prosecuted-trans-twitter-scotland-hate-crime-law-jqjv3jqkj |archive-date=2024-04-03 |language=en |date=14 April 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Chilton |first1=Louis |title=Arresting JK Rowling wouldn't have made her anti-trans comments any less harmful |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/jk-rowling-arrest-trans-transphobia-b2522155.html |website=The Independent |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240402174944/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/jk-rowling-arrest-trans-transphobia-b2522155.html |archive-date=2024-04-02 |language=en |date=3 April 2024 |url-status=live}} Rowling said that, if her comments were illegal under the new law, she "looked forward to being arrested".{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=James |last2=Hastie |first2=Paul |title=JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over Scottish hate crime law |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51j64lk2l8o |website=BBC News |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240401153616/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51j64lk2l8o |archive-date=2024-04-01 |language=en |date=1 April 2024 |url-status=live}} Later, a spokesperson for Police Scotland said that Rowling's statements were "not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken."{{cite web |first=Libby |last=Brooks |title=JK Rowling will not be arrested under new Scottish hate law, say police |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/02/jk-rowling-will-not-be-arrested-under-new-scottish-hate-law-say-police |website=The Guardian |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240402173314/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/02/jk-rowling-will-not-be-arrested-under-new-scottish-hate-law-say-police |archive-date=2024-04-02 |language=en |date=2 April 2024 |url-status=live}} The then-Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, defended Rowling, saying "We should not be criminalising people saying common sense on biological sex".{{cite web |last1=Bonar |first1=Megan |title=Prime minister backs JK Rowling in row over new hate crime laws |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmmqq4qv81qo |website=BBC News |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240402120300/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmmqq4qv81qo |archive-date=2024-04-02 |language=en |date=2 April 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Deb |first1=Sopan |title=Scottish Hate Crime Law Takes Effect as Critics Warn It Will Stifle Speech |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/01/world/europe/scotland-hate-crime-law.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=26 April 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240402143105/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/01/world/europe/scotland-hate-crime-law.html |archive-date=2024-04-02 |language=en |date=1 April 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

Within days of the publication of Rowling's 2020 essay, Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the movie franchise, released a response in support of transgender people, and stating his own belief that trans women are women.{{cite thesis |last1=Brodbeck |first1=Kristina Nichole |title=Harry Potter and the Swishers: Community Response and Rewriting Rowling - ProQuest |url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/18d51f6ea98d311388146abd3283123a/1?cbl=18750&diss=y&pq-origsite=gscholar |degree=PhD |publisher=University of Cincinnati|location=Cincinatti|access-date=22 April 2025 |language=en}}{{rp|3}} Other actors known for portraying Rowling's characters in the Wizarding World criticised her views directly, or spoke out in support of trans rights, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Eddie Redmayne.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/emma-watson-eddie-redmayne-jk-rowling-transgender-comments/ |title=The 'Harry Potter' Kids Are All Right: Emma Watson, Eddie Redmayne Condemn J.K. Rowling's Trangender Comments |last=Bui |first=Hoai-Tran |date=11 June 2020 |work=SlashFilm.com |access-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611191037/https://www.slashfilm.com/emma-watson-eddie-redmayne-jk-rowling-transgender-comments/ |archive-date=11 June 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Haynes |first1=Suyin |title=Emma Watson, Eddie Redmayne and Other 'Harry Potter' Actors Voice Support for Transgender People |url=https://time.com/5851989/emma-watson-transgender-jk-rowling/ |access-date=7 February 2022 |magazine=Time |date=11 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207042958/https://time.com/5851989/emma-watson-transgender-jk-rowling/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Isobel |title=Rupert Grint speaks out after JK Rowling's comments about trans people |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/rupert-grint-jk-rowling-trans-people-women-twitter-a9563431.html |access-date=7 February 2022 |work=The Independent |date=12 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207043244/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/rupert-grint-jk-rowling-trans-people-women-twitter-a9563431.html |url-status=live}} A public backlash to Rowling's Twitter interactions also saw calls for her cancellation and to ignore her voice.{{cite journal |last1=Anania |first1=V |title=The Author Is Cancelled, Long Live the Author (s): Alternative Authorial Authorities and Fluid Authorship in the Wizarding World |journal=Makins |date=2021 |volume=2 |issue=1 |url=https://makingsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Valentina-Anania-2021.pdf}}{{rp|11}}

Some actors in the franchise have come to Rowling's defence. Helena Bonham Carter{{cite magazine |last1=Shoard |first1=Catherine |title='It's horrendous': Helena Bonham Carter defends JK Rowling and Johnny Depp |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/nov/28/helena-bonham-carter-defends-jk-rowling-and-johnny-depp |access-date=30 April 2023 |magazine=The Guardian |date=28 November 2022 |language=en |archive-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429231131/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/nov/28/helena-bonham-carter-defends-jk-rowling-and-johnny-depp |url-status=live}} and Ralph Fiennes{{cite news |first=James |last=Hibberd |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ralph-fiennes-defends-j-k-rowling-amid-trans-controversy-says-backlash-is-disturbing-4151944/ |title=Ralph Fiennes defends J.K. rowling amid trans controversy, says backlash is 'disturbing' |date=17 March 2021 |access-date=26 March 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=27 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327154853/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ralph-fiennes-defends-j-k-rowling-amid-trans-controversy-says-backlash-is-disturbing-4151944/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Dowd |first1=Maureen |title=Ralph Fiennes, Master of Monsters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/22/style/ralph-fiennes-robert-moses.html |access-date=30 April 2023 |magazine=The New York Times |date=22 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326234553/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/22/style/ralph-fiennes-robert-moses.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} spoke out in support of Rowling. Actress Noma Dumezweni initially expressed support for Rowling but rescinded this following backlash.{{cite news |last=Malvern |first=Jack |date=13 June 2020 |title=JK Rowling: flood of tweets reverses Noma Dumezweni's praise of author |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/jk-rowling-flood-of-tweets-reverses-noma-dumezwenis-praise-of-author-lrm6nl79q |work=The Times |access-date=13 June 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613093520/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/jk-rowling-flood-of-tweets-reverses-noma-dumezwenis-praise-of-author-lrm6nl79q |archive-date=13 June 2020 |url-status=live}} Evanna Lynch initially criticised Rowling's views but later condemned the intense backlash against her.{{cite news |first=Christy |last=Piña |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/evanna-lynch-j-k-rowling-trans-controversy-1235334070/ |title=Evanna Lynch Addresses J.K. Rowling Trans Controversy, Says the Author Advocates for "Most Vulnerable Members of Society" |date=24 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227233120/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/evanna-lynch-j-k-rowling-trans-controversy-1235334070/ |url-status=live}} Other performers and activists have supported Rowling and condemned comments against her,{{sfn|Schwirblat|Freberg|Freberg|2022|p=368}} including Ayaan Hirsi Ali,{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Law |date=15 October 2020 |title=JK Rowling and the bitter battle of the book world |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/books/trans-battle-book-world-jk-rowling-a4571221.html |work=Evening Standard |access-date=27 March 2022 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217171348/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/books/trans-battle-book-world-jk-rowling-a4571221.html |url-status=live}} Julie Bindel,{{cite news |last1=Thorpe |first1=Vanessa |title=JK Rowling: from magic to the heart of a Twitter storm |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/14/jk-rowling-from-magic-to-the-heart-of-a-twitter-storm |work=The Guardian |date=14 June 2020 |quote=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. |access-date=6 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704200412/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/14/jk-rowling-from-magic-to-the-heart-of-a-twitter-storm |archive-date=4 July 2020 |url-status=live}} Dave Chappelle,{{Cite news |first=Maya |last=Yang |date=7 October 2021 |title='I'm team Terf': Dave Chappelle under fire over pro-JK Rowling trans stance |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/oct/07/dave-chappelle-transgender-netflix-special-backlash |access-date=27 March 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028120744/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/oct/07/dave-chappelle-transgender-netflix-special-backlash |url-status=live}} Robbie Coltrane,{{cite news |last=Yasharoff |first=Hannah |title=How the 'Harry Potter' reunion addresses author J.K. Rowling's anti-trans controversy |date=30 December 2021 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/12/30/harry-potter-return-hogwarts-20th-reunion-emma-watson-jk-rowling-controversy/9042955002/ |work=USA Today |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403004609/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/12/30/harry-potter-return-hogwarts-20th-reunion-emma-watson-jk-rowling-controversy/9042955002/ |url-status=live}} Dana International,{{cite news |last1=Shirbon |first1=Estelle |title=J.K. Rowling reveals past abuse and defends right to speak on trans issues |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-rowling/j-k-rowling-reveals-past-abuse-and-defends-right-to-speak-on-trans-issues-idUSKBN23H2XI |agency=Reuters |date=10 June 2020 |access-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611200348/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-rowling/j-k-rowling-reveals-past-abuse-and-defends-right-to-speak-on-trans-issues-idUSKBN23H2XI |archive-date=11 June 2020 |url-status=live}} Eddie Izzard,{{cite news |author= |title='I don't think JK Rowling is transphobic,' says gender-fluid comedian Eddie Izzard |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/dont-think-jk-rowling-transphobic-says-gender-fluid-comedian/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/dont-think-jk-rowling-transphobic-says-gender-fluid-comedian/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=1 January 2021}}{{cbignore}} Kathleen Stock, Alison Moyet, Ian McEwan, and Frances Barber.{{cite news |last=Flockhart |first=Gary |date=28 September 2020 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=The Scotsman |title=JK Rowling receives support from Ian McEwan and Frances Barber amid 'transphobia' row |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/jk-rowling-receives-support-from-ian-mcewan-and-frances-barber-amid-transphobia-row-2986268 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510160553/https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/jk-rowling-receives-support-from-ian-mcewan-and-frances-barber-amid-transphobia-row-2986268 |url-status=live}} Former British prime minister Tony Blair expressed his belief that Labour could not win a general election if it "looked askance" at Rowling's views on transgender people, calling for open debate on the issue.{{Cite web |date=11 May 2021 |title=Tony Blair: Without total change Labour will die |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2021/05/tony-blair-without-total-change-labour-will-die |access-date=9 October 2021 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200901/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2021/05/tony-blair-without-total-change-labour-will-die |url-status=live}}

The reaction of Warner Bros. Entertainment was measured, but increasingly stressed the collaborative nature of the Harry Potter brand.{{R|Anania 2021|p=12}} Warner Bros and Universal Studios Parks & Resorts released statements in June 2020, emphasising their prioritisation of LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity, but did not directly mention Rowling or her comments.{{cite news |last1=Siegel |first1=Tatiana |last2=Abramovitch |first2=Seth |date=10 June 2020 |title=Universal Parks responds to J.K. Rowling tweets: 'Our core values include diversity, inclusion and respect' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/universal-parks-responds-jk-rowling-tweets-core-values-include-diversity-inclusion-respect-1297845/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406123953/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/universal-parks-responds-jk-rowling-tweets-core-values-include-diversity-inclusion-respect-1297845/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Warner Bros. Finally Responds To J.K. Rowling's Shocking Commitment to Being Transphobic |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/warner-bros-releases-statement-on-jk-rowling-trans-comments.html |website=Vulture |date=10 June 2020 |author=Chris Murphy |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715072136/https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/warner-bros-releases-statement-on-jk-rowling-trans-comments.html |url-status=live}} Rowling received support from actors Robbie Coltrane{{Cite web |last=Ntim |first=Zac |title=Hagrid actor Robbie Coltrane says people accusing JK Rowling of transphobia 'hang around waiting to be offended' |url=https://www.insider.com/hagrid-actor-robbie-coltrane-defends-jk-rowling-over-transphobia-claim-2020-9 |access-date=25 September 2020 |work=Insider |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200915230804/https://www.insider.com/hagrid-actor-robbie-coltrane-defends-jk-rowling-over-transphobia-claim-2020-9 |url-status=live}} and Brian Cox,{{cite web |title=Succession star Brian Cox jumps to JK Rowling's defence while lambasting inclusive language around menstruation |work=Pink News |first=Patrick |last=Kelleher |date=24 September 2020 |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/09/24/succession-brian-cox-jk-rowling-defence-cancel-culture-troubled-blood-robert-galbraith/ |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925210103/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/09/24/succession-brian-cox-jk-rowling-defence-cancel-culture-troubled-blood-robert-galbraith/ |url-status=live}} and some feminists such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali.{{cite news |last=Hirsi Ali |first=Ayaan |title=J.K. Rowling's lonely fight for women's rights |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/j-k-rowlings-lonely-fight-for-womens-rights |work=The Washington Examiner |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708045449/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/j-k-rowlings-lonely-fight-for-womens-rights |archive-date=8 July 2020 |url-status=live}} The radical feminist Julie Bindel said that Rowling "has inspired generations of young women and men to look into issues of sex-based discrimination".

In June 2020, the Equality Act was blocked in the U.S. Senate. Republican senator James Lankford cited Rowling's essay as part of his reasoning for opposing the bill.{{cite web |first=Tim |last=Fitzsimons |title=GOP senator quotes J.K. Rowling while blocking vote on LGBTQ bill |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/gop-senator-quotes-j-k-rowling-while-blocking-vote-lgbtq-n1231569 |work=NBC News |date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619231227/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/gop-senator-quotes-j-k-rowling-while-blocking-vote-lgbtq-n1231569 |archive-date=19 June 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2020}} Four authors resigned in protest from the Blair Partnership, Rowling's literary agency, after the company refused to issue a public statement of support for trans rights, saying that "freedom of speech can only be upheld if the structural inequalities that hinder equal opportunities for underrepresented groups are challenged and changed."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/22/authors-quit-jk-rowling-agency-over-transgender-rights |title=Authors quit JK Rowling agency over transgender rights |last=Waterson |first=Jim |work=The Guardian |date=22 June 2020 |access-date=24 July 2020 |archive-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716175931/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/22/authors-quit-jk-rowling-agency-over-transgender-rights |url-status=live}}

In July 2020, following the threat of legal action, British children's newssite The Day publicly apologised to Rowling after publishing an article that suggested her comments caused harm to and attacked transgender people, made comparisons between Rowling's views and those of Wagner on race and Picasso on women, and called for her work to be boycotted. The publication agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to a charity of Rowling's choice.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/23/childrens-news-website-apologises-jk-rowling-trans-tweet-day |title=Children's news website apologises to JK Rowling over trans tweet row |last=Waterson |first=Jim |work=The Guardian |date=23 July 2020 |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=23 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723183409/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/23/childrens-news-website-apologises-jk-rowling-trans-tweet-day |url-status=live}} Rowling returned her Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award in August 2020, after RFKHR president Kerry Kennedy called her statements "deeply troubling", "transphobic" and degrading towards transgender people.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/28/jk-rowling-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-award-trans-views |title=JK Rowling returns human rights award to group that denounces her trans views |last=Flood |first=Alison |work=The Guardian |date=28 August 2020 |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=28 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828130731/https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/28/jk-rowling-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-award-trans-views |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://rfkhumanrights.org/news/a-statement-from-kerry-kennedy-president-of-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights |title=A Statement from Kerry Kennedy |work=Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights website |date=3 August 2020 |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=28 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828202722/https://rfkhumanrights.org/news/a-statement-from-kerry-kennedy-president-of-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Statement from J.K. Rowling regarding the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award |url=https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/statement-from-j-k-rowling-regarding-the-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-ripple-of-hope-award/ |access-date=5 September 2020 |archive-date=6 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906180842/https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/statement-from-j-k-rowling-regarding-the-robert-f-kennedy-human-rights-ripple-of-hope-award/ |url-status=live}} Rowling stated that she was "deeply saddened" to be returning the award, reiterating her admiration for Robert Kennedy, but said that no award "means so much to me that I would forfeit the right to follow the dictates of my own conscience."

While expressing empathy towards trans individuals, her comments were labelled as "cruel" and "anti-trans" by media advocacy group GLAAD.{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=6 June 2020 |title=J.K. Rowling Gets Backlash Over Anti-Trans Tweets |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/jk-rowling-transphobic-tweets-controversy-1234627081/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607005447/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/jk-rowling-transphobic-tweets-controversy-1234627081/ |archive-date=7 June 2020 |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Avila |first=Pamela |date=6 June 2020 |title=J.K. Rowling Faces Backlash Over Tweets Considered Transphobic |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1159143/j-k-rowling-faces-backlash-from-fans-over-tweets-considered-transphobic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607030444/https://www.eonline.com/news/1159143/j-k-rowling-faces-backlash-from-fans-over-tweets-considered-transphobic |archive-date=7 June 2020 |access-date=7 June 2020 |work=E! Online}} The fansites MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron have expressed criticism towards Rowling.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/03/harry-potter-fan-sites-distance-themselves-from-jk-rowling-over-transgender-rights |title=Harry Potter fan sites distance themselves from JK Rowling over transgender rights |work=The Guardian |date=3 July 2020 |access-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703011204/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/03/harry-potter-fan-sites-distance-themselves-from-jk-rowling-over-transgender-rights |archive-date=3 July 2020 |url-status=live}}

In September 2020, a letter in support of Rowling, signed by 58 entertainers and authors, including Ian McEwan, actress Frances Barber, playwright Tom Stoppard and actor Griff Rhys Jones, was published in The Sunday Times. The letter condemned the "onslaught of abuse" directed at Rowling on social media, describing such behaviour as an "insidious, authoritarian and misogynistic trend".{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/literati-rally-to-jk-rowlings-defence-in-row-over-cormoran-strike-book-vk5frvvj0 |title=Literati rally to JK Rowling's defence in row over Cormoran Strike book |last=Hellen |first=Nicholas |work=The Sunday Times |date=27 September 2020 |access-date=19 September 2020 |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927104212/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/literati-rally-to-jk-rowlings-defence-in-row-over-cormoran-strike-book-vk5frvvj0 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/article/letters-to-the-editor-banish-empire-and-make-us-all-proud-5tl06tt6h |title=Letters to the Editor |work=The Sunday Times |date=27 September 2020 |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929013903/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/letters-to-the-editor-banish-empire-and-make-us-all-proud-5tl06tt6h |url-status=live}} Actor Eddie Redmayne similarly condemned the abuse targeted at Rowling, whilst also condemning the abuse towards transgender people.{{Cite news |date=29 September 2020 |title=Eddie Redmayne condemns 'vitriol' aimed at JK Rowling after her trans rights comments |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/sep/29/eddie-redmayne-jk-rowling-condemns-vitriol-trans-rights-comments |access-date=29 September 2020 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929212917/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/sep/29/eddie-redmayne-jk-rowling-condemns-vitriol-trans-rights-comments |url-status=live}} Genderfluid comedian and actor Eddie Izzard stated that she does not consider Rowling transphobic and encouraged people to read Rowling's work about the topic.{{cite news |last1=Cordero |first1=Rosy |title=Eddie Izzard defends J.K. Rowling, says she doesn't believe author is transphobic |url=https://ew.com/celebrity/eddie-izzard-defends-j-k-rowling/ |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124190504/https://ew.com/celebrity/eddie-izzard-defends-j-k-rowling/ |url-status=live}} In an interview with New Statesman, philosopher and gender theorist Judith Butler agreed that Rowling should not be subject to abuse, but urged people to oppose any form of abuse against transgender people.{{Cite web |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/international/2020/09/judith-butler-culture-wars-jk-rowling-and-living-anti-intellectual-times |title=Judith Butler on the culture wars, JK Rowling and living in "anti-intellectual times" |last=Ferber |first=Alona |work=New Statesman |date=22 September 2020 |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929171104/https://www.newstatesman.com/international/2020/09/judith-butler-culture-wars-jk-rowling-and-living-anti-intellectual-times |url-status=live}}

In December 2023 the online New Zealand publication The Spinoff reported that the Auckland War Memorial Museum had cancelled plans to host a Fantastic Beasts exhibit due to several staff members expressing concerns to the management about Rowling's views on transgender people.{{cite news |last1=Greive |first1=Duncan |title=Why Auckland Museum pulled the pin on hosting a hit Harry Potter exhibition |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/13-12-2023/why-auckland-museum-pulled-the-pin-on-hosting-a-hit-harry-potter-exhibition |access-date=25 December 2023 |work=The Spinoff |date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219004517/https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/13-12-2023/why-auckland-museum-pulled-the-pin-on-hosting-a-hit-harry-potter-exhibition |archive-date=19 December 2023}}

In 2006, Rowling criticised skinny models, describing that their "only function in the world appears to be supporting the trade in overpriced handbags and rat-sized dogs". She condemned societal beauty standards in "this skinny-obsessed world" and magazine covers that feature people who are "either seriously ill or suffering from an eating disorder".{{cite web |title=Rowling slams 'emaciated' models|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4878958.stm |work=BBC News |date=5 April 2006 |archive-date=8 August 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070808172825/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4878958.stm |url-status=live |access-date=24 July 2020}}

Rowling was criticised both for her comments on underweight people—hoping her daughters would not become "empty-headed, self-obsessed, emaciated clones"—and for the portrayal of overweight people in Harry Potter; Rowling responded that Harry Potter characters who are "on the plumper side" include "several of my most important, admirable and lovable characters".{{Cite news |last= |first= |title=Rowling's weighty issue |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/rowlings-weighty-issue-rmkvrhszsbr |access-date=26 June 2022 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626051944/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rowlings-weighty-issue-rmkvrhszsbr |url-status=live }}

In 2017, Rowling expressed her opposition to the Mexico City Policy, which blocked US government support for international organisation that provided abortion counseling, when the policy was reinstated by Donald Trump, and said that she supported abortion rights, especially in underdeveloped countries.{{cite web |url= http://www.elleuk.com/life-and-culture/culture/news/a33606/jk-rowling-trump-anti-abortion-global-gag-rule/ |title=J.K. Rowling Takes Down Trump For Reinstating Anti-Abortion Rule |date=24 January 2017 |access-date=6 October 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180129004701/http://www.elleuk.com/life-and-culture/culture/news/a33606/jk-rowling-trump-anti-abortion-global-gag-rule/ |archive-date=29 January 2018 |url-status=live}} In 2022, she said she thinks all women should have the rights to "safe, legal abortion should they wish to terminate a pregnancy."{{Cite tweet |user=jk_rowling|author=J.K. Rowling|number=1522613347161624582|date=2022-05-06 |title=Well, in my case the answer would be yes and yes. I've always supported gay marriage & I support women's right to safe, legal abortion should they wish to terminate a pregnancy. I suspect most GC people would answer the same way, but by all means let journalists ask the question.}}

Rowling's employment at Amnesty International made her realise that "imagination is what allows us to empathise with people who have suffered horribly and to act on their behalf." The danger of inaction, Rowling said, comes from people who "prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all."

Rowling was recognised in 2007 with the Canadian Order of the Forest after demanding that her books be printed on "eco-friendly" papers.[http://communities.canada.com/financialpost/blogs/fpposted/archive/2007/10/23/jk-rowling-wins-order-of-the-forest.aspx JK Rowling wins the 'Order of the Forest'] {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071125144840/http://communities.canada.com/financialpost/blogs/fpposted/archive/2007/10/23/jk-rowling-wins-order-of-the-forest.aspx |date=25 November 2007}} Financial Post

In 2008, Rowling blocked the Finnish publication of her latest Harry Potter novel on paper from Finland because it lacked the ecologically friendly certification she favours.{{cite news |title =Special Paper Required for Harry Potter Book |date =24 January 2008 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/arts/24arts-SPECIALPAPER_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin |work =The New York Times |access-date =24 January 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090416015621/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/arts/24arts-SPECIALPAPER_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=arts&oref=slogin |archive-date =16 April 2009 |url-status =live}}

Rowling joined others in opposing age banding of children's books, signing a 2008 petition stating that the proposal to impose age-guidance ranges is "ill-conceived, damaging to the interests of young readers and highly unlikely to make the slightest difference to sales".{{cite news |first=Lindesay |last=Irvine |url= http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2288978,00.html |title=JK Rowling says no to age banding on children's books |work=The Guardian |access-date=2 April 2012 |location=London |date=3 July 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081010235020/http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2288978,00.html |archive-date=10 October 2008 |url-status=live}}

• Politics of Harry Potter

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Barratt |first1=B. |title=The Politics of Harry Potter |date=9 November 2012 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-1-137-01654-6 |language=en}}
• {{Cite journal|last=Duggan|first=Jennifer|date=28 March 2021|title=Transformative readings: Harry Potter fan fiction, trans/queer reader response, and J. K. Rowling|journal=Children's Literature in Education|volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=147–168 |doi=10.1007/s10583-021-09446-9|pmid=35645426 |pmc=9132366 |s2cid=233661189|issn=0045-6713|url= https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10583-021-09446-9.pdf}}
• {{cite journal |first= Madeleine |last= Pape |author-link= Madeleine Pape |title= Feminism, trans justice, and speech rights: a comparative perspective |journal= Law and Contemporary Problems |pages= 215–240|url= https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5037&context=lcp | date= 2022 |volume = 85 |issue = 1 |access-date= 29 March 2022}}
• {{cite journal |first=Sarah |last= Pedersen |title= 'They've got an absolute army of women behind them': the formation of a women's cooperative constellation in contemporary Scotland |journal= Scottish Affairs |date=2022|volume= 31 |issue = 1 |pages= 1–20 |doi= 10.3366/scot.2022.0394|s2cid= 246762983 |url= https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1375349 }}

• {{cite book |first1=Tatiana |last1=Schwirblat|first2=Karen |last2=Freberg |first3=Laura |last3=Freberg |year=2022 |chapter= Chapter 21: Cancel culture: a career vulture amongst influencers on social media |editor1-last=Lipschultz |editor1-first= Jeremy Harris |editor2-last=Freberg |editor2-first= Karen |editor3-last=Luttrell |editor3-first= Regina|title= The Emerald Handbook of Computer-Mediated Communication and Social Media |publisher= Emerald Publishing Limited |doi=10.1108/978-1-80071-597-420221021|isbn=978-1800715981}}
• {{cite web |last1=Sperger |first1=Lena |title=World War II. Influence on the Harry Potter Series |url=https://thecircular.org/world-war-ii-influence-on-the-harry-potter-series/ |website=The Circular |access-date=19 December 2024 |date=19 February 2019}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Steinfeld |first1=Jemimah|title= Not my turf: Helen Lewis argues that vitriol around the trans debate means only extreme voices are being heard |journal= Index on Censorship |year=2020 |volume=49 |issue= 1 |pages=34–35 |doi= 10.1177/0306422020917609 |s2cid=216495541 |doi-access=free }}
• {{cite journal |first1= Judith |last1= Suissa |first2= Alice |last2= Sullivan |title= The gender wars, academic freedom and education |journal= Journal of Philosophy of Education |volume= 55 |issue= 1 |date= February 2021 |pages= 55–82 |doi= 10.1111/1467-9752.12549 |s2cid= 233646159 |doi-access= free }}
• {{cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1= Wolfgang|last2= Hayes |first2= Nicky |title= Repressive moralism: world making and petty fascism in transgender politics |journal=Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science |publisher= Springer Publishing |year=2022|volume= 56|issue= 3|pages= 573–589|doi= 10.1007/s12124-021-09670-4 |pmid= 34988872|s2cid= 245709011|url= https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12124-021-09670-4.pdf}}

Category:J. K. Rowling

Category:Feminism and transgender topics

Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in the United Kingdom

Rowling, J. K.

Category:Harry Potter controversies

Category:Transgender history in the United Kingdom