Controversy Over J.K. Rowling
BY SAHANA PRAHBU '23
J.K. Rowling is an internationally renowned author, recognized for writing the immensely popular Harry Potter series. The first Harry Potter book, published in 1997, was widely successful, and Rowling continued to gain traction after the film adaptation’s release in 2001. Yet, despite the series’ prominent reputation, countless controversies have arisen about J. K. Rowling. In recent months, Rowling posted a tweet claiming that Dumbledore, the headmaster of the wizarding school, is gay. While appearing to support gay rights, Rowling has also espoused anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in other tweets, enraging many of her fans. They felt that she was exploiting the community for personal gain and perpetuating harmful ideas. Ultimately, even though Rowling may have tried to show support through her iconic book series, her tweets were undeniably offensive to the LGBTQ+ community.
In December 2019, Rowling tweeted, “Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.” Rowling’s tweet supported researcher Maya Forstater, who was fired for stating that people cannot change their biological sex, and alluded to her own transphobia.
At the same time, she revealed Dumbledore’s sexuality, simply to appeal to a certain audience and gain fame. She overlooks the T as a part of LGBTQ+, and this blatant exclusion indicates an unstable commitment to the community she has sought to win over. Along with her statement on Twitter about Dumbledore’s homosexuality, Rowling also confirmed that several other characters are gay, even though she has not directly stated so in the movies and books. This instigated an angry response from her fans, who believe that she only did this for attention, and that she purposely excluded the LGBTQ+ community in her original books in order to maximize her profit.
Their statements hold true, as the sexuality of Dumbledore and the other characters was never relevant, or even mentioned, in her original story. Instead, Harry Potter revolves around an orphaned boy who navigates his way through wizarding school. It never once acknowledges the specific experiences or barriers that a gay person faces. By suddenly revealing a character’s sexuality without relating it to her story, Rowling seems to disregard the impact of being LGBTQ+ on one’s identity and experiences. Rather than providing significant or meaningful representation, Rowling sought to incorporate more diverse characters in her book simply to gain attention and respect. Meanwhile, she actively supports anti-LGTBQ+ advocates such as Forstater, further implying that she only stated certain characters were queer to gain popularity.
While remaining single-minded in her transphobia, J.K. Rowling published a popular series that gained her a large following, though her ambition led her to exploit the LGBTQ+ community. By actively speaking against a part of the LGBTQ+ community but at the same time seemingly showing support, it is clear that her intentions were not completely pure. Having fame does not excuse people from their flaws, and while Rowling’s mistakes may seem insignificant to some, her fans and the rest of society must hold her accountable.
In December 2019, Rowling tweeted, “Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.” Rowling’s tweet supported researcher Maya Forstater, who was fired for stating that people cannot change their biological sex, and alluded to her own transphobia.
At the same time, she revealed Dumbledore’s sexuality, simply to appeal to a certain audience and gain fame. She overlooks the T as a part of LGBTQ+, and this blatant exclusion indicates an unstable commitment to the community she has sought to win over. Along with her statement on Twitter about Dumbledore’s homosexuality, Rowling also confirmed that several other characters are gay, even though she has not directly stated so in the movies and books. This instigated an angry response from her fans, who believe that she only did this for attention, and that she purposely excluded the LGBTQ+ community in her original books in order to maximize her profit.
Their statements hold true, as the sexuality of Dumbledore and the other characters was never relevant, or even mentioned, in her original story. Instead, Harry Potter revolves around an orphaned boy who navigates his way through wizarding school. It never once acknowledges the specific experiences or barriers that a gay person faces. By suddenly revealing a character’s sexuality without relating it to her story, Rowling seems to disregard the impact of being LGBTQ+ on one’s identity and experiences. Rather than providing significant or meaningful representation, Rowling sought to incorporate more diverse characters in her book simply to gain attention and respect. Meanwhile, she actively supports anti-LGTBQ+ advocates such as Forstater, further implying that she only stated certain characters were queer to gain popularity.
While remaining single-minded in her transphobia, J.K. Rowling published a popular series that gained her a large following, though her ambition led her to exploit the LGBTQ+ community. By actively speaking against a part of the LGBTQ+ community but at the same time seemingly showing support, it is clear that her intentions were not completely pure. Having fame does not excuse people from their flaws, and while Rowling’s mistakes may seem insignificant to some, her fans and the rest of society must hold her accountable.
