HARRY POTTER Author J.K. Rowling Doubles Down On Controversial Remarks: "Time Will Tell Whether [I'm] Wrong"

HARRY POTTER Author J.K. Rowling Doubles Down On Controversial Remarks: "Time Will Tell Whether [I'm] Wrong"

Despite repeatedly coming under fire for what some perceive to be "anti-trans" remarks, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling isn't backing down and believes many of her fans still stand by her. Check it out...

By JoshWilding - Mar 17, 2023 05:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Harry Potter
Source: SFFGazette.com

Despite facing continued backlash for what many deem her "anti-trans" views, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling isn't backing down. It all began when she shared an article about "creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate," admitting that it angered her to see women no longer being referred to as, well, women.

Talking on The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling podcast (via SFFGazette.com), Rowling said she knows that was "like dropping a hand grenade into Twitter," adding: "Did I mean to drop a hand grenade in? No. I was just keeping a rein on my own fury. So off it went."

Since then, the writer has continued to express concerns about certain elements of the trans community, including the fact allowing men who identify as women to enter women's changing rooms and bathrooms is a slippery slope that could lead to disastrous outcomes. The floodgates of hatred aimed at Rowling have since opened and she reflected on what that's been like.

"I absolutely knew that if I spoke out many people who would love my books would be deeply unhappy with me," she admits. "Personally, it has not been fun and I have been scared at times for my own safety and, overwhelmingly, for my family’s safety. Time will tell whether I’ve got this wrong."

"I can only say that I’ve thought about it deeply and hard and long and I’ve listened, I promise, to the other side."

Rowling would add, "I have to tell you, a ton of Potter fans were still with me. And in fact, a ton of Potter fans were grateful that I’d said what I said. I stand by every word that I wrote there, but the question is, What is the truth? And I’m arguing against people who are literally saying sex is a construct, [that] it’s not real."

"I believe absolutely that there is something dangerous about this movement and it must be challenged," she continued. "My position is that this activist’s movement, in the form that it’s currently taking, echoes the very thing that I was warning against in Harry Potter."

There are plenty of people who agree with Rowling and while some Harry Potter cast members were quick to criticise her views, she's been defended by Ralph Fiennes, Evanna Lynch, and Helena Bonham Carter. While the author ironically doesn't always choose her words carefully, any valid points she might have made are typically overshadowed by her being labelled anti-trans.

No matter what you do and don't agree with, it will be interesting to see if Rowling's elaboration on past comments cools things off or add further fuel to the fire. 

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Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 3/17/2023, 5:49 AM
Conquistador
Conquistador - 3/17/2023, 5:54 AM
I've actually been listening to those posdcast the last few weeks and it paints her perspective alot more humanly that they'll have you believe.

She'll be alright.
TabbiKat1331
TabbiKat1331 - 3/17/2023, 9:31 AM
@UniqNo - her stance has been completely blown out of proportion
Conquistador
Conquistador - 3/17/2023, 11:33 AM
@Twiz1331 - Agreed, but it doesn't suit their narrative so they completely shut her down.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 3/20/2023, 10:25 AM
@UniqNo - If you're open to a different perspective, this is an excellent podcast on the actual science of gender as we understand it today.
https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs/j4hl23
Conquistador
Conquistador - 3/20/2023, 10:48 AM
@ClintThaHamster - I think we should always remain open. If not we're just looking to hear from people that simply agree with us which doesn't move the conversation forward. I'll give a listen at some point if i remember. Got a few other ones i'm trying to get through first.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 3/20/2023, 1:45 PM
@UniqNo - Agreed. Speaking only for myself, I often feel that folks coming out on the same side as Rowling and Chapelle and other vocally TERF/transphobic voices aren't always willing to hear out the concerns of those that err more on the side of full rights and equality for trans folks. I feel like I understand the position of those to the right of me fairly well, but that my own position is often caricatured or just outright fabricated in online debates.

Anyway, I hope you'll give it a listen. It's a very even-handed discussion of actual facts.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 3/21/2023, 4:26 AM
@ClintThaHamster - Road works on the way to work this morning so i gave it a listen. It was interesting, but i would have liked to have heard from more than the 2 professionals that were being interviewed but it was insightful. I agree with some points in regards to not having children take hormones and allowing them to explore with clothing etc..though i would emphasise on the safety and supervision of it, well because we can't control other children in school and wouldn't want to subject any child to being bullied.

But my stance has always been that Trans people are human and should be treated with respect and dignity, but we should really examine and fine new solutions that don't infringe in other groups like safe spaces for biological females (including Trans men as JK also states).

Out of interest, did you watch the Matt Walsh Doc, "What is a woman?" that was quite good. Though he does have a biased view some of the interviews are well worth a watch...
Conquistador
Conquistador - 3/21/2023, 4:35 AM
@ClintThaHamster - As for Chapelle...i think the hardcore pro-activist are forgetting the guy is a comedian and he insults all groups, even black people.

In one of his specials he even spoke about his friend Daphne Dorman, a trans comedian who killed herself and even dedicated it to her. Though he believes scientifically your biology defines your sex, you can still identify as what gender you feel and will be respected at face value, but he can still believe in what he wants, as is his right.

There is definitley a group that are overly aggressive in their approach that poorly represents the group that they say they speak for, and unfortunately as they're voice is the loudest, we don't get a chance to hear from those that prefer to discuss things in a more civil manner.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 3/21/2023, 1:27 PM
@UniqNo - Matt Walsh has zero qualifications to inveigh on this topic, so I'm not especially interested in what he has to say about any of it. I formed my position on the matter by listening to trans people first, then scientists, then people who have concerns. And some of those concerns are rooted in real issues, though I'd argue that they've been blown so far out of proportion that it's hard to find where the truth is.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 3/21/2023, 1:35 PM
@ClintThaHamster - OK, but it's still another person's point of view, though he himself is biased, he's asking questions to people on both sides of the topic, so it's not fully one sided.

Agreed he's not qualified on the topic, but I think that was part of the point of it.

Whether you end up hating it, you should still try it to make up your own mind.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 3/21/2023, 2:06 PM
@UniqNo - I'll tell you this about that: I will not be giving any money to the Daily Wire in order to watch it. Those [frick]ers have invaded my home town, and they won't see a penny from me. I'm well aware of what Walsh's own position is.

Did you know that even the people on "both sides of the topic" say that they were misrepresented in said doc? Worth looking into . . .

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/matt-walsh-daily-wire-documentary-1364210/
Conquistador
Conquistador - 3/21/2023, 2:21 PM
@ClintThaHamster - oh I don't doubt it, like I said he's biased and was clearly trolling at some points which wasn't all that fair, but the people he was talking to were professional in trans studies, therapies, surgeons and also everyday people on both sides and also some with lived experience.

I didn't give my money to it either, but got a torrent. There's also a few watch a long videos with real time reactions from both sides on YouTube. Like I said, I believe we got to give opportunity to hear all sides and not just those we agree with. I don't respect all his views, that's for certain but some of the stuff I saw and heard was thought provoking.

Saying that and kind of off topic

I also have refound love for Lana Wachowski after watching the sense8 series for a 3rd time last week.. and reading/learning all the stuff she went through in making that series and how its reflected in the show. Best series in a long time even still after finishing a few years ago... I really wished WB gave matrix resurrections a better chance at the box office than they did.
Clintthahamster
Clintthahamster - 3/21/2023, 3:01 PM
@UniqNo - I guess what I'm saying is that I believe I understand Walsh's position on the issue. He lives where I live, and speaks in public on the issue (link below.) My concern is that the left isn't being heard clearly on the national stage, and so I'm doing my littler part in the spaces I haunt to counter what I see as transphobic narratives. It's exhausting, but it's the least I can do for my trans and non-binary friends and family.
https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/anti-trans-rally-led-by-matt-walsh-brings-right-wing-media-stars-to-nashville/article_62c08340-5160-11ed-81bb-53478d4387aa.html
Conquistador
Conquistador - 3/21/2023, 3:15 PM
@ClintThaHamster - oh ok. I get where you coming from, plus I guess it's a little closer to home for you so you're definitely seeing the impact more. 🤝
globaltravels
globaltravels - 3/17/2023, 5:55 AM
I support her having her own opinions. I don’t agree but that’s fine. What really isn’t doing any favors for the trans community is there behavior towards not only her, but anyone who agrees with her or even accepts she has a more traditional viewpoint. Their behavior over Hogwarts Legacy has also done serious damage towards the trans community too. More than she has ever done with her comments.
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