HARRY POTTER Author J.K. Rowling Isn't Worried About Controversies Tarnishing Her Legacy: "I'll Be Dead"

HARRY POTTER Author J.K. Rowling Isn't Worried About Controversies Tarnishing Her Legacy: "I'll Be Dead"

J.K. Rowling has become a divisive figure in recent years due to what some feel are her "anti-trans" views, but the Harry Potter author now explains why she's unconcerned about that tarnishing her legacy.

By JoshWilding - Feb 22, 2023 05:02 AM EST
Filed Under: Harry Potter
Source: Variety (via SFFGazette.com)

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has become a rather controversial figure in recent years, with her views on the transgender community proving particularly problematic for many of her (now former) fans. Ultimately, some agree with the concerns she's expressed about trans people identifying as female, while others have been quick to dismiss the writer as transphobic.

Rowling has frequently argued for the rights of biological women, including what she feels are the dangers of allowing someone who identifies as female to be allowed in a domestic abuse shelter or sex-segregated prison. The writer has also queried whether women are at risk of physical or sexual assault in locker rooms by some trans women. 

While the Harry Potter creator has defenders and detractors in equal measure, she's not backing down from her strong opinions and addressed that on the podcast The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling (via SFFGazette.com). 

Explaining that she "never meant to upset anyone" with her comments, Rowling was also asked if she agrees with fans who believe she's "ruined" her legacy. To that, she argues those people "could not have misunderstood me more profoundly."

"I do not walk around my house, thinking about my legacy," she explains. "You know, what a pompous way to live your life walking around thinking, ‘What will my legacy be?’ Whatever, I’ll be dead. I care about now. I care about the living."

Rowling also noted, "I have had direct threats of violence, and I have had people coming to my house where my kids live, and I’ve had my address posted online. I’ve had what the police, anyway, would regard as credible threats."

The recent furore surrounding the release of Hogwarts Legacy has also highlighted the trans community's darker side. After some members of the community harassed and threatened Twitch streamers who have played the video game, many other trans people came forward to make it clear they don't view those who buy it as anti-trans and don't support the vocal extremists. 

As for Rowling, it's clear she's not going to change her mind regardless of the threats or the impact her concerns are likely to have on her legacy. With that in mind, we expect her to remain a divisive figure whether you agree with her take or not. 

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling will run for seven episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other audio platforms.

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Conquistador
Conquistador - 2/22/2023, 5:42 AM
The stuff she's talking about will forever be a hot topic of discussion but i wouldn't consider her a TERF.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/22/2023, 5:43 AM
People love to preach about tolerance and acceptance but as soon as someone doesn't agree with them they quickly become intolerant and unaccepting. The bullied become the bullies.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 2/22/2023, 5:48 AM
@CorndogBurglar - I think the reason that groups are angry is because she has a platform, but fail to see she's still entitled to her own opinion on the matter.

Dam any famous person whose work they like have an opinion of their own that doesn't align with theirs.

I think the fans (or previous ones) feel betrayed because they feel some kind of ownership as they bought her books or paid to see the movies.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/22/2023, 5:57 AM
@UniqNo - Probably true on both accounts.

But the problem is people seem to forget that it's extremely important that people are allowed to have their own beliefs. You don't need to agree with what someone is saying, but everyone should be willing to fight for those people to have those beliefs. Otherwise you're just asking for a communist or dictator mentality where no one can say anything except what is allowed by our leaders.

And let's not overlook the fact that communist countries and dictatorships tend to not look kindly on LGBTQ+ people and ideals.

As for feeling betrayed? Whatever. Rowling isn't out assaulting people or committing crimes. She's saying what she believes, which is well within all of our rights. If you don't agree with her, that's fine. But the second you decide to act on that in anynway outside of debate you become the villain. Not her.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 2/22/2023, 6:27 AM
@CorndogBurglar - Yup. Cancel culture is a disease. I wonder how the human race is going to be in the next 10 years!

We're probably going to be getting offended by anyone who doesn't agree with people being a therian...oh wait i think that's already happening!
thewanderer
thewanderer - 2/22/2023, 7:44 AM
@CorndogBurglar - right. Regardless of what you think about her comments, or comments someone else may have made about any topic, or what Will Smith at the Oscars.

Typically, and sadly, the hate those people get back are 10x worse than what they actually said or did.
mountainman
mountainman - 2/22/2023, 8:10 AM
@UniqNo - Everything goes in cycles and the cultural marxism that has marked the last 10 years or so is in its dieing stages. It’ll still exist, but it will no longer have the influence on society that it has had. I really hope that we can just strike an equilibrium in these issues (tolerance but no special privileges) and there isn’t a swing hard in the other direction as has happened at other points in history.
Origame
Origame - 2/22/2023, 8:21 AM
@CorndogBurglar - funny thing is trans people are some of the most bigoted people I've ever seen.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all trans people are bigoted. But as an example, it's a popular opinion of the trans community that anyone who won't sleep with a trans person is automatically transphobic.

And I'm like, excuse me? Aren't you part of the LGBT community? You know, the social movement founded on the belief that anyone can choose to sleep with whoever they want, regardless of gender? Now we're dictating who should sleep with who through shame?
TabbiKat1331
TabbiKat1331 - 2/22/2023, 8:21 AM
@CorndogBurglar - I found more acceptance and tolerance from my conservative friends for being trans than I have from my trans "friends" for being conservative
Rosraf
Rosraf - 2/22/2023, 8:21 AM
@CorndogBurglar - Pro-tolerance = anti-anti-tolerance
TabbiKat1331
TabbiKat1331 - 2/22/2023, 8:23 AM
@Origame - i seperate the trans community into 2 groups trans activisits and trans people. Trans activists are the annoying ones that everyone sees. The rest of us would prefer to not be noticed and just live our lives in our chosen roles
Conquistador
Conquistador - 2/22/2023, 8:37 AM
@mountainman - I hope so too. But we're probably going to a WW3 so we'll finally be able to prioritse more important things. Lol...urgh I wish I was kidding.
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