J.K. Rowling Continues Attacks on Trans Community, Asks “Do I get to be black if I like Motown”

It’s been almost thirty years since unknown writer J.K. Rowling changed the world with the release of her first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (AKA Sorcerer’s Stone). Four years later, that iconic book was brought to life with the 2001 film release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.

Twenty-three years later, there are a total of seven Harry Potter books, eight films, a spinoff franchise — Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them — and so much more. In 2004, J.K. Rowling even became the first author to reach billionaire status. Harry Potter and the stories that went with him became one of the most iconic franchises in history.

Credit: Max

For years, J.K. Rowling held a special place in the hearts of millions of fans. Unfortunately, that love has waned since Rowling has become very outspoken about transgender individuals. Specifically, the fact that she does not believe that transgender women are women. She has doubled down on this belief time and time again. She has even gone so far as to say that she would “happily” go to jail on charges of hate speech in order to keep speaking out against the trans community.

Before, Rowling would keep her comments general, attacking the trans community as a whole. However, she has shocked many by recently targeting someone she doesn’t know at all.

Credit: Universal

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Lucy Clark is a well-respected soccer referee, who also happens to be a transgender woman. She is the first transgender referee to call games for England women’s soccer’s third tier. She made history, but Rowling did not celebrate her for breaking barriers. Instead, Rowling sent out a sarcastic tweet about soccer referees being middle-aged white men.

When I was young all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged blokes, so it’s fantastic to see how much things have changed. 

When I was young all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged blokes, so it's fantastic to see how much things have changed. https://t.co/jx9zp0hRyU

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 11, 2024

Related: Beloved ‘Harry Potter’ Star Calls His Performance “Mediocre”

Fans of the author were disgusted by Rowling’s tweet. They reminded her that Ms. Clark was a real person who had done absolutely nothing to Rowling and did not deserve to be so cruelly targeted simply for being a trans woman.

Awww look at you directing a pile on onto a human who’s done absolutely nothing to you other than sit within your target of hatred… you must be endlessly proud of how you treat other human beings, right? What a way to crown your career. Pitiful what you’ve descended into

Awww look at you directing a pile on onto a human who’s done absolutely nothing to you other than sit within your target of hatred… you must be endlessly proud of how you treat other human beings, right? What a way to crown your career. Pitiful what you’ve descended into

— Stuzi 🐝🐝 (@stuzi_pants) May 11, 2024

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As in the past, Rowling did not back down. Instead, she sent another tweet saying that she was not wrong for calling a man a man and said that it was not bullying.

Calling a man a man is not ‘bullying’ or ‘punching down.’ Crossdressing straight men are currently one of the most pandered-to demographics in existence, and women are under no obligation to applaud the people caricaturing us.

Calling a man a man is not 'bullying' or 'punching down.' Crossdressing straight men are currently one of the most pandered-to demographics in existence, and women are under no obligation to applaud the people caricaturing us.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2024

Rowling then went a step further, asking if she could say she was black because she likes “Motown” and “cornrows.”

Does this apply to any other demographic, Landon? Do I get to be black if I like Motown and fancy myself in cornrows? What if I claim the authentic me has always been black and that you’re being racist to me? Would that be OK, or would you find it ludicrous and deeply offensive?

Does this apply to any other demographic, Landon? Do I get to be black if I like Motown and fancy myself in cornrows? What if I claim the authentic me has always been black and that you're being racist to me? Would that be OK, or would you find it ludicrous and deeply offensive?

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2024

HBO is developing a new Harry Potter series, and Rowling will serve as an executive producer. However, HBO is not heavily promoting the series. In fact, HBO is trying to avoid discussing Rowling because it knows how controversial she is. Until the series comes out, we will not know if Rowling’s involvement will affect its success.

The new series — which will span ten seasons — is expected to be released in 2026.

Do you think J.K. Rowling should be a part of any Harry Potter projects going forward? Let us know in the comments!