Two of the biggest Harry Potter fan sites remove photos of JK Rowling and links to her website because of her ‘harmful and disproven beliefs’ amid ‘transphobia’ row
- The Leaky Cauldron and Mugglenet, who have 1 million followers, have issued a joint statement distancing themselves from the Harry Potter author
- The groups are the latest to speak out against the 54-year-old amid Twitter row
- It comes after J.K. Rowling published deeply personal essay in a bid to justify the views she shared on Twitter over an article about menstruation last month
Two of the biggest Harry Potter fan sites on Thursday distanced themselves from author J.K. Rowling because of her beliefs on transgender issues, calling them at odds with the message of empowerment in her best-selling books.
Websites The Leaky Cauldron and Mugglenet said they would no longer provide links to the British author’s personal website, use photos of her, or write about achievements that do not relate to the Wizarding World she created.
The joint statement by the fan sites – which have a joint total of more than one million followers on Facebook – said Rowling’s views on ‘marginalized people (are) out of step with the message of acceptance and empowerment we find in her books and celebrated by the Harry Potter community.’
‘As this fandom enters its third decade, J.K. Rowling has chosen this time to loudly pronounce harmful and disproven beliefs about what it means to be a transgender person,’ the statement reads.
JK Rowling is facing fresh criticism after two of the biggest Harry Potter fan sites have said they will no longer feature photos of the author or links to her website amid transphobic row
Both the Leaky Cauldron and Mugglenet, who have a combined following of 1 million fans on Facebook, have released a statement condemning JK Rowling’s ‘harmful and disproven beliefs’
The Potter fan sites announced they will be distancing themselves from JK Rowling only weeks after the Leaky Cauldron editor Melissa Anelli (pictured left) condemned the author on Twitter
It added: ‘Although it is difficult to speak out against someone whose work we have so long admired, it would be wrong not to use our platforms to counteract the harm she has caused.’
It follows a lengthy personal essay by Rowling last month in which she detailed her research and beliefs on transgender issues, including examples of where she thought demands by transgender activists were dangerous to women.
Rowling wrote the essay after she sparked fury in recent weeks when she reacted to an online article titled: ‘Opinion: Creating a more equal post COVID-19 world for people who menstruate’.
Backlash – a statement on the Leaky Cauldron fan site who have joined the growing number of groups distancing themselves from Harry Potter author JK Rowling amid ‘transphobia’ row
Harry Potter fan site Mugglenet joined the Leaky Cauldron in condemning comments made by author JK Rowling last month in a personal essay she published to add context to her controversial views which sparked a Twitter ‘transphobia’ row
‘People who menstruate. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’ the award-winning writer told her 14.5 million followers.
Her essay, which sought to justify her beliefs by sharing deeply personal history, was widely criticized by LGBTQ advocacy groups as divisive and transphobic.
Rowling’s seven ‘Harry Potter’ novels about a boy wizard have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide and were turned into eight blockbuster movies. She followed up with a spin-off movie franchise ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them.’
JK Rowling pictured with Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson in 2001
The fan sites are the latest groups to distance themselves from the author but spoke out against some of the backlash the author had received, adding: ‘While we don’t condone the mistreatment JKR (Rowling) has received for airing her opinions about transgender people, we must reject her beliefs.’
The row has seen several Harry Potter alumni, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as well as Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne, back the transgender community while distancing themselves from the author’s comments.
Four authors have also quit the Blair Partnership, the literary agency which represents Rowling, in protest.
Rowling’s representatives declined to comment on Friday’s statement.