J.K. Rowling Examines Trans Controversy in a Forthcoming Podcast
After almost two years of making anti-trans comments, Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling is ready to speak out. She will be appearing on the new podcast called, The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling, where she will discuss the controversy.
It will be distributed by The Free Press where it will have numerous interviews with “Rowling’s supporters and critics, journalists, historians, clinicians, and more.” Set to premiere on February 21, Rowling will talk about her reaction to fans who have expressed that they feel that she has “ruined her legacy.”
JK Rowling is a billionaire children’s book author who went out of her way to be at the forefront of transphobia. She’s actively chosen this crusade against an already marginalized community, then she tries to play the victim. It’s disgusting and inexcusable. pic.twitter.com/P24a8VkkYA
— Olayemi Olurin (@msolurin) February 17, 2023
In June 2020, Rowling tweeted, “I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.” She also tweeted about an op-ed piece that she took issue with because they didn’t use the word “women.” Besides these controversial tweets, she has also spread TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) rhetoric online. She has supported people who have been accused of saying anti-trans sentiments as well.
Comments like these have allegedly led to her absence in last year’s reunion special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. In addition, this has led to some backlash with the release of the new video game, Hogwarts Legacy, which debuted in February where it features the first transgender character named Sirona Ryan. The main trio from the Harry Potter franchise, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have condemned Rowling.
Despicable.
— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) February 17, 2023
Not only did the New York Times publish the op ed defending JK Rowling the day after the GLAAD letter criticized its trans coverage…
It publicly threatened all of the trans employees and allies that signed onto that letter.
DROP the New York Times. pic.twitter.com/cqk4hpWTG8
The podcast will have seven episodes in total. In the podcast’s trailer, Rowling remarks that she’s been misunderstood. She states, “I never set out to upset anyone. However, I was not uncomfortable with getting off my pedestal.” This podcast series came about when host Megan Phelps-Roper wanted to invite Rowling in having “a personal, in-depth discussion” with her about issues that Rowling has been interested in recent years. Rowling believes that with the podcast, the two of them could have “a real, interesting, two-sided conversation that might prove constructive.”
The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling is set to launch on Tuesday, February 21. It will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other audio platforms. In the meantime, the trailer is available here.
