J.K. Rowling Faces Backlash After Saying ‘There Are No Trans Kids’

J.K. Rowling is facing backlash for her controversial views on transgender issues, including recent claims that “there are no trans kids.”

Due to her remarks, the author has found herself at the center of another social media storm months after being slammed for her remarks about boxer Imane Khelife.

Despite J.K. Rowling’s remarks, HBO has defended her role in the upcoming “Harry Potter” series, stating that her creative input is invaluable.

Rowling has faced backlash in recent years for her outspoken views on gender and women’s rights, and now the “Harry Potter” author has once again sparked controversy with her recent remarks, asserting that “there are no trans kids” and dismissing the idea that individuals can be born in the wrong body.

In a post on X, Rowling responded to a critic accusing her of “hateful focus on trans kids,” writing: “There are no trans kids. No child is ‘born in the wrong body.'”

She doubled down: “There are only adults like you, prepared to sacrifice the health of minors to bolster your belief in an ideology that will end up wreaking more harm than lobotomies and false memory syndrome combined.”

Rowling’s statement triggered a wave of reactions from all over X (formerly Twitter).

Supporters thanked the author for defending what they saw as the well-being of children, with one user writing: “‘Thank you for being a strong voice in protecting children.”

Another commented, “Thank you for using your voice and popularity to bring light to truth and rescue children from life-altering mistakes.”

However, not everyone agreed with Rowling’s statement, as several on the social media platform criticized her stance.

One critic sarcastically questioned her authority on the subject, commenting, “You’re also a medical expert. Didn’t know that. This thing that everyone famous for anything feels the urge to act as an expert of something else… makes me crazy!”

Another person noted: “Didn’t realize my partner doesn’t exist! i guess she never was a trans kid like, seriously. What do you say to the many people who transitioned younger and are living happy lives now ?”

One more person said, “I recall hearing Margaret Thatcher say this very thing back in the late 80s about gays and lesbians. What a way to use your voice and platform. Have you ever considered actually caring about women? You’ve aligned yourself with some of the worst misogynists instead. Unconscionable”

Earlier this year, Rowling shared that former colleagues who had distanced themselves from her in public due to her views on transgender issues privately reached out to “check they were still friends.”

The author has been vocal about her opposition to terms like “people who menstruate,” describing such phrases and words as “cis” as rooted in ideology.

Despite her controversial stance, Rowling had earlier maintained that she supports the transgender community. According to the Daily Mail, In June 2020, she revealed that she “loved trans people” but noted that “erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives.”

However, ever since, Rowling has only become more and more critical of Trans people and gender-affirming surgeries.

In August this year, she sparked fury online after commenting on Algerian boxer Imane Khelife, who participated in the women’s 66 kg (welterweight) boxing event at the 2024 Olympics and won the gold medal.

Rowling caught flack after calling the boxer, who had been previously disqualified from another competition for not meeting gender eligibility rules, a “male who knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment.”

Khelife has since filed a lawsuit with French authorities, in which she named Rowling and Elon Musk for their alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment.”

Last month, HBO stood by Rowling after she faced intense criticism over her views on transgender issues.

The network received many complaints about Rowling’s role as executive producer of the upcoming “Harry Potter” TV series.

In a statement to Variety, the network responded: “We are proud to once again tell the story of ‘Harry Potter’ – the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement.”

Despite HBO’s defense, the project has drawn mixed reactions. Some fans criticized the adaptation as “unnecessary,” while others threatened to boycott the series over Rowling’s controversial remarks.

In an interview with Newsweek, Evan Nierman, CEO of PR firm Red Banyan, discussed the value of Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO, supporting Rowling.

He noted, “By publicly supporting J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. is investing in a colossally creative and successful author, as opposed to taking a public stance on the controversial transgender topic.”

Meanwhile, cultural analyst and writer Areej Shaikh suggested that while Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) support of Rowling may reflect a shift in how companies approach cancel culture, it doesn’t signify a victory for Rowling in the broader cultural debate.

“This decision indicates a change toward more publicly endorsing contentious personalities when their creative influence is valued, but it does not necessarily mean Rowling has ‘won’ the cultural war,” she said.

Shaikh also noted that the studio “seems to be putting the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise’s cultural and financial history ahead of the divisive controversy” plaguing Rowling.

“This strategy implies that instead of adopting clear-cut positions, firms may now be navigating cancel culture with a higher emphasis on striking a balance between public opinion and creative contribution,” the analyst concluded.