The Transphobia Surrounding J.K Rowling

The Controversy

J.K Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, is the subject of criticism once again. J.K announced that her new book Troubled Blood would be out on September 15th, as the fifth book in her “Cormoran Strike novels”. The Strike series is a set of books targeted to adults, unlike some of J.K’s previous work, which were sold as Children’s books. So in order to differentiate between her children’s books and her adult novels, J.K now writes under two names; her own, and the name Robert Galbraith. But the real issue with J.K’s new novel isn’t that she writes under a pen name- it’s that it perpetuates transphobic ideas and beliefs.

To understand the controversy around this new book, you need to understand the plot of it. The book is about the detective duo, Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott who try to solve the case of Margot Bamborough, who disappeared in 1974. The villain in Troubled Blood is a “psychopathic serial killer” according to the summary on Robert Galbraith’s official promotional site. The “psychopathic serial killer” in question, a cis man by the name of Dennis Creed, lures his victims by cross-dressing as a woman, and seems to get sexual satisfaction from it.

Now this on it’s own could be considered an overused trope used in books and movies alike. One notable example of this is Silence of the Lambs (1991), which also received criticism about the harmful representation of Trans people. With the combination of this trope and J.K’s history of transphobia, it’s no wonder people are sceptical about the intentions of this character.

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J.K Rowling’s Previous Controversy surrounding Transphobia

This is not the first time one of J.K’s books has portrayed trans people in an antagonizing light either. In the book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, there is a side character named Rita Skeeter. Now while Rita isn’t explicitly described as transgender, there are many implications. Rita is described as having manly hands, and generally masculine features. Rita is a writer for the Daily Prophet, and is seen as a villainous character for twisting the truth about Harry in the media. Rita is often insulted in Harry’s mind for having more masculine features.

J.K Rowling has been known to have a Transphobic history on Twitter too, having even been called a ‘TERF’, or trans-exclusionary radical feminist. In December of 2019, J.K tweeted out in support of a researcher who lost her job after stating that someone could not change their biological sex. Then again on June 6th, 2019, Rowling responded to a tweet depicting a woman teaching about a more equal post COVID-19 world for people who menstruate, stating sarcastically that “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

Rowling then followed up the tweet, saying “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. 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 wrote. “The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women — ie, to male violence – ‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences — is a nonsense.”

Rowling concluded her thread of tweets, concluding that “‘Feminazi’, ‘TERF’, ‘bitch’, ‘witch’. Times change. Woman-hate is eternal.” While it is still up for debate whether J.K Rowling is actually transphobic or not, she has had her fair share of questionable tweets and statements.

GLAAD, a LGBTQ+ rights organization responded to JK’s tweet saying that Rowling “continues to align herself with an ideology which willfully distorts facts about gender identity and people who are trans. In 2020, there is no excuse for targeting trans people”. The Head of Talent at GLAAD, Anthony Ramos, says “Trans men, trans women and non-binary people are not a threat, and to imply otherwise puts trans people at risk. Now is the time for allies who know and support trans people to speak up and support their fundamental right to be treated equally and fairly.”

Transphobia is a big issue currently, and having representation is important, but we need to make sure that representation of Trans people in books and movies isn’t just harmful stereotypes.

Helping Hands

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How you can help

1. Like always, the best way to help is to first educate yourself on Transgender people and the issues they face in society. By educating yourself first, you will be able to educate others as well to create a more accepting and loving world

2. Donate to petitions that help Trans people

3. Go to Pride parades in support of Trans and LGBTQ+ people

4. Call people out on their transphobia, and try to better yourself and those around you

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Sources

Elizabeth Boskey, PhD. “Understanding Transphobia.” Verywell Health, 13 Sept. 2020, www.verywellhealth.com/transphobia-5077602.

Galbraith, Robert. “Troubled Blood: Latest Crime Novel By Robert Galbraith.” Robert Galbraith, 25 Aug. 2020, robert-galbraith.com/?stories=troubled-blood.

Galbraith, Robert. “Robert Galbraith's Twitter Page.” Twitter, Twitter, twitter.com/RGalbraith.

Guardian, The. “Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith Review – a Cosy Blast from the Past.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 14 Sept. 2020, www.theguardian.com/books/2020/sep/15/troubled-blood-by-robert-galbraith-review-a-cosy-blast-from-the-past.

Moreau, Jordan. “J.K. Rowling Gets Backlash Over Anti-Trans Tweets.” Variety, Variety, 7 June 2020, variety.com/2020/film/news/jk-rowling-transphobic-tweets-controversy-1234627081/.

Rowling, JK. “JK Rowling's Twitter Page.” Twitter, Twitter, twitter.com/jk_rowling.

Voytko, Lisette. “J.K. Rowling's New Book-About A Cross-Dressing Serial Killer-Draws Outrage.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 14 Sept. 2020, www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/09/14/jk-rowlings-new-book-about-a-cross-dressing-serial-killer-draws-outrage/.

Writer, PinkNews Staff, et al. “We've Read JK Rowling's New 'Cross-Dressing Serial Killer Book' and Yes, It's Just as Problematic as It Sounds.” PinkNews, 18 Sept. 2020, www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/09/16/jk-rowling-troubled-blood-serial-killer-cross-dresser-womens-underwear-plot-character/.