JK Rowling acknowledges her 2019 'cancellation' after sharing post celebrating wedding anniversary

EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM: JK Rowling, the celebrated yet divisive author of the 'Harry Potter' series, is back making headlines about her contentious stance on transgender issues.

On Thursday, December 26, Rowling shared a post celebrating her wedding anniversary with her husband, Scottish doctor Neil Murray, which also carried an undertone of defiance toward the backlash she’s faced in recent years. 

JK Rowling jokes about 2019 'cancellation' as she highlights a troll comment

The backlash stems from JK Rowling’s outspoken views on transgender women, which have been widely criticized as transphobic by many, including LGBTQ+ advocates and spokespeople.

The controversy has led to a fracture in her relationship with 'Harry Potter' film franchise stars, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who have publicly distanced themselves from the author.

In her post, Rowling revealed a comment she had received that said, "I hope he leaves you for a trans woman." She recounted her husband’s reaction to the comment, writing, "I just read this to Neil and he said something that made me laugh so hard I nearly coughed up a kidney." 

When one of her followers asked her to disclose what Murray had said, Rowling quipped, "I’m not about to get my husband cancelled. One in the family’s enough!"

JK Rowling faced backlash after public support of gender-critical activist Maya Forstater in 2019

JK Rowling’s polarizing stance first emerged in December 2019 when she publicly supported Maya Forstater, a researcher whose contract at the Centre for Global Development was not renewed after she questioned government plans to allow people to self-identify their gender. 

Rowling announced her support for Forstater on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill."

Since then, Rowling has faced intense criticism and has been labeled a “TERF” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) by her detractors, as per The Independent.

Despite denying accusations of transphobia, the author has maintained a firm stance, stating she would rather face imprisonment than use a trans person’s preferred pronouns.

Her essay on gender identity, published on her website, outlined five reasons why she is concerned about "new trans activism." Radcliffe and Watson publicly rebuked this essay. 

Radcliffe, in an essay for The Trevor Project, apologized to the 'Harry Potter' fandom, stating he is "deeply sorry for the pain" caused by Rowling’s comments. 

Watson echoed his sentiments, writing, "I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you, and love you for who you are." She also appeared to subtly take a jab at JK Rowling during her remarks at the 2022 BAFTAs.

Perils of polarized debate surrounding trans rights

Meanwhile, the fight for trans rights has intensified globally in the face of alarming statistics.

The Trans Murder Monitoring Project reported that at least 350 transgender and gender-diverse individuals were murdered worldwide in the past year, with trans women comprising the majority of these cases. The report's findings include the killing of 13 activists.

In the UK, the conversation around trans rights has reached new levels of "toxicity," as claimed in an independent report led by Dr Hilary Cass.

The report criticized the NHS for its inadequate care of children with gender dysphoria, citing "remarkably weak" research and a lack of comprehensive mental health support. Dr Cass emphasized that the polarized debate surrounding trans rights has hindered medical and scientific progress, leaving vulnerable children in a precarious position.

Rowling described the report as "a watershed moment," framing it as validation of her concerns about the current approach to gender care.