Perhaps Not Everyone Dislikes J.K. Rowling After All
J.K. Rowling has faced extensive backlash from the media and various celebrities after publicly stating her views on gender identity, which many interpreted as transphobic. Despite criticism, she maintained her stance, emphasizing that acknowledging biological sex is essential and does not equate to trans hatred. Her comments drew responses from “Harry Potter” film stars like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who openly disagreed with her, aligning themselves with transgender rights and inclusivity.
The media has continued to spotlight the controversy, with some stating that it has affected the public’s perception of the “Harry Potter” series. Meanwhile, a play titled “TERF,” which criticizes Rowling’s views on gender, faced difficulties in casting, particularly finding actresses willing to participate. This resistance suggests that, despite the prevalent criticism, there is significant support for Rowling or at least a reluctance to publicly confront her views in a theatrical setting. The term TERF itself, standing for “trans-exclusionary radical feminist,” is used derogatorily in this context, highlighting the tension and division her opinions have sparked. Despite significant backlash from some quarters, the difficulty in casting for the play criticizing her suggests that Rowling retains a considerable amount of support or at least that the issue remains deeply divisive.
To hear the media tell it, the world hates J.K. Rowling.
Ever since she stated her opinion on radical Left-wing gender theory, which happened to be different from the other members of the ruling class’s political party, Rowling has become a target of their vitriol. The best-selling “Harry Potter” author wasn’t like other celebrities who dabbled in dissent, however. Instead of backing down from her stance on trans acceptance, she doubled down.
“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,” Rowling shared in a tweet in 2020.
“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—i.e., to male violence—‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences—is a nonsense.”
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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
That stance has been impactful for both fans who agree and disagree with her. Several prominent stars from the “Harry Potter” films spoke out against the woman behind the stories that made them internationally known.
In 2020, Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular star, wrote an essay for The Trevor Project and apologized for “the pain” Rowling’s comments may have caused transgender identifying individuals, as The Daily Wire previously reported.
“Transgender women are women,” the actor wrote in the essay. “Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional healthcare associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo [Rowling] or [me].”
Actress Emma Watson (who played Hermione in the movies) also shared her thoughts on X. “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” she wrote. “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.”
The media has been setting off attacks against Rowling ever since. They disparaged her and claimed fans were abandoning her, and the beloved “Harry Potter” series, in droves.
“Harry Potter Magic Fades When Creator Tweets,” an NPR article declared.
“Harry Potter and the Author Who Failed Us,” a Vox story echoed.
No doubt the “first billion-dollar author” has received backlash online and beyond. But according to a new report, 90 actresses refused to participate in a play allegedly criticizing her, so Rowling must not be as hated as everyone claims she is.
🎭 A play that criticises JK Rowling’s views on gender is struggling to cast women with 90 actresses so far rejecting parts.
Read more here ⬇️https://t.co/Iwmz1gaH4h pic.twitter.com/9MyPhj5ZZm
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 13, 2024
The play in question is called “TERF” and it’s scheduled to run at the Sir Ian McKellen Theatre in Edinburgh from August 2 through August 25. The acronym “TERF” is used as a derogatory term and stands for “trans-exclusionary radical feminist.” Since making the series of tweets, Rowling has become the most well-known of the accused TERFs.
“This project has met some kind of resistance every step of the way, though I’ve been generally surprised by how difficult it has been for us to recruit the female cast in particular,” creative producer Barry Church-Woods told the Telegraph of the play, according to a previous report from The Daily Wire.
“I think it’s fair to say that a few things are coming into play in casting,” he continued.
A description of the production says, “Jo led a blessed life. Literary phenomenon. Cultural icon. And beloved. Completely beloved … until everything went to hell in a broombasket. Now, Jo’s surrogate children – Daniel, Rupert, and Emma – have had enough. It’s time for an intervention.”
TERF’s creative producer and founder of live arts company We Are Civil Disobedience Barry Church-Woods told PinkNews, “It’s been very tricky casting this show, I think first in part because they’re actually quite iconic roles to take on, but definitely because there’s been a very vocal misinformed backlash to the project since we announced it early 2024.”
“Rowling has also become such a beacon for the issue that we’re dealing daily with the enraged ‘anti-woke’ armies of Breitbart and Fox News. It’s a lot of noise to come up against, and I imagine is quite daunting for anyone who is reading the vitriolic backlash right now,” he added.
“I think there may also be a couple of other factors affecting the casting of the roles,” Church-Woods said.
Another idea posited for the lack of interest involves a “Harry Potter” television show that is rumored to be in production, which the stars’ talent agents could have their sights on. Being involved in the play could ruin their chances to be cast, the outlet noted.
The self-identified “queer” screenwriter Joshua Kaplan previously said the project isn’t a direct attack on Rowling. He claimed the play’s focus “is on relationships and how Rowling’s opinions have evolved” but is not “interrogating the substance of her opinions.”
“I hope the audience will walk out not with a message but a question. I want people to walk out saying, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have put that on Twitter the other day,’” he said.
Church-Woods agreed that the play isn’t meant to be a negative statement on Rowling. “It’s ironic that the reporting of this project so far has focused on how the show is critical of Rowling,” he told PinkNews. “Yet we’ve never actually said it is. No-one has read the script yet apart from us and our legal team, and yet still they all hold strong opinions about it.”
Whether the questions raised in the play are explicitly or implicitly directed at Rowling’s stance on the trans agenda is irrelevant. The fact remains that if 90 stars looking for work aren’t interested in taking on the play, there’s a good chance that Rowling isn’t the villain she’s been portrayed as, despite the mainstream media desperately trying to convince us all otherwise.
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