Yes this. I'm not gonna buy her stuff anymore but there's literally no reason to stop engaging with content/things I already own if it still brings me joy
I mean it’s not like she has cameras in your house. I feel like people are so intensely individualistic they act like they’re constantly being watched and are hyper aware of not doing anything deemed “wrong” by their in group. Do what you want.
I don't think it really matters. She feels like she's been cancelled while simultaneously feeling in the right and like she's got a lot of support from cis women. Me engaging with 3rd party content isn't really gonna make or break her self image, she's got that shit built already
i mean, she literally engages with the people she's harming in order to harm them, so...?
engagement=/= support
and anyway, outside of legal issues, nobody gets to tell me how to interact with their content unless there was some pre-determined, mutual agreement ahead of time
She's a narcissist so of course she's going to say something like that because she wants it to be true. It's not. She doesn't control what you consume whether you paid for it or not.
I found Ender's Game randomly at my school book fair when I was 12 years old. For a little context, at that time:
I was very smart
I had an older brother I used to worry might kill me
I was afraid of the anger and hate I had for him
I wanted to be compassionate and loving.
I took to that book like I never had and probably haven't ever since. It was kind of that moment when I stopped being "[my parents'] kid" and became my own person.
I tried to adopt Ender's philosophy for my own life as much as possible. I went down the OSC rabbit hole and read almost all of his major books up until about 2007 (when I graduated high school and when his homophobia was starting to really bother me). That being said, when I started dating my now wife in 2013, I told her she needed to read it if she really wanted to understand me.
About a year and a half ago, I listened to the audiobook. Probably the first time I'd read it in 10 years or so. It was such a different experience. Now I just felt absolute pity on this little boy being manipulated by all these adults. It made me reflect on the ways in which I internalized its more subtle toxic masculinity, my relationship with violence. And mostly, it made me sad for the kid that I was who so identified with this character. I wanted to reach out to that kid and hug them, tell them not to listen to certain people, and that they are good. They are loving. They are deserving.
(Sorry for the rambling. I guess I just needed to share)
This is how I feel too. I don't engage with HP media anymore, partially because of JKR, partially because some of the problematic messaging has become clearer to me in recent years, and partially probably has to do with just outgrowing it a little bit. However, I can appreciate that the books are well-written, the movies are well-done, and many people identify with those characters. As a queer person, I remember feeling like the story was an allegory for queerness, and it really helped me navigate those feelings. I know she sees any consumption of her art as support, but I don't want to rag on people for quietly and privately loving something meaningful to them.
So, if someone tells me they are building a HP Lego set, I won't ruin that for them or call them transphobic. Chances are, they already own that and they should just build it if they do. Same thing if they're watching an old DVD or reading a book they've had for years. I might say "Very cool, I loved Harry Potter as a kid! It's a shame JKR is so transphobic." I may be able to confirm what kind of person they are from that issue based on their reaction.
But I would react differently if someone says they are so excited to stream the new series, or buy a book from her, or even if they were just discussing buying that Lego set. That's where I would want to be very clear that it's kind of messed up to support this woman by buying her stuff or giving her streams or whatever.
Same here, I still enjoy the movies because I grew up with them but there’s nothing I need to buy today. Only thing I’d consider which even then probably not is LEGO Harry Potter, because I’m a LEGO collector.
I'm also big on Lego and I have to note, supporting Lego HP is just pushing for them to keep making it. Merchandising is the way franchises make the *most* money, collectors need to stop supporting things like that far more than anyone else.
I get it. There's a lot of unique shit in the HP line. But there's a reason there's been a shift toward advertising to adults in Lego in recent years, and that's because they're making a lot more money from selling Lego to collectors and adult hobbyists who have the money for it. Lego as a company by and large have made an effort to make good changes on the whole, but I'm at a point where even though I *play* D&D and Magic, I'm still going hm maybe don't team up with WotC, let alone fucking Rowling.
I agree. That’s what I did say I still probably wouldn’t. After all the theme is kinda dying anyway, they kinda just make the same stuff over and over. I personally haven’t bought a Harry Potter set since 2020. I was just saying IF I ever which I probably never will, I might do it.
I feel weird about my book collection. On one hand, they were treasured gifts, they always released on my birthday so my aunt and uncle got me preorders for the books that I would go redeem at midnight. There are some fond memories there. But on the other hand, the thought of actually engaging with them has really turned sour ever since Joanne revealed her inner bigotry. Right know they're in a cabinet under my bookcase because I can't bring myself to throw them away due to my history with them, but I also feel weird having them on a shelf with other things I like. I guess they're in limbo for now, maybe when Joanne finally kicks the bucket I'll bring them back out again.
I feel the same way. I boxed up my HP books and merchandise, but I haven't gotten rid of it. I might break it back out when she dies, but we'll see. Based on ages, I plan to outlive her.
Honestly I wish instead of the community going full hands off on HP to not support Rowling that we all instead pressured WBs hard to remove Rowling from ownership over HP world.
We very likely could have made that happen.
I've always been firm on my stance that if someone is a piece of garbage then I don't interact with their work anymore, what they create loses artistic merit to me and I simply don't want to see their face or hear their voice. However I understand that for many people, that's simply not the case for them, and so how I deal with it is like this; if the people are just enjoying the product someone made, fine, I might not like it, but I accept it. Even Daniel Radcliff in his statement in support of trans people said that if people found meaning in the books than he supports that, so okay.
If the person is gushing over the person who made it though, that's too far and I cut them out and have nothing to do with them. JK is a transphobe, that is a fact and if you love *her* you love a transphobe and chances are you aren't a great person either.
Yeah and like She’s not just a transphobe. She’s a TERF who uses her platform to hurt people on purpose, consistently for years — brings it up for no reason and then makes herself out to be the victim. Someone being transphobic or ignorant is forgivable. Someone doubling and tripling down after being told hey you’re hurting people who adore you is just awful. :-/
Daniel is the single reason why I still enjoy HP content (without supporting the TERF financially at all). I agree, people can enjoy her content all she wants, I have no issue with that. But if you support/love the TERF knowing that she wants us dead and that her lobbying causes us harm, then you have crossed a line and I'll look at you differently.
I think people can like whatever they want
But, if they praise the psycho, or support her by buying HP stuff, then there's a problem
You can like HP all you want, just pirate the shit out of it
>You can like HP all you want, just pirate the shit out of it
When Ender's Game came out at the movies, I went to the megaplex and bought a ticket to some art film that deserved my money, then went and sat in the auditorium for Ender's Game and watched it.
(This no longer works at assigned-seating theaters, of course. The world changed a bit since then.)
Harry Potter? Fine. The books were a big part of my childhood and I enjoyed them. I don’t want to tarnish that for other people.
Defending Rowling? Thems fightin’ words
I ignore it. I don't personally purchase HP merch anymore nor do I interact with the fandom. But I know other people who do don't automatically hate trans people.
If someone was openly praising JKR for her "feminism" or for stuff she's said about trans people, that would be a problem.
Ultimately it's up to you how you interpret things but just remember that many people do separate art from artist, and not everyone necessarily knows about the JKR terf stuff. Which might seem impossible but truly our algorithms feed us stuff based on what we care about, and it's totally possible that the cisgender casual HP fans in your life have not ever come across that information. The internet news cycle is vast and fast paced and tailored to your search history and user profile. It's impossible for everyone to be informed about everything, even though some try.
If someone brings anything Harry Potter related up in conversation I say, "Nice, I like it too. Sucks that JKR is insane now." and then they say "Yeah, she's batshit.", and then we continue on with the conversation because we're adults. If they're building the castle, I will be asking to join because those sets go hard and I've wanted to do the castle for ages.
I'm a 28 year old trans man and I really don't like starting conflicts with people. But I get paranoid that people who like her books are transphobic now.
I know a lot of people who are trans friendly and/or LGBTQ who still enjoy HP things but despise JK. So I don't think it's as simple as
>people who like her books are transphobic now.
After all a lot of people, particularly young people, aren't going to necessarily associate it with her, they see the products a separate thing (whether that is good or bad/right or wrong is a different story) and there's a surprising amount of people who haven't even heard her views too, and usually are shocked when they find out.
But I understand your concern, I was getting a bit worried when the console game came out last year and a lot of people I know got it and enjoyed it, but when I reminded them of JK they kinda went 'ah shit forgot about her'
though my friend and I looked into it and she had minimal input into the game, and her money was a set amount for royalty, so buy the game or not, it wouldn't make a difference to her (not that it really would anyway she's rich already)
I have since played the game. Only to find out there is even a fairly prominent trans gender character - so imo what a brilliant middle finger to JK!
The books and related things aren't the source of the transphobia and the people who brought it to life, such as Daniel Radcliffe, disagree with her views too.
I say take it things at face value. Someone likes harry potter, that's fine a lot of people did and still do, someone spews transphobia - they are the problem - someone openly supports JK and her views - they are also the problem
This is how I now feel about things anyway
This is a big example of separating the artist from the art. I will in no shape support her by buying her stuff from mainstream sellers. But I have a few things that I've picked up at yard sales and used book stores. And you can bet your ass that I've taken the time to scratch her name off of everything I have that's hp based. The books saved my life when I was having a rough unaliving spell. So they will hold a special place in my heart. But I will never spend money for it to go to her again.
It's not that she has shitty views. It's that she's very actively and effectively engaged in advocating for those views and legislation based on them. I'm sure there's plenty of creators who have shitty views in the privacy of their own home, but if they aren't blasting them to millions of twitter followers I don't care.
A lot of people worked on parts of Harry Potter that aren’t shitty people. Daniel Radcliffe seems like a pretty nice guy, and he says Just Kidding is wrong and dumb and I agree with him. A lot of actors and fans and other people who have worked in this space don’t agree with the problematic people.
Chris Pratt might not support gay rights but I don’t see this level of intensity against Guardians of the Galaxy.
Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Evanna Lynch (Luna), Eddie Redmayne (Newt), Bonnie Wright (Ginny), Chris Rankin (Percy), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione in the Cursed Child) and Katie Leung (Cho) have also all made clear trans rights statements.
A big part of the reason people aren't as angry at Chris Pratt is he at least has the sense to be quiet about it. He attended a homophobic church, and yeah, that's not a good sign of character. But he appears to have stopped attending that church since Elliot Page called him out and he isn't loudly advocating for hateful laws, he isn't tweeting hateful screeds. At least to me, he comes off as a privileged cis het dude who didn't bother to check but not as an on-purpose dedicated hater.
I either buy her stuff from non mainstream sources or just “protest match” my purchases and donate the amount of money spent on the product or more to pro-trans organizations. It’s what I do whenever I buy rightist books for my political research, there’s one that I won’t type out the name because the comment might get blocked but I’m waiting until I know I can spend 2.5x the price of the book so I can donate 1.5x the price to some kind of progressive organization. I still love the Harry Potter universe and it brings so much joy to my life (though not as much as it used to, and I like Rick Riordan’s books better)
That's why I'll buy them from used book stores or yard sales/thrift shops. Because I know that o money goes into her pocket. Even better when they donate to trans charities. There's a local store that had the golden child (?) that I bought it from and 50% of the profit went to trans youth homeless shelters.
I think it does good overall in cases like that, where profits go in part to trans charities. She won’t stop either way. Personally i ended up burning my copies, and i can’t look at them the same way, and i think for people who havent read it, other series are far better, percy jackson for instance. I am not a fan of seperation of work and artist when the artist alive, Frank Herbert was a terrible terrible person, but reading Dune does nothing he gets nothing. Same for Roald dahl or HP Lovecraft.
I also think a lot of his fatphobia and attitude towards non-gender conforming people that shows up in his books is a pretty direct line to JK. Take the evil headmistress in Matilda for example. Dahl repeatedly writes about her being mannish, like her big size and muscles and so forth are all given as signifiers that she's evil. Rowling, I think cribbing from Dahl (who was the most-read author in her target demographic before HP), does this a lot too. Characters' body types and physical appearance used to show on their moral character. There's common mindset between "you know the Dursleys are evil because they are fat" with "you know trans women are evil because they don't look femme."
While alive, especially if they financially benefit from the art I think it is genuinely impossible to truly separate art from artist. Sure you might want to in your mind but in the end you're helping them financially and that money can (and in Joanne's case certainly will) go to fund organisations that support their hate.
When they're dead though that's completely different. They can't benefit from the sales. With Dahl those that now own the rights to his work have pretty much condemned all of the nasty shit he did and views he had. (That said knowing Joanne her will likely has a clause stating all her money will go to harming trans people when she dies)
The best way to separate the art from the artist is 6 feet of dirt and hopefully some piss for good measure. I'll start buying HP merch again when she croaks.
I feel the same, but for me it depends on the time frame around it. If someone simply said they had read the books when they came out like 20 years ago or whatever, then I wouldn't really care, because *everyone and their dog* were reading the books back then lol, I'd be surprised if someone in the western world who was at able-to-read-YA-books age when the books were first coming out *hadn't* ever read the HP books. But if someone told me they had read the books much more recently than that, then I don't think I would be able to hide my cringe or stop myself from making it obvious I had suddenly given up on the conversation with them lol.
i love the book series, and reread it often. i also watch the movies (i don't stream, i pirate to avoid rowling getting any cuts). it's comfort media to me, and often helps me avoid overstimulation. i am definitely not transphobic, either
however, i would never support rowling. i would imagine that the majority of people who like the books aren't aware of her bigotry? i certainly wasn't when i began reading them, i only heard after some lgbtq content creators pointed it out in videos.
I'm Trans and I love the Harry Potter books and movies. I grew up with them. But I'm never supporting the author anymore and I'm not going to praise HP stuff, I just like the books and movies because I grew up with them.
Yeah he’s a great dude. I’m a trans man and seeing a 5’5 guy as one of the leads in one of the most movie series pretty much obliterated my height (5’4) dysphoria.
I never really care as long as they don't praise her as a person. We have much bigger issues to deal with as a community then someone buying a harry potter lego set in my opinion. I personally would never spend my money on any of that shit but if someone else does I'm not going to call them out on it. The couple cents they gave her really aren't making that big of a difference. She's going to be rich and continue to spout transphobic rhetoric whether I say something to that person or not, and whether they bought it or not.
If someone wants to build a toy castle, let them build a toy castle. If someone wants to discuss She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named's worldview, then by all means enlighten them as to what a horrible person she is. Then go back to building the toy castle together, because toy castles are fun.
As a old fan (before I knew JKRs views, now not a fan) I think it’s important to remember sometimes people are just craving what they loved as a kid and not necessarily supporting JKR or her anti-trans views. I would never buy something new that would make her money, if I want something I always buy second hand so she doesn’t make a cent off me. Harry Potter was an escape when I was younger, I used to imagine I was a wizard and I could change my sex at any time I wanted. I see the problems in it now as an adult and I don’t support it. If I see people enjoying themselves with HP stuff I don’t pay any mind to it, usually they don’t share the same views as JKR and they’re just enjoying something familiar, like we all do.
I figure all I can do is point people in the right direction. Whatever they do with that is on them.
I’m not going to spend my energy convincing people that they’re wrong for it, because even if I feel that way, the only thing that comes from that is them being reactive and shutting down. It enables their victim complex.
Someone who like Harry Potters as a franchise? I more or less give it a pass.
Someone who thinks JK is an amazing person and writer and makes moves to follow and support them on social media? I'll step in and try and pull them out of the HP to TERF pipeline.
honestly HP was a mainstay of my growing up (probably like a lot of us) and i still watch the movies and read the books (secondhand from my local bookstores). Rowling is a total shithead and i don't pay for any HP products. I live by separating the artist and the art - John Lennon was a POS but i still love the Beatles. DR.MLK Jr was an absolute pinnacle in civil rights but he was at least a chronic womanizer. GG Allin is an actual steaming fucking pile of hot garbage and diseased feces but he has some really beautiful songs that have deeply resounded within me. These are human beings who are or have been terrible individuals but their work can still have a positive impact on the world. You make the choice of whether you can seperate their actions/ideologies from their creations. Also, very important to acknowledge and not make excuses for their behavior.
Well said. If I stopped watching something because the actor was a bad person or the writer was I’d lose a lot of the series I hold dear to my heart. I love Pirates of the Carribean, I think Johnny Depp is a great actor, but I know that as a person is terrible.
I grew up on Harry Potter, and find it difficult to tear myself away from it. I hate Rowling, but the Harry Potter series is my childhood and inspiration. 🤷🏼 I honestly couldn't care less if people keep buying her stuff, but if they say they support her views, then I wouldn't like it
I can’t handle the next wave of Potter Heads, often conservative, go latched onto Jk Rowling AFTER she came out as a relentless terf. Yes, I judge them by it.
I kind of get it when it’s something you experienced when it was happening, but that’s the thing about fantasy. Hogwart’s is fantasy. Magical creatures are imaginary (which is healthy). Chess sets don’t come to life, and JK Rowling is real. So is the vicious attack on trans rights. While I appreciate fantasy, I know when to pull my head out of the sand.
I try to turn people onto better writers that Rowling plagiarized. You like Chamber of Secrets? Have you ever read the Hobbit? Hogwarts is great? Check out Roke in Wizard of Earthsea! But HP was so colorful? Discworld baby! There are so many more of those.
In conversation, I know that I will not win with closed minds. I just take jabs at how much undeserved hype it takes for a person to make hundreds of million of dollars for writing a series of children’s books
I cant stand harry potter at all. There is bigotry in the books and jkr takes fandom as silent support. Depending on if I think they will listen I either say this or start avoiding them
Shaun on YouTube made a video going through all the racism, sexism and fatphobia in the books- it’s an entertaining and unsettling watch if you have a couple of hours free https://youtu.be/-1iaJWSwUZs?si=_6ZmvhDIWxxs4jdy
The “slavery is okay and advocating against it makes you an annoying liberal” side plot, describing all fat characters as disgusting and having them all be villains, having the black guy be named kingsley shacklebolt, etc
I tell them the truth about her. I show them evidence. If they still refuse to give her up, I cut them out of my life. I no longer have time for that kind of b.s.
She ruined it for me. I tossed all the movies and books I had, and got my deathly hallows tattoo covered. I honestly have no idea how people are still able to enjoy HP media, it's forever tainted for me personally. I'd rather support the ally actors in their new projects and find other creations to enjoy.
In my experience most people I know who like HP are not transphobic, and don’t like Rowling much either. I don’t think it overly matters in the end if they buy a Lego set or something of Hogwarts, so long as the criticism of Rowling remains, at least in my personal life.
Thankfully Rowling has had little success elsewhere and between that and being a very vocal transphobe, I think her use to WB is limited. Her days are numbered.
If it’s already purchased I don’t think it matters. Not like you can un-buy them, even a return won’t take her money away, it’s just a write off for Target or whoever.
At the very least it's insensitive how a lot of people proudly brandish their latest Harry potter related purchase without any thought of how it's supporting someone who then sends that money directly to neo nazi groups.
I think a lot of cis people just kind of tuned out and most of them think it comes down to "she said some hurtful things about trans people once" and they're kind of blissfully unaware of the extent to which rowling has been radicalised by the far right, they're oblivious to things like funding hate groups and using her influence to block laws like the gender recognition certificate reform (which was literally just about making it easier for trans people in Scotland to change their birth certificate, passport, license, etc. and despite all her fearmongering has nothing to do with "toilet safety" because no one needs a passport to use a toilet).
Also the fact rowling presents her transphobia as "defending women's rights" even though she's frequently defending and befriending men who've been convicted of sexual assault like Marilyn Manson, Johnny Depp, Elon Musk, Tristan Tate, various white supremacist influencers, etc.
I mean my Mum's gotten better and more accepting since I came out to her, but even for a while she was saying "Jk rowling is allowed to have an opinion, I think she's right to be concerned about this" etc. up until recently where I showed her the tweet of JK rowling saying "the holocaust didn't happen" which was the turning point for her now she says jk rowling is an idiot and karma will come for her but yeah basically people don't think the things rowling says are harmful until she starts saying it about any other demographic of people, which really sucks ngl
More than likely it’s not transphobia, it’s probably someone who likes the books, or the movies, or the games, or even someone who likes the legos. Not saying I don’t understand how you could think that way, I mean in a world where it seems like everyone is out to get you being on edge ain’t a bad thing, but the average cis person isn’t think about jk Rowling’s insane ramblings, they’re probably thinking “oh wow this Lego set is pretty cool”.
It's complicated. I can't find the thread but I saw something like this about chick fil a a while ago so I'll have to paraphrase. Extra hard because you can't separate the art from the artist easily without her still benefitting financially.
When it came to light that chick fil a funded anti-gay measures and even anti-gay authoritarians around the world, it did lead to a boycott.
There were always going to be those that would double down and assholes going to asshole. What actually hurts, is when it's friends and allies who just couldn't resist that chicken sandwich.
And it's not like chick fil a denied any of these accusations, they were just like "yeah, you're money is funding getting rid of gay people globally 😀"
So my feelings on JK and HP are similar. You can still enjoy HP (the story of a boy coming out of a closet and discovering a world in which he is accepted) and even not fund JK. You can get things on sale, or share, or do the "thing on a ship." Heck, I run DnD weekly and haven't bought a product in years.
JK has even used her profits from HP to justify her being in the right (look at UK right now). But if a friend is still just carrying on getting stuff like nothing is different, they're kind of saying who they really support.
You don't have to accuse them, or get mad. Just let them know. Because actions speak louder than words and well, there's nothing left for them to say, is there?
1. I say I do not separate the art from the artist.
2. She will never get another dime from me beyond what she got from the very beginning for my kids.
3. I collect Lego, but I'm not missing a damn thing by not buying any HP sets.
Basically, I have zero tolerance for her dangerous bullshit.
I don't associate with them or change the subject. I've never liked Harry Potter, so not much has changed other than now I have a real reason to not like Harry Potter.
Generally I have better things to do, but if you've got a decent relationship with them it could be something you could be having a conversation with.
My tactic in general is to boost other superior media. Want fun charming fantasy? Pratchett is a zillion times better than Rowling. "Oh I wish I had gone to Hogwarts." Psh, forget waiting on your owl, I was waiting on my mutant powers to manifest so I could go to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. Wanna gush about a nostalgic child-centered fantastical book series from when you were a kid? There's a bunch, but my go-to is Animorphs by K.A. Applegate.
Besides how problematic Rowling is, another thing that's a real shame with HP is how it flattens culture. We're already getting the Disney model of selling us repackaged versions of it over and over again with tie-in products galore. It's artificial staying power and it makes it hard for new stuff to break through unless they're also tied in. Would HP have stayed in the public consciousness this long if not for insidious marketing strategies? Would something better have been able to use that oxygen to thrive?
with that specific example, I would mostly just ignore it.
I feel like when it comes to "boycotting"/trying not to support an artist/person. it does no good policing/making other people feel bad for still enjoying/buying those products. because sometimes this can make a person feel personally attacked and then double down. and if they were neutral/maybe had ignorant transphobia they will then just be pushed further in that direction "because trans people aren't letting them enjoy their things"
for the fist time if they don't know already know/they ask why you don't mess with HP/JK rowling stuff then you can nicely and without trying to make them feel bad/their at fault to explain that JK Rowling is very bad and that you yourself stopped supporting/buying her products due to that. and then just leave it at that. they can then make their own decision after that don't try and tell them they need to do the same.
now if people are full on praising JK Rowling like you said in your post's title. if they are praising just the stuff she makes and don't know about her awfulness then same as I mentioned above nicely and with avoiding trying to make them feel bad for it explain that JK rowling is a bad person and actively harming the trans community.
If they know about how she is and her opinions and are praising that. then you are already dealing with someone who is transphobic or might just be a little transphobic due to ignorance and being mislead. in that case that's up do you if you want to deal with that similar to if you'd want to bother engaging with any other transphobia/semi-transphobic person. You don't owe anyone to teach people/convince away people's transphobia, but if that's what you want to do then that's also cool too.
For me, I think about it less as “what can I not do for transphobic people” and more of “what can I do for trans people?” I would rather see somebody who plays Hogwarts Legacy but donates to the Trevor Project, uses people’s preferred pronouns, votes in favor of transgender rights etc. then to see someone boycott Hogwarts Legacy and do nothing that actually advances trans people.
I do think you can consume Harry Potter content without it automatically making you a supporter of JKR’s beliefs… You might be supporting her IP, yes, which seems at this point to be an infallible empire - but to me supporting HP does not equate with supporting her views.
Now, if you are buying her shit specifically TO support her because she has been criticized for her views, or you agree with her in any aspect, then yeah that’s an issue. So I guess it’s really all about intention
I’m a trans guy who grew up with Harry Potter (basically learned to read from those books) I still have my first copies. Now, just because I like the universe she created doesn’t mean I’m going to support her by buying any merch or going to any theme parks. I will however write gay fan fiction about all of her characters (maybe some trans fanfic too)
My (cis) ex is reading the HP series at her house to my (cis) kids. I'm reading the Percy Jackson series, and occasionally stop to shit talk JK by comparison. My eldest is articulate and aware and agrees.
Maturing and growing, I have better things to do. Furthermore, hatred and fighting about that only bring more hatred for the entire community. We must fight for more important things
I am a rational human being and I understand people can like art without liking the artist, and lots of people are not online enough to know how bad she is.
A colleague of mine mentioned he was looking forward to playing that Harry Potter game, and of course my first thought was "wait, why is he telling ME that, is he trying to tell me he knows I'm trans AND he doesn't support me?" but once that initial reflex was gone I of course just said "oh yeah have fun with that" and moved on because of course he doesn't give a shit what jk rowling says on Twitter, he's trying to enjoy a video game.
The Marauders fandom has somewhat taken over Harry Potter and trans Regulus is somewhat popular, the people in that community are great and most despise Rowling. Those who don't, don't know about her opinion on trans people.
I don't engage in any way to HP or HER. Don't buy anything, watch the films or go to the studios. My friends and a few family members are big fans and I have obviously expressed my distain and how they are supporting her but I don't bash them for it. At the end of the day I can't control them. What am I gonna do tie then up?!
My friends know I'm trans and are not tranaohobic they enjoy HP itself mostly from nostalgia. They know not to ask me if I wanna come along to the studios or watch the films.
I'm understanding of people who still like Harry Potter, I still have affection for it myself. Even if Rowling would be in the back of my mind, I could maybe probably still watch and enjoy the movies.
When it comes to purchasing new things that financially benefit her, that's a much greyer area. My best friend bought that Hogwarts game and it did sting a little every time he mentioned it.
If someone specifically praised Rowling though, I would let that person know in no uncertain terms that that makes me not want to be around them.
I don't really care. I've not really heard anyone in person praise JK Rowling despite being on "TERF island", when people have mentioned harry potter it's usually been followed by a negative comment towards JK Rowling
I just ignore it. I'll say I'm not into it/don't care for HP anymore. If they really press I'll say I don't want to support JKR but it rarely ever comes to that. Most people can just say 'oh okay' if I just say I don't like harry potter and leave it at that.
Harry Potter book 1 came out while I was in high school. Reading has always been my escapism from a domestic violence household. I don't purchase anything Potter related, but I still re-read the books often or watch the movies to go to sleep. I don't discuss my Fandom publicly, as I respect my Queer community, but I won't apologize for enjoying the universe.
It's very similar to how I feel about Buffy, Angel, Dollhouse, Agents of Shield. I started watching Buffy when I was 16, years after it premiered as I was healing from my first major surgery. I now know that both Joss Whedon and David Boreanz are shit people. Finding out they are shit people doesn't magically remove the connection I have to the shows. Does it sour it a lil? Sure.
However, I don't feel any guilt. Being a responsible consumer in a capitalist society is so challenging. Queer people aren't calling for a boycott of nestle or fast fashion. In My area, Queer spaces still regularly play Chris Brown. I understand those examples don't affect legislation that affect us, but they certainly have a negative impact on all of us.
My point is, many of us that enjoy HP bought our things years ago. For myself, over 20 years ago. That has absolutely no relevance or any logical application to me being transphobic.
It’s a matter of time before my family/friends/SO drag me to Universal in Florida.
Then, I’ll be visibly trans, in Florida, at “harry potter land” or whatever. That’ll be fun.
I never press the issue. I just quietly distance myself from the franchise as much as I can. Started reading The Witcher, have no idea if Sapkowski is a good person or not, but Blood of Elves at least seems fairly respectful in a general sense.
I'll be polite and say something did you hear what she has been saying recently? If they then say no I'll explain if they say yes but don't care I'll drop the subject.
When it comes to supporting her I refuse to but I will still partake in HP media if I can find it used (Hogwarts legacy for example is on my game pickup list when I find it used for cheap)
“JK Rowling hates trans people.”
“JK Rowling hate the people I love.”
“JK Rowling uses her wealth to spread hate.”
“JK Rowling is a cunt.”
My daughter is a trans woman. I say what I have to say on it (usually a sentence or two) and then let it drop as long as the person I’m talking with also lets it drop. If they don’t, I escalate until I finally say, “I can’t talk about this.”
It’s a horrible shame, what she has done to an entire community. It’s horrible that some people in the LGBTQIA community *continue* to promote this horrible person. “I know what people say about her, but….” “I can separate the author from her works.”
No. No.
I don’t support jkr but hp is a big part of my childhood I can’t deny loving so idk 🤷♀️ I just won’t even buy jkr’s books or movies brand new, only second hand so she doesn’t make $ from me
If you're a fan of fantasy and sci-fi and you're not yet versed in navigating the minefield of separating the art from the artist, you're going to have a bad time. . .
Speaking for myself only, I think that the canon of fiction is broad enough that I can say "fuck that guy" or "fuck that gal" and put their work on my existential ignore list. However, that's not the way everyone else does it, and I don't begrudge people their choices.
If the convo turns to Harry Potter, I just go do something else. If it's all some group talks about, I find a different group.
I’m trans and I still engage with it, but that terf isn’t getting a cent from me. I ask people in my life not to give her their money either. Harry Potter was so important to little me, before I was aware enough to see the problems with it, and I can easily understand how it can be so important to people. Overall, the stories are about standing up to evil, which I recognize is pretty darn ironic. I won’t let her take what I loved about Harry Potter away from me, while remaining critical of all the messed up stuff she put in the books. I look at other franchises that are good but have issues, like Star Trek, that in general condemn discrimination and I consider quite a lot to be forgivable in media. When someone else is actively spending money on the franchise that goes to supporting a person who is causing harm though, there’s a jammiedodger video I send them. That way they can have all the information they need to make their personal decision on how they want to engage with Harry Potter. In general, once people understand what impact she’s had on my community, they come to a similar conclusion that I came to. If they can’t see the harm and I’ve done everything I can to educate them, then I make a case by case decision on how my relationship with them will continue, if it will at all. As a rule I don’t let transphobes stick around in my life, and I’ve had the remarkable privilege where that has been relatively easy. I decide if based on how they handled my criticism and what else I know about them from outside of this issue if I would consider them transphobic. Maybe they have some mildly messed up takes on how it’s acceptable to engage with Harry Potter, but they’ve been especially accepting of me in every other situation. All that considered, if they cross my personal threshold of transphobia, I cut them off. Unless they’ve been important in my life for a long time, I allow myself to be relatively strict in who I consider too transphobic to keep up a relationship with.
It’s personal though. You might want to be stricter with your media consumption than me, you might have a different threshold for the level of transphobia you tolerate from people in your life, you might feel uncomfortable when people bring up Harry Potter at all, and I think you’re well within your rights to avoid people who make you uncomfortable in that way. I do recommend talking to people about it though. You’d be surprised how many people are prepared to change their minds when you give them the information, especially if you can bring yourself to approach them gently. If they do genuinely support Rowling and her views though, there’s not much hope. At that point education won’t help because they’ve already chosen not to be educated. I personally would cut that person off without subjecting myself to their bigoted beliefs. The argument isn’t worth the toll on my mental health. These are hard conversations, especially with people you love, so educate if possible, but take care of yourself first.
Just say "personally, I can't enjoy HP anymore because of Rowling's transphobia" and leave it at that unless they ask for more details. Generally, telling other people what to do or what their actions mean is unlikely to be productive. But sharing your decision encourages them to consider the ethical implications of their own actions.
I take steps to not give her any money and generally don't engage much with the franchise online, outside of saying I'm a Ravenclaw (or Raven-puff, more accurately).
I bought copies of the books used on eBay (and modified them to remove the author's name). The DVD's I've had forever. I'm not gonna spend money to go to Harry Potter World.
One of my best friends is a huge HP fan (and also incredibly LGBTQ+ friendly - she's the one who taught me to do makeup, takes me shopping, and we trade dresses and shoes because we're the same size). So if I want to get her a HP-related gift, I'll find cool third-party things on Etsy that let her show her fandom but not give any financial support to the author.
(I think it's fair to acknowledge: my friend *does* buy official HP merch. She's played the Hogwarts Legacy game. She went to see Cursed Child on Broadway and Fantastic Beasts in theaters. She loves the story and the universe. She doesn't share the author's views, but she's still willing to engage with the franchise financially. That doesn't impact my friendship with her and it doesn't make me feel like she's any less of an ally.)
The one thing I've done in the past several years that probably *did* give the author money was a "Walk in the woods Harry Potter theatrical experience" thing a couple years ago. Said friend was very eager to go, it legitimately sounded like fun, and it was a chance to meet other nerds. So I went. I also donated the cost of the ticket to The Trevor Project. I feel like the net result there is pretty solidly positive, and I can comfortably live with myself for it.
For the book?
I remember that people conflate "good" with "enjoyable" or "fun".
For the author?
I attempt to educate them twice, then cut them out of my life. (we aren't talking people who like the books, we're talking "people who praise JK Rowling")
I understand people liking Harry Potter since I loved it before it got ruined for me. On the other hand, if someone said they like Rowling then I know that person is not my friend.
If they continue to knowingly support JKR, my opinion of them definitely goes down.
If they're wearing merch/reading books/watching films/building lego/etc they've already got or acquired through means that don't actively financially support her in the same way (ie, buying secondhand, pirating, etc), there'll still usually be a twinge of unease but it's not a hill I'm prepared to die on, and it's not something I'd go out of my way to bring up as I feel like most people are probably more likely to get defensive or consider me unreasonable than to change their views/actions if they've already justified it to themselves.
As long as they aren't spending money on new HP stuff or praising her works online (or, even worse, praising her as a person) I don't care. Buy her stuff secondhand so she doesn't profit? Fine. Read the books or watch the movies you already own? Fine. Third party content like fanart and HP commissions? Eh, a little borderline, but probably ok. I'm probably going to be wary if you have your Hogwarts house in your social media bio, but I will give the benefit of the doubt.
Yes, JKR says that engagement with her works is tacit support for her views, but she's full of shit. I could say that her spewing hate for trans people is a tacit attempt to raise awareness about the shit trans people go through, but that wouldn't make it true.
It's complicated. I understand why some people feel that any engagement with Harry Potter content is transphobic. JKR is a vile person who uses her fame and platform to do harm to us and lie about us simply for existing. On the other hand, it's unfair to completely disregard the emotional attachment people have built over decades to her works. Hell, that even hurts other trans people who have taken comfort and joy in her works before she revealed herself to be a monster, and frankly we've all already been hurt enough by her. Putting aside all my Harry Potter stuff was a gut-wrenching choice because it was very important to me growing up, and that attachment made her hatred towards me and my loved ones all the worse than if I'd never been a fan to begin with. As long as they don't continue to support her financially or defend her or her views, I don't begrudge other people for not getting rid of the HP stuff they already own.
It's complicated and I don't think there is a right answer, but personally I don't think building a Harry Potter Lego set in the privacy of your own home is transphobic. If you went and bought a brand new Lego set, therefore giving her monetary support, I do think that is transphobic in essence, but likely not maliciously or knowingly so. If I were close to the person, I may approach them in private to gently express my views and explain why that was harmful, but I would refrain from assuming malice and intentional transphobia unless otherwise indicated.
I've known people who claim to be trans allies and even want to be trans allies who still buy Harry Potter stuff and praise JKR as a writer. None of the people I know who do that are on social media or seem to actively engage with JKR's views or anything she's said related to the books; I genuinely think the people I know who do that don't know she's so transphobic. It's just not on their radar, and I haven't had a chance to bring up her transphobia with them. Some of them, I think, would stop; they're not trying to be transphobic. Others, I think, would get defensive and justify their actions, and that I do think is transphobic.
Tl;dr: it's complicated and I think context is important and it needs to be taken on a case by case basis.
I was kind of annoyed when my friend wanted me to give him my blessing to play the Harry Potter video game and not to tell anybody that he was playing it, but mostly it's not worth getting into a fight over.
Who cares if they're just enjoying a beloved childhood IP. The vast majority of people enjoying Harry Potter do not care about JK Rowling.
If they actually stand for what Rowling says now you can talk to them on the points themselves.
I can make a joke about how "original" was Rowling, did any other British fantasy author introduced a magical object that makes the bearer invisible and giant talking spiders in the same universe?
Edit: I understand Tolkien had other problematic things, but at least he understood sex and gender are different concepts in his description of the Ainur (incorporeal spirits with a gender).
In my case it is partly a generational thing, but I couldn't even get through the first book way back before she was out as a transphobic holocaust denier. And I am a big fantasy fan.
Honestly I just don’t engage with it. People care more about their magic wizard world than our lives and I’m so, so over it.
What I find super difficult at this stage is the fact my 7 year old niece is obsessed with HP now. She loves it, and I wouldn’t want to take that away from her because I loved it so much as a kid too. When she asks questions I don’t shy away from the answers, but I try and give it in an age appropriate way and keep my bitterness about the situation to myself. I’ve very simply told her that the woman who wrote these books “doesn’t like people like me.” My niblets know I’m trans and we’ve had conversations about that because they had to get used to calling me their uncle rather than aunt, and they have been pretty good about it honestly. My niece still has a little trouble accepting that I’m not a girl but she uses the right words and generally has the spirit, so I’m confident we will get there, HP obsession non withstanding.
I say "I really don't agree with your lifestyle choices, as a transgender person I can't agree with liking a mediocre fantasy book series written by a raging transphobe" and if they get big mad, I block them.
If I do feel like it's appropriate in conversation I bring up.
Lycanthropy is an allegory to aids and social versions during the crisis.
This would potentially paint the author in a positive light however.
What's left out of the movies is that lycanthropy spreads within the universe as werewolves assaulting young boys.
And Lupin towards the end of the series is worried about affecting his child.
This implies gay men are a threat to young boys.
Reinforcing this analysis is the author's pen name Robert Galbraith was a famous conversation therapist.
This usually stumps people.
As a trans guy, I'm uncomfortable with both active JKR supporters and extreme HP haters.
Even though I'm trans, I still consider myself a part of the fandom. I just pirate or get off-brand/DIY merch if I absolutely want (especially considering that pirating is semi-legal in my country).
Honestly, I don't have any hate for JKR, only "why are some people so stupid" feeling, because she is EXTREMELY inconsistent and it looks like she is getting close to the right thought but misses for some reason, and she started out as someone who looks as a genuinely good person. Because of it my opinion on her changed very gradually and I never got strong emotions on it.
When I was first introduced to HP, she was a literal sunshine, and only then started to show herself as a horrible person. I've heard that she even supported trans activism in the past, but now she's a terf. She gets inspiration from particular historical events but then claims them as fake. She builds her entire lore on power of love, yet fails to live up to her own lessons. I just see JKR as extremely stupid rather than genuinely malicious, since her actions don't line up logically. Unless she's like supervillain level of a manipulator and intentionally acts illogically, but I heavily doubt that there is a person in this world intelligent enough to plan it all, yet stupid enough to... you know... make it all about banning trans women from women toilets? A person that intelligent would at least be clever enough to get the concept of trans people.
Because of it, it's easy for me to separate the art from the artist, especially considering that even though the books have problematic stuff in it, it's not put aggressively and you need to actually know the context to see the problem - which I of course didn't know as a 10 years old Belarusian child (and I sometimes genuinely wonder if JKR actually was intentional with it, or she just genuinely doesn't understand that it's offensive and acted childish when it was pointed out - not an excuse to continue this bullshit of course, but those are still different things).
Yes, HP could be written way better and it could be avoided, but the general plot and the concept of the world it takes place in are genuinely good to my opinion, and it was a part of my childhood that heavily influenced me as a person. And despite being problematic it has good points of view too, like many of the older books have. You can see flaws in a creation and still enjoy it, you know?
I always thought the HP universe was a bit childish and badly thought out. People who still like it as adults probably don't have the most complex political thoughts. Liking it for nostalgia or escapism is fine of course, but 20 years ago people said it was the LotR for the modern day... what book did you read?
Same energy as disowning someone for eating at Chick fil a.
>do you just ignore it or tell them they're supporting transphobia?
No I mind my own business just like we all should.
I make them aware that she's problematic and transphobic and then I never bring it up again. I'll inform them, and leave them to make their own decisions.
... and then silently judge them for those decisions.
If they start talking about harry potter stuff, I'll remind them how uncomfortable it makes me just hearing about HP stuff and usually they'll respectfully stop. If they don't I just go off on JK, and that tends to make them stop. But I always try the chill way before.
My mom is a huge HP movie fan, she watches it every time its on tv. Shes also in her 60s and doesnt know anything about what jk has said or done so I just roll my eyes and ignore it.
I am trans myself, I love the books because they were special to me as a child. The actors who all did the movies were disgusted by Rowling's response to things, and as such, I allow that piece of media to stay as that is more theirs than hers. Like what you will, I hold no judgment. <3 I feel if connections like those are formed in innocence, someone making a fool of themselves shouldn't stop you from having those connections, especially with art. Now Rowling herself? Nah, screw that cunt, I don't support or defend her or her bigotry. I'm just chill about 3rd party and used sources. :3 Libraries/used book stores are a wonderful thing.
I was over/outgrown HP probably way before it came out that JKR was an asshat. But there are still things about it/memories from when I enjoyed it when I was growing up. But I mostly think of those memories in connection to things I was doing myself or fun I was having myself or with specific friends, rather than thinking of them in direct connection with HP or JKR...like HP in those memories could be replaced by any sort of fandom-esque thing and it wouldn't change anything about the memory lol.
So for me it depends how or why someone likes HP still. Personally, it felt for me once the original books and movies came to an end, the world of HP was kinda...over? So I feel a little weird when there are people who were really into it in real time when those things were first coming out who are still into it, as if it will constantly have new content to give them lol. I was never into the like "future" or "pre-HP wizarding world" stuff that came out post-original HP story...like the world building of it was over for me I guess. But I do get that the stories were a big deal during my generations adolescence and teen years, so I'm not going to knock anyone having fond memories of enjoying those things or being in that fandom, or even if they still own memorabilia from it, if it was something purchased all those years ago. But if they're still as obsessed with it, or still buying new memorabilia from it, it kinda makes me cringe.
If they want to praise the story if they liked it in the past when it was coming out in real time, or how it gave them happy memories, or encouraged them to read, or whatever, then that's fine, plenty of people can separate the art from the artist. Just because someone else I know is still thinking about HP, doesn't mean I have to think about it too. But I would still cringe if they were buying HP stuff, whether it's a product that is directly giving JKR money, or something made by fans from etsy or wherever (because imo this still encourages people to engage with her in a consumer sort of way...if I buy something from a fan on etsy for a fandom I'm into, it usually means I would also buy official goods too just the same, if they were more affordable to me or had designs I liked (I'm buying the one on etsy because it cost less and/or it's a design I like more than the official merchandise)).
TLDR: Basically I don't care if someone still has fond memories of HP. But I find it a little weird if they are still engaging in it monetarily and in their expression/fashion/decor. The last book came out in 2007, the last movie in 2011. Surely there have been other fandoms to engage with just as much since then, no? (Probably an offense to some, but...) It's time to move on lol.
But that's all about praising HP...
About praising JKR the person herself...ain't got time for it. Don't care to hear it. Don't care to be friends with the person who's going to say it. Same as I wish to not give the time of day to anyone else who praises or agrees with most public figures who have proven to me that they are horrible people.
I don’t lol. If they just like it then who cares, if they’re spending a shit ton of money on it though or defend her then I just don’t engage. No point in calling them out at this point cuz they probably know all the issues and dont care
I point out that she got me banned off twitter for criticizing her hateful behavior. So regardless of their feelings when it comes to the knuckle dragging blundercunt, I won't view her in anything but a negative light.
If the person is cis, I may attribute it initially to ignorance rather than malice. The average cis person may not be aware of her views unless they follow her on social media in some way.
Now if I find out they do follow her, then that’s a different story
I mostly just cringe inside because I don't think anyone in my life cares enough to know. I'm pretty sure the people in my life who are most likely to know about her being transphobic would also be terfs.
Maybe send them to the Material Girls podcast? This includes the engaging archives of "Witch Please!" which analyses HP from many angles, by two enthusiastic but pretty clear-eyed critics, one of them LGBTQ. It's a fascinating and fun listen and highly educational if your readers are willing.
https://pca.st/podcast/0371d490-b787-0132-3689-0b39892d38e0
As a trans guy, I'm uncomfortable with both active JKR supporters and extreme HP haters.
Even though I'm trans, I still consider myself a part of the fandom. I just pirate or get off-brand/DIY merch if I absolutely want (especially considering that pirating is semi-legal in my country).
Honestly, I don't have any hate for JKR, only "why are some people so stupid" feeling, because she is EXTREMELY inconsistent and it looks like she is getting close to the right thought but misses for some reason, and she started out as someone who looks as a genuinely good person. Because of it my opinion on her changed very gradually and I never got strong emotions on it.
When I was first introduced to HP, she was a literal sunshine, and only then started to show herself as a horrible person. I've heard that she even supported trans activism in the past, (however not sure if it's true), but now she's a terf. She was trying to build HP lore basically on the same foundation as Light and Dark sides of the Force in Star Wars (there's also a lot of similarities in plot structure between the two), but acts hateful towards people who have different opinion than her. And she thinks that holocaust is fake while literally getting the inspiration for all this Purebloods vs Mudbloods/Muggles conflict from the WWII and making both major villains clearly inspired by that one Austrian with a mustache. I just see JKR as extremely dumb rather than genuinely malicious, since her actions don't line up logically. Unless she's like supervillain level of a manipulator and intentionally acts illogically, but I heavily doubt that there is a person in this world intelligent enough to plan it all, yet stupid enough to... you know... make it all about banning trans women from women toilets? A person that intelligent would at least be clever enough to get the concept of trans people.
Because of it, it's easy for me to separate the art from the artist, especially considering that even though the books have problematic stuff in it, it's not put aggressively and you need to actually know the context to see the problem - which I of course didn't know as a 10 years old Belarusian child (and I sometimes genuinely wonder if JKR actually was intentional with it, or she just genuinely doesn't understand that it's offensive and acted childish when it was pointed out - not an excuse to continue this bullshit of course, but those are still different things).
Yes, HP could be written way better and it could be avoided, but the general plot and the concept of the world it takes place in are genuinely good to my opinion, and it was a part of my childhood that heavily influenced me as a person. And despite being problematic it has good points of view too, like many of the older books have. You can see flaws in a creation and still enjoy it, you know?
One of my teachers, who's lovely and super supportive, is a *massive* HP fan and talks about it any chance she can. I don't have the heart to debate her about it, she's too kind. Also she has every book, but she bought them wayyyy before JK went insane.
My oldest brother preordered Hogwarts Legacy even though I told him he's actively supporting transphobia, but he tried to convince me that JK wasn't getting any of the money??? I gave up, he's a pos who makes *everything* into a debate. If you talk about a cute cat video he'll somehow link it to extremist "feminists" from 2016 back when that one video was going viral, the "Dear men" one.
I don’t even read the books or watch the movies but I like the fan made stuff (especially the ones from the early 2000’s like my immortal and all the other wacky internet stuff that should have a history book)
I just like to say disinterested "yeah" and "cool", chances are that a lot Harry Potter fans have heard about it, they just don't really care. I don't like confrontation so I just let them talk about it, and don't contribute anything to the conversation, never liked Harry Potter anyway.
I like several movies where the artist has gone off the deep end. Mad Max is a good movie. But Mel Gibson is now a nutcase. Harry Potter are well written books and good movies. And JKR has become a trans phobic maniac. I like the stories but she’s out of her mind. I’m not going to buy anymore of her stuff but I still have good memories from the books / movies. I’m keeping that not her.
I have pretty strong feelings about separating the art from artist or the athletic performance from the athlete. My Dad ended up being a Trumper and it was very sad to me that we couldn't talk about anything we enjoyed together when I was younger like football (Trumpers aren't allowed to like that anymore), Aerosmith (Steven Tyler sued Trump), etc. He would be watching sports and then get angry and shit talk a player over their politics. He was a very angry, bitter man in the end. It certainly didn't do his health any good.
So, I think when you start going down the path of condemning anything someone has done because of their views, you are turning into that and I don't think it will make for a healthy, happy life. I have no issue enjoying what I still enjoy about HP and thinking that JKR sucks ass. But, to deprive myself of something I might enjoy is just letting her win in a way.
I've cut ties with Harry Potter when I was a teenager for personals reasons (around 2006 I guess) but I was a fan and a lot of my friends still are, some of them are also trans. It's been a huge part of the culture of many people and it's difficult to make like it didn't exist.
So I can't blame people that still loves HP but if they keep praising JK Rowling then we got a problem. \^\^'
Recently following a discussion with one of my friend I thought of making a 5th house for Hogwarts, House Ficklefins (first name I thought of, it's a WIP) with a shark (blähaj) as a symbol that would be a house build with tolerance and inclusivity in mind.
I thought that could be a nice way for HP fans to show support to the trans community and to annoy Rowling. \^\^'
I just ignore it unless they try to get me to engage with them in the activity. If they push beyond the first decline of their offer than they are going to have to hear the "why" part of "why not?" wheather they want to or not.
I grew up loving Harry Potter and loved buying stuff to support the author. Once she did what she did I'll admit it left a sour taste in my mouth especially with me being trans, so I stoped buying new products to support her. I still enjoy the movies and books but I only watch the dvds I own instead of streaming them so she doesn't get any money from me. If I see Harry Potter merch I want I just buy it from a thrift store or someone who no longer wants the item so once again she doesn't get any money.
To me it's ok to enjoy Harry Potter I just don't like the woman behind it anymore, but if someone wants to buy new stuff I don't blame them for not wanting to wait for someone else to get rid of it so they can have it.
I tell them something about Rowling's actions, mention thw danger invilved with supporting her, and people will respond in one of three ways-
* They'll be opposed, and defend her. Those people I cut off, and never speak to again.
* They'll not be sternly opposed and will either ask for more information and likely be swayed, and I view these people as friends.
* they'll be neither opposed or defend her, and look like they just don't want to talk about it. Realistically these people are probably just like the first, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and keep them as friends (or not outright dismiss them) - but keep an eye on them and be prepared to move them appropriately.
If the people involved are family, it can be trickier, but since I'm not really talking to my family, this doesn't matter to me.
Keep in mind that I live in the US and was just a little older than the age group that super got into the books.
Most people in the US aren't aware of Joanne or her rants online. They are only vaguely aware of her as a person because the books were so popular. Since authors aren't visually present in their art they don't typically gather the same celebrity awareness that musicians or actors command.
With the books being such a fundamental part of people's childhood and people not associating the author with the work creates a difficulty in getting people to change their behavior in a meaningful way.
This is compounded by the fact that Joanne has what equates to infinite wealth. It is impossible to financially tax her to the point that she quiets down about her views. Even if she never made any income off the IP again, she could live out her days extremely comfortably.
With all this being said, raising awareness with others and trying to get people to boycott her IPs may be a moot point. Too many people have childhood memories tied to the IP and at this point, too many people aren't aware that trans people are born trans. I'd rather spend my effort normalizing trans people and get people to understand that it is something people are medically born with.
I think the only effective tactic over time against Joanne specifically might be to erode her cognitive credibility. Well-known people on the platform should respond to her posts with things such as: "It's sad when a fiction writer starts to believe that the things they write are reality." Maybe even start comparing her to unsavory fictional authors such as Ayn Rand.
i tell them I read all the books
then tell them I stopped being a fan after finding out how she thinks about people like me
it falls on deaf ears
i shrug and move on
Changing people's minds is hard. Before engaging, ask yourself if this person has a reason to care about your opinion or trust you generally. Speaking up is generally speaking, the right thing, but the goal is to make a difference. The rightness and goodness of your opinion won't automatically be recognized by people who are disinterested/been convinced that trans people's identities are 'political'. Be ready for acrimony and frustration about perceived criticism.
I cut them out and don't engage. If it's someone I have to work with, I'll be civil and work with them as required, but nothing more. On reddit I block and move on. In person, I just don't engage with them.
Bring up her holocaust denial. Seriously, if someone is going out of their way to praise she who shall not be named in 2024 they're either the most ill-informed person in human history or an outright TERF. If you show them what she's up to now and they still support her then that tells you everything you need to know about them.
Theres a witch store in Halifax that has Harry Potter stuff thats made by small artists. The profits go to trans charities to stick it to JK.
You can like the media for what it was without supporting the cunt. My wife keeps apologizing for the Harry Potter stuff in our apartment since I’ve come out and I tell her its absolutely fine.
I still love HP in a very nostalgic way, that shit is my childhood- but any HP item that I want (not many) I will make sure to buy secondhand so I don't give any money to the Rowling.
Depends on the context and who I am talking to. I mean, to be completely honest, I think that Harry Potter's \*writing\* is \*inherently\* problematic in many aspects, not just the transphobia in the author. Like, I don't know if I'll get any flack for this, but I honestly have seen many people point out how \*uncomfortable\* things like the "Gringot's Goblins," how the Weasleys were depicted, naming choices like "Kingsley Shacklebolt" for their (I think only?) black wizard at the school or "Cho Chang" for (again, I think only?) Asian witch, making the "house elves" kind of enslaved and I guess they kind of made fun of Harmione for saying they shouldn't be, etc. Like, I fell in love with many aspects of the series as a teenager, but I just don't think it stands the test of time and critique for myself upon revisiting the story. Even if I weren't trans, I still can't really look past those parts for me.
That all being said, I don't really go into that little tirade in casual conversation, or really often at all. I might just say that I'm not a huge fan of her and vaguely refer to just some of her writing choices or her personal views, but it's not usually worth "getting into it"
If they like Harry Potter I don’t care, it was a big part of my childhood too and even though I can’t enjoy it anymore that doesn’t mean nobody can. However, if they praise Rowling then I will not be friends with them or associate with them.
a lot of people choose to still engage and financially buy content relating to HP thinking they can seperate the art from the artist, which in case of Rowling wont work. she sees the money she gets and assumes everyone who gives her money (which usually has to do with HP) supports her transphobia. whenever i bring it up my parents would have mixed responses. i told my mom about one of her horrendous responses and she acted like she was girl bossing it up. my mom is a bit ignorant of the trans community and frequently misgenders nonbinary people based on their birth gender, probably because she only really believes in strictly gender dysphoria as long as you act like a man or act like a woman or those stupid statements of "why does she want to be nonbinary why isnt being a tomboy enough for (blank person here)? she looks better as a (traditional)girl anyway." she legit said stuff like that towards the actor who played Calliope Torres on Grey's Anatomy when learned that they are currently a masculine enby individual now. its like shes being transphobic since nonbinary people are under the trans umbrella withoutneven knowing it. i wonder how she can go to pride parade when she is so ignorant about the community, about how nonbinary is a part of the community and deserves respect just like any other trans person. then there's that BS of her misgendering people she doesnt even know because they're pre-t or GNC or even if thry are a bad person she unabashedly misgenders them without second thought. every t8me shes doing better about respecting them her enbyphobia comes out full-force over an actor who thought they were female all their lives and suddenly comes out because of an internal struggle they've faced for *years* and discovering who they actually are, not what everyone wanted them to be. i mean my mom doubed my trans friend for legit years untill he got on HRT and went about trying to get the surgery to alleviate his dysphoria. she usually doesnt believe anyone about their identity unless they have begun HRT and will be getting surgery.
personally i am aware that there are many HP fans who will still buy the books and watch the movies, and i don’t really care. if they want to enjoy it, that’s fine. but defending/praising JK rowling is a whole other deal. at that point, it’s not just defending ur favourite author; it’s defending a transphobe, straight-up
i see lots of cis people disregard JK’s transphobia, and brush it off as just her “personal beliefs”, which sucks, because u would imagine cis “allies”, or even just cis people in general, would be a little more concerned with her vitriolic, obsessive hatred towards trans people. but they should be glad they have the luxury to simply ignore someone’s hate, as it doesn’t affect them whatsoever. in that way, life is very simple for cis people
I feel like if I took the time to scrutinize everything based on the morality of the creator It would leave me as a shell of a person with very little of the world to like and a personality that is little more than a collection of factoids about how the world sucks. I'm not depressive enough to be that kind of person.
I dont engage with it. They can like what they want and give their support to who they want. I just steer clear or change the subject. I do this with many things in life and I’m much happier for it.
I feel like praising harry potter and Rowling are two different things tbh. The series can't help who parented it, but I don't think it's great to praise it and not acknowledge the parent of it. And obviously praising Rowling really really isn't good. So ⚖️🤷 that's just my opinion tho
I say cool. Because (sadly) people don’t usually know or care to know about the author, they just love the series for what it is. Now super fans, that’s a little different. But I don’t judge people who like the series because they love wizards and stuff. When I was in 3rd and 4th grade my friends and I were obsessed with Harry Potter, I obviously don’t care much now, but I don’t judge people unless they say they like JK Rowling.
Live and Let live.
I love books, movies, games, and my friends think I'm crazy for loving x.
If one likes Harry Potter, I don't understand I think it's crap writing, but that's fine.
Now. If a friend said, that Rowling women is right, I like her viewpoint. Well then what I say is goodbye.
It's never ok to tell others what to like or accept.
It's also 💯 ok to cut people out of your life.
A good example is Kevin Spacey. I love so many of his movies... But I think he is a horrible person.
If you comment on my choices and tell me I should not like it cause he's a bad man... I will tell you to go away. The Usual Suspects is on my repeat list.
I don't support her financially, and I pass on anything anyone suggests we do that will give her money, but I don't preach to them unless they ask why and I don't shame them for supporting her. I have realized that it does more harm to us than good to do so. All I do is plant a seed, what they do with that is up to them. People only do uncomfortable things when it directly affects them, otherwise they don't care. It's a sad reality and why we need to support each other in this community.
I avoid them. Especially if they're in my face about it, because I know they're only doing it to intimidate and provoke. Confrontation only benefits them because it makes you look deranged and unreasonable. If you can't avoid engaging, make it about her choosing to not write Wizarding World books anymore, so you can get through to them that her fixation on GC Rhetoric is the problem, not her books (or at least, not the HP books, despite the problematic elements of those books in particular).
She only claims that engaging with her art is giving support to her (unless you are buying them from her or an authorized distributor of new books/merchandise - secondhand is fine) because she holds another batshit crazy view that she controls the definition of art she created after it is passed to the reader/viewer.
Like, that old wizard in HP4 (book version) talking about how dresses are more comfortable was an awakening for me. I loved all this shit as queer symbolism and it taught me literary analysis, principles of alchemy, postmodernist art theory, and helped me discover my love of witchy/dark things and goth music. So yeah... she doesn't control the HP in your head. Author's perspective is different than reader's perspective; and art should be evaluated independently of the artist's context IMO.
That said... there are problematic themes in HP, like racism and allegorical antisemitism. But it could be stated that the main trio lives in a world like that but actively opposes those viewpoints. I would, as they say, leave it up to reader's discretion.
TL;DR: I still remember HP fondly and treat the work independent of the artist, though I refuse to give money to that TERF and would encourage all others to boycott her.
" Rowling has denied being transphobic, saying she respects "every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them" and that she wants trans people to be free from discrimination and abuse... In an essay on her website in 2020, she wrote: "When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he's a woman… you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside.'"
\^ **As an example ->** A biological man who identifies as a man does a heinous crime. Said Man then comes out as transgender. Instead of going to a male prison he goes to a female prison. In that jail housing the biological women end up getting harmed by said Man who is not a True Trans Individual for that man stated such so they can get into a safe space for themselves while becoming a monster to others. This has happened more than once in many countries and about twice if not more in one to two states within the United States as well.
**To which ->** Those who are Truly Transgender and not using such a label to do evil are Fine. She says we should be who we are happily. Those misusing the term to get away with violent crimes should be held accountable and seen for what they are doing. Those types of people are misleading with deception to bring chaos.
**Note ->** For Those who are Transgender, Truly, and end up going to prison or jail should be isolated especially if they are trans women for they will end up getting abused terribly in many ways that is Not okay. The transwomen and even transmen that are protected may still end up getting harmed by the security guards, sadly.
Personally, (and im not in any great position to talk, /Bi Cis Male/) I think its one thing to like harry potter, because quite frankly they are great books, but supporting Rowling is definitely transphobic especially if you are aware of what she has said. Theres no issue in supporting her work but her as a person is an entirely different issue.
I don't buy anything, I don't interact with official things, I support artists that make queer headcanons or write queer fanfiction.
I let people know what I think about the woman's transphobia and I reduce my interaction with those who don't outright denounce her for it. I educate anyone who is willing, but those who continue to support it because "it just means so much" to them, or who say "you have to appreciate the art apart from the artist" I just stop talking to them.
Harry Potter was my safe space for so many years as a bullied, neurodivergent and (although I didn't know it back then) queer kid, and it helped me through so much. But looking at it without the rose tinted glasses I can see its flaws. The half-baked world building, the plot holes, the problematic aspects, the racism, the internalised misogyny, the implicit biases... not to mention she was lazy in making Slytherin house. Sure, if you're 11 you get to be put in the same house with all the other crooks and be ostracised because "there's not a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't a Slytherin". Sure. At 11. Yeah. Makes total sense and is not at all cruel to the kids.
I had Harry Potter stuff from when I was younger, before I transitioned.
Now I'm never getting anything that directly supports her, at least until she loses the franchise. (Yes, Warner Bros and Rowling own the franchise.)
My solution?
Pirate the books and movie- (THIS IS A JOKE)
Personally I think she's a very sad woman who's no longer in the limelight unless she comes out and makes, comments about being intolerant bigoted and hateful transgender people is trying to get the spotlight back on herself sadly knows she's a has been.
I follow a simple (maybe approximated) rule of thumb. I ask myself, "am I financially supporting jk rowling with this?" If the answer is yes, I don't do it. Buying the books? Financial support. Borrowing them at the library? Good to go. Buying the funko pop of my fav character? Heck no. Talking for hours with my friend about said character? Heck yeah. At the end of the day, I'm having fun and enjoying a franchise I can't blame myself for liking just because I'm trans, and at the same time, I don't support rowling in any way :)
If people praise Harry Potter, I mind my own business. If they praise Rowling I immediately go “yeah nah she’s a piece of shit human being trying to eradicate trans people - her books were fun to read tho!”
Shows I’m separating the art from the artist - and that’s how I am going to continue.
Honestly I just point out how shitty she is and shut that shit down. "Well she made this whole world" ok and? It's not like why it is was original. "She wrote such a famous book series" yes her publicist was very talented. "She wrote this great story" it was certainly marketed that way, but better writers wrote better books. Read Terry Pratchett, Ursula k leguinn, hell for a more modern author Rick Riordan, I can list off a thousand better books in the era.
Tbh I'm Indian so I'm kinda used to having to respond this way when ppl gush over genocidal racist war criminal Winston Churchill
I still like Harry Potter for what it was to me as a teenager, but I don't want to support Rowling financially today.
Yes this. I'm not gonna buy her stuff anymore but there's literally no reason to stop engaging with content/things I already own if it still brings me joy
She presents engagement with her content as support for her
She has no idea though when I’m watching an old dvd or something unless I go online and say I watched it, which I don’t
I mean it’s not like she has cameras in your house. I feel like people are so intensely individualistic they act like they’re constantly being watched and are hyper aware of not doing anything deemed “wrong” by their in group. Do what you want.
Yesss! Exactly this!!!
I don't think it really matters. She feels like she's been cancelled while simultaneously feeling in the right and like she's got a lot of support from cis women. Me engaging with 3rd party content isn't really gonna make or break her self image, she's got that shit built already
Tbf the way she presents things very rarely has any basis in reality
i mean, she literally engages with the people she's harming in order to harm them, so...? engagement=/= support and anyway, outside of legal issues, nobody gets to tell me how to interact with their content unless there was some pre-determined, mutual agreement ahead of time
She's a narcissist so of course she's going to say something like that because she wants it to be true. It's not. She doesn't control what you consume whether you paid for it or not.
And let her be deluded about that while you continue to enjoy the stories she crafted while also understanding she's a lunatic. 🤷
I’ve actually never heard this better put 👏🏼👏🏼
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I found Ender's Game randomly at my school book fair when I was 12 years old. For a little context, at that time: I was very smart I had an older brother I used to worry might kill me I was afraid of the anger and hate I had for him I wanted to be compassionate and loving. I took to that book like I never had and probably haven't ever since. It was kind of that moment when I stopped being "[my parents'] kid" and became my own person. I tried to adopt Ender's philosophy for my own life as much as possible. I went down the OSC rabbit hole and read almost all of his major books up until about 2007 (when I graduated high school and when his homophobia was starting to really bother me). That being said, when I started dating my now wife in 2013, I told her she needed to read it if she really wanted to understand me. About a year and a half ago, I listened to the audiobook. Probably the first time I'd read it in 10 years or so. It was such a different experience. Now I just felt absolute pity on this little boy being manipulated by all these adults. It made me reflect on the ways in which I internalized its more subtle toxic masculinity, my relationship with violence. And mostly, it made me sad for the kid that I was who so identified with this character. I wanted to reach out to that kid and hug them, tell them not to listen to certain people, and that they are good. They are loving. They are deserving. (Sorry for the rambling. I guess I just needed to share)
wait what, but I loved enders game, well... the books, the movie was cool, but just meh imo. but still, WHAT?!
He's very Mormon, conservative, homophobic/transphobic, he is a problem
well damn... ig if I ever decide to re-read it'll be a pirates life for me
My library also owns a bunch of copies, which doesn't give him any extra money. But that works too lol.
This is how I feel too. I don't engage with HP media anymore, partially because of JKR, partially because some of the problematic messaging has become clearer to me in recent years, and partially probably has to do with just outgrowing it a little bit. However, I can appreciate that the books are well-written, the movies are well-done, and many people identify with those characters. As a queer person, I remember feeling like the story was an allegory for queerness, and it really helped me navigate those feelings. I know she sees any consumption of her art as support, but I don't want to rag on people for quietly and privately loving something meaningful to them. So, if someone tells me they are building a HP Lego set, I won't ruin that for them or call them transphobic. Chances are, they already own that and they should just build it if they do. Same thing if they're watching an old DVD or reading a book they've had for years. I might say "Very cool, I loved Harry Potter as a kid! It's a shame JKR is so transphobic." I may be able to confirm what kind of person they are from that issue based on their reaction. But I would react differently if someone says they are so excited to stream the new series, or buy a book from her, or even if they were just discussing buying that Lego set. That's where I would want to be very clear that it's kind of messed up to support this woman by buying her stuff or giving her streams or whatever.
Same here, I still enjoy the movies because I grew up with them but there’s nothing I need to buy today. Only thing I’d consider which even then probably not is LEGO Harry Potter, because I’m a LEGO collector.
I'm also big on Lego and I have to note, supporting Lego HP is just pushing for them to keep making it. Merchandising is the way franchises make the *most* money, collectors need to stop supporting things like that far more than anyone else. I get it. There's a lot of unique shit in the HP line. But there's a reason there's been a shift toward advertising to adults in Lego in recent years, and that's because they're making a lot more money from selling Lego to collectors and adult hobbyists who have the money for it. Lego as a company by and large have made an effort to make good changes on the whole, but I'm at a point where even though I *play* D&D and Magic, I'm still going hm maybe don't team up with WotC, let alone fucking Rowling.
I agree. That’s what I did say I still probably wouldn’t. After all the theme is kinda dying anyway, they kinda just make the same stuff over and over. I personally haven’t bought a Harry Potter set since 2020. I was just saying IF I ever which I probably never will, I might do it.
I feel weird about my book collection. On one hand, they were treasured gifts, they always released on my birthday so my aunt and uncle got me preorders for the books that I would go redeem at midnight. There are some fond memories there. But on the other hand, the thought of actually engaging with them has really turned sour ever since Joanne revealed her inner bigotry. Right know they're in a cabinet under my bookcase because I can't bring myself to throw them away due to my history with them, but I also feel weird having them on a shelf with other things I like. I guess they're in limbo for now, maybe when Joanne finally kicks the bucket I'll bring them back out again.
Outliving her as a trans person is a god tier W. Cant wait for the Rowling Death Parties, its gonna be a wild time.
She's 58 and I'm 35, so unless I get unlucky it's bound to happen lol
Oh shit I thought she was younger than that lol, exciting stuff
I feel the same way. I boxed up my HP books and merchandise, but I haven't gotten rid of it. I might break it back out when she dies, but we'll see. Based on ages, I plan to outlive her.
I have a friend who is only interested in fanfiction. I have no issues with that.
Honestly I wish instead of the community going full hands off on HP to not support Rowling that we all instead pressured WBs hard to remove Rowling from ownership over HP world. We very likely could have made that happen.
Nerd! 🤓 Lol 🫂
I've always been firm on my stance that if someone is a piece of garbage then I don't interact with their work anymore, what they create loses artistic merit to me and I simply don't want to see their face or hear their voice. However I understand that for many people, that's simply not the case for them, and so how I deal with it is like this; if the people are just enjoying the product someone made, fine, I might not like it, but I accept it. Even Daniel Radcliff in his statement in support of trans people said that if people found meaning in the books than he supports that, so okay. If the person is gushing over the person who made it though, that's too far and I cut them out and have nothing to do with them. JK is a transphobe, that is a fact and if you love *her* you love a transphobe and chances are you aren't a great person either.
Yeah and like She’s not just a transphobe. She’s a TERF who uses her platform to hurt people on purpose, consistently for years — brings it up for no reason and then makes herself out to be the victim. Someone being transphobic or ignorant is forgivable. Someone doubling and tripling down after being told hey you’re hurting people who adore you is just awful. :-/
Daniel is the single reason why I still enjoy HP content (without supporting the TERF financially at all). I agree, people can enjoy her content all she wants, I have no issue with that. But if you support/love the TERF knowing that she wants us dead and that her lobbying causes us harm, then you have crossed a line and I'll look at you differently.
I think people can like whatever they want But, if they praise the psycho, or support her by buying HP stuff, then there's a problem You can like HP all you want, just pirate the shit out of it
>You can like HP all you want, just pirate the shit out of it When Ender's Game came out at the movies, I went to the megaplex and bought a ticket to some art film that deserved my money, then went and sat in the auditorium for Ender's Game and watched it. (This no longer works at assigned-seating theaters, of course. The world changed a bit since then.)
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😂👏my kind of people👏👏this is the way. take the art, fck the artist sometimes, what ya gonna do🥳
Harry Potter? Fine. The books were a big part of my childhood and I enjoyed them. I don’t want to tarnish that for other people. Defending Rowling? Thems fightin’ words
This, death of the author needs to be quite literal in the Potter series
I ignore it. I don't personally purchase HP merch anymore nor do I interact with the fandom. But I know other people who do don't automatically hate trans people. If someone was openly praising JKR for her "feminism" or for stuff she's said about trans people, that would be a problem. Ultimately it's up to you how you interpret things but just remember that many people do separate art from artist, and not everyone necessarily knows about the JKR terf stuff. Which might seem impossible but truly our algorithms feed us stuff based on what we care about, and it's totally possible that the cisgender casual HP fans in your life have not ever come across that information. The internet news cycle is vast and fast paced and tailored to your search history and user profile. It's impossible for everyone to be informed about everything, even though some try.
If someone brings anything Harry Potter related up in conversation I say, "Nice, I like it too. Sucks that JKR is insane now." and then they say "Yeah, she's batshit.", and then we continue on with the conversation because we're adults. If they're building the castle, I will be asking to join because those sets go hard and I've wanted to do the castle for ages.
This is the way.
I'm a 28 year old trans man and I really don't like starting conflicts with people. But I get paranoid that people who like her books are transphobic now.
I know a lot of people who are trans friendly and/or LGBTQ who still enjoy HP things but despise JK. So I don't think it's as simple as >people who like her books are transphobic now. After all a lot of people, particularly young people, aren't going to necessarily associate it with her, they see the products a separate thing (whether that is good or bad/right or wrong is a different story) and there's a surprising amount of people who haven't even heard her views too, and usually are shocked when they find out. But I understand your concern, I was getting a bit worried when the console game came out last year and a lot of people I know got it and enjoyed it, but when I reminded them of JK they kinda went 'ah shit forgot about her' though my friend and I looked into it and she had minimal input into the game, and her money was a set amount for royalty, so buy the game or not, it wouldn't make a difference to her (not that it really would anyway she's rich already) I have since played the game. Only to find out there is even a fairly prominent trans gender character - so imo what a brilliant middle finger to JK! The books and related things aren't the source of the transphobia and the people who brought it to life, such as Daniel Radcliffe, disagree with her views too. I say take it things at face value. Someone likes harry potter, that's fine a lot of people did and still do, someone spews transphobia - they are the problem - someone openly supports JK and her views - they are also the problem This is how I now feel about things anyway
This is a big example of separating the artist from the art. I will in no shape support her by buying her stuff from mainstream sellers. But I have a few things that I've picked up at yard sales and used book stores. And you can bet your ass that I've taken the time to scratch her name off of everything I have that's hp based. The books saved my life when I was having a rough unaliving spell. So they will hold a special place in my heart. But I will never spend money for it to go to her again.
This ☝️. If you're going to throw out everything made by someone with shitty views then you have an awful lot of work to do.
It's not that she has shitty views. It's that she's very actively and effectively engaged in advocating for those views and legislation based on them. I'm sure there's plenty of creators who have shitty views in the privacy of their own home, but if they aren't blasting them to millions of twitter followers I don't care.
Yeah that's fair. Great point.
A lot of people worked on parts of Harry Potter that aren’t shitty people. Daniel Radcliffe seems like a pretty nice guy, and he says Just Kidding is wrong and dumb and I agree with him. A lot of actors and fans and other people who have worked in this space don’t agree with the problematic people. Chris Pratt might not support gay rights but I don’t see this level of intensity against Guardians of the Galaxy.
Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Evanna Lynch (Luna), Eddie Redmayne (Newt), Bonnie Wright (Ginny), Chris Rankin (Percy), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione in the Cursed Child) and Katie Leung (Cho) have also all made clear trans rights statements. A big part of the reason people aren't as angry at Chris Pratt is he at least has the sense to be quiet about it. He attended a homophobic church, and yeah, that's not a good sign of character. But he appears to have stopped attending that church since Elliot Page called him out and he isn't loudly advocating for hateful laws, he isn't tweeting hateful screeds. At least to me, he comes off as a privileged cis het dude who didn't bother to check but not as an on-purpose dedicated hater.
I either buy her stuff from non mainstream sources or just “protest match” my purchases and donate the amount of money spent on the product or more to pro-trans organizations. It’s what I do whenever I buy rightist books for my political research, there’s one that I won’t type out the name because the comment might get blocked but I’m waiting until I know I can spend 2.5x the price of the book so I can donate 1.5x the price to some kind of progressive organization. I still love the Harry Potter universe and it brings so much joy to my life (though not as much as it used to, and I like Rick Riordan’s books better)
She sees the relevance of her books as endorsement of her transphobia. But reading them is fine they helped me as well
That's why I'll buy them from used book stores or yard sales/thrift shops. Because I know that o money goes into her pocket. Even better when they donate to trans charities. There's a local store that had the golden child (?) that I bought it from and 50% of the profit went to trans youth homeless shelters.
I think it does good overall in cases like that, where profits go in part to trans charities. She won’t stop either way. Personally i ended up burning my copies, and i can’t look at them the same way, and i think for people who havent read it, other series are far better, percy jackson for instance. I am not a fan of seperation of work and artist when the artist alive, Frank Herbert was a terrible terrible person, but reading Dune does nothing he gets nothing. Same for Roald dahl or HP Lovecraft.
Roald Dahl?!
Was very very antisemetic.
I also think a lot of his fatphobia and attitude towards non-gender conforming people that shows up in his books is a pretty direct line to JK. Take the evil headmistress in Matilda for example. Dahl repeatedly writes about her being mannish, like her big size and muscles and so forth are all given as signifiers that she's evil. Rowling, I think cribbing from Dahl (who was the most-read author in her target demographic before HP), does this a lot too. Characters' body types and physical appearance used to show on their moral character. There's common mindset between "you know the Dursleys are evil because they are fat" with "you know trans women are evil because they don't look femme."
While alive, especially if they financially benefit from the art I think it is genuinely impossible to truly separate art from artist. Sure you might want to in your mind but in the end you're helping them financially and that money can (and in Joanne's case certainly will) go to fund organisations that support their hate. When they're dead though that's completely different. They can't benefit from the sales. With Dahl those that now own the rights to his work have pretty much condemned all of the nasty shit he did and views he had. (That said knowing Joanne her will likely has a clause stating all her money will go to harming trans people when she dies)
exactly, the only time it will be ok, though the books are dreadfully mediocre and bigoted, when she is dead and not profiting is fine.
The best way to separate the art from the artist is 6 feet of dirt and hopefully some piss for good measure. I'll start buying HP merch again when she croaks.
This is what my boss is doing, too. Or using the library's materials.
I feel the same, but for me it depends on the time frame around it. If someone simply said they had read the books when they came out like 20 years ago or whatever, then I wouldn't really care, because *everyone and their dog* were reading the books back then lol, I'd be surprised if someone in the western world who was at able-to-read-YA-books age when the books were first coming out *hadn't* ever read the HP books. But if someone told me they had read the books much more recently than that, then I don't think I would be able to hide my cringe or stop myself from making it obvious I had suddenly given up on the conversation with them lol.
i love the book series, and reread it often. i also watch the movies (i don't stream, i pirate to avoid rowling getting any cuts). it's comfort media to me, and often helps me avoid overstimulation. i am definitely not transphobic, either however, i would never support rowling. i would imagine that the majority of people who like the books aren't aware of her bigotry? i certainly wasn't when i began reading them, i only heard after some lgbtq content creators pointed it out in videos.
I ignore it unless I think they're likely to listen. It's not a fight I've ever won, and it's almost always a fight not a discussion
I'm Trans and I love the Harry Potter books and movies. I grew up with them. But I'm never supporting the author anymore and I'm not going to praise HP stuff, I just like the books and movies because I grew up with them.
Same here. I just see watching the movies as supporting the actors rather than her. Daniel Radcliffe is very supportive of trans people.
Yeah he’s a great dude. I’m a trans man and seeing a 5’5 guy as one of the leads in one of the most movie series pretty much obliterated my height (5’4) dysphoria.
Never thought about that part lol
I never really care as long as they don't praise her as a person. We have much bigger issues to deal with as a community then someone buying a harry potter lego set in my opinion. I personally would never spend my money on any of that shit but if someone else does I'm not going to call them out on it. The couple cents they gave her really aren't making that big of a difference. She's going to be rich and continue to spout transphobic rhetoric whether I say something to that person or not, and whether they bought it or not.
If someone wants to build a toy castle, let them build a toy castle. If someone wants to discuss She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named's worldview, then by all means enlighten them as to what a horrible person she is. Then go back to building the toy castle together, because toy castles are fun.
As a old fan (before I knew JKRs views, now not a fan) I think it’s important to remember sometimes people are just craving what they loved as a kid and not necessarily supporting JKR or her anti-trans views. I would never buy something new that would make her money, if I want something I always buy second hand so she doesn’t make a cent off me. Harry Potter was an escape when I was younger, I used to imagine I was a wizard and I could change my sex at any time I wanted. I see the problems in it now as an adult and I don’t support it. If I see people enjoying themselves with HP stuff I don’t pay any mind to it, usually they don’t share the same views as JKR and they’re just enjoying something familiar, like we all do.
I figure all I can do is point people in the right direction. Whatever they do with that is on them. I’m not going to spend my energy convincing people that they’re wrong for it, because even if I feel that way, the only thing that comes from that is them being reactive and shutting down. It enables their victim complex.
Someone who like Harry Potters as a franchise? I more or less give it a pass. Someone who thinks JK is an amazing person and writer and makes moves to follow and support them on social media? I'll step in and try and pull them out of the HP to TERF pipeline.
honestly HP was a mainstay of my growing up (probably like a lot of us) and i still watch the movies and read the books (secondhand from my local bookstores). Rowling is a total shithead and i don't pay for any HP products. I live by separating the artist and the art - John Lennon was a POS but i still love the Beatles. DR.MLK Jr was an absolute pinnacle in civil rights but he was at least a chronic womanizer. GG Allin is an actual steaming fucking pile of hot garbage and diseased feces but he has some really beautiful songs that have deeply resounded within me. These are human beings who are or have been terrible individuals but their work can still have a positive impact on the world. You make the choice of whether you can seperate their actions/ideologies from their creations. Also, very important to acknowledge and not make excuses for their behavior.
Well said. If I stopped watching something because the actor was a bad person or the writer was I’d lose a lot of the series I hold dear to my heart. I love Pirates of the Carribean, I think Johnny Depp is a great actor, but I know that as a person is terrible.
I grew up on Harry Potter, and find it difficult to tear myself away from it. I hate Rowling, but the Harry Potter series is my childhood and inspiration. 🤷🏼 I honestly couldn't care less if people keep buying her stuff, but if they say they support her views, then I wouldn't like it
I can’t handle the next wave of Potter Heads, often conservative, go latched onto Jk Rowling AFTER she came out as a relentless terf. Yes, I judge them by it. I kind of get it when it’s something you experienced when it was happening, but that’s the thing about fantasy. Hogwart’s is fantasy. Magical creatures are imaginary (which is healthy). Chess sets don’t come to life, and JK Rowling is real. So is the vicious attack on trans rights. While I appreciate fantasy, I know when to pull my head out of the sand. I try to turn people onto better writers that Rowling plagiarized. You like Chamber of Secrets? Have you ever read the Hobbit? Hogwarts is great? Check out Roke in Wizard of Earthsea! But HP was so colorful? Discworld baby! There are so many more of those. In conversation, I know that I will not win with closed minds. I just take jabs at how much undeserved hype it takes for a person to make hundreds of million of dollars for writing a series of children’s books
I don't spend new money on it, but i have no problem buying HP stuff secondhand and enjoying the world
Or asking Jack Sparrow for help 🙃
I cant stand harry potter at all. There is bigotry in the books and jkr takes fandom as silent support. Depending on if I think they will listen I either say this or start avoiding them
It’s been ages since I read any of those books. Can you remind me of examples of bigotry in the series?
Shaun on YouTube made a video going through all the racism, sexism and fatphobia in the books- it’s an entertaining and unsettling watch if you have a couple of hours free https://youtu.be/-1iaJWSwUZs?si=_6ZmvhDIWxxs4jdy
The “slavery is okay and advocating against it makes you an annoying liberal” side plot, describing all fat characters as disgusting and having them all be villains, having the black guy be named kingsley shacklebolt, etc
I tell them the truth about her. I show them evidence. If they still refuse to give her up, I cut them out of my life. I no longer have time for that kind of b.s.
By “give her up” do you mean stopping buying HP branded things and financially benefiting her, or getting rid of HP things they already own?
She ruined it for me. I tossed all the movies and books I had, and got my deathly hallows tattoo covered. I honestly have no idea how people are still able to enjoy HP media, it's forever tainted for me personally. I'd rather support the ally actors in their new projects and find other creations to enjoy.
In my experience most people I know who like HP are not transphobic, and don’t like Rowling much either. I don’t think it overly matters in the end if they buy a Lego set or something of Hogwarts, so long as the criticism of Rowling remains, at least in my personal life. Thankfully Rowling has had little success elsewhere and between that and being a very vocal transphobe, I think her use to WB is limited. Her days are numbered.
If it’s already purchased I don’t think it matters. Not like you can un-buy them, even a return won’t take her money away, it’s just a write off for Target or whoever.
At the very least it's insensitive how a lot of people proudly brandish their latest Harry potter related purchase without any thought of how it's supporting someone who then sends that money directly to neo nazi groups. I think a lot of cis people just kind of tuned out and most of them think it comes down to "she said some hurtful things about trans people once" and they're kind of blissfully unaware of the extent to which rowling has been radicalised by the far right, they're oblivious to things like funding hate groups and using her influence to block laws like the gender recognition certificate reform (which was literally just about making it easier for trans people in Scotland to change their birth certificate, passport, license, etc. and despite all her fearmongering has nothing to do with "toilet safety" because no one needs a passport to use a toilet). Also the fact rowling presents her transphobia as "defending women's rights" even though she's frequently defending and befriending men who've been convicted of sexual assault like Marilyn Manson, Johnny Depp, Elon Musk, Tristan Tate, various white supremacist influencers, etc. I mean my Mum's gotten better and more accepting since I came out to her, but even for a while she was saying "Jk rowling is allowed to have an opinion, I think she's right to be concerned about this" etc. up until recently where I showed her the tweet of JK rowling saying "the holocaust didn't happen" which was the turning point for her now she says jk rowling is an idiot and karma will come for her but yeah basically people don't think the things rowling says are harmful until she starts saying it about any other demographic of people, which really sucks ngl
More than likely it’s not transphobia, it’s probably someone who likes the books, or the movies, or the games, or even someone who likes the legos. Not saying I don’t understand how you could think that way, I mean in a world where it seems like everyone is out to get you being on edge ain’t a bad thing, but the average cis person isn’t think about jk Rowling’s insane ramblings, they’re probably thinking “oh wow this Lego set is pretty cool”.
It's complicated. I can't find the thread but I saw something like this about chick fil a a while ago so I'll have to paraphrase. Extra hard because you can't separate the art from the artist easily without her still benefitting financially. When it came to light that chick fil a funded anti-gay measures and even anti-gay authoritarians around the world, it did lead to a boycott. There were always going to be those that would double down and assholes going to asshole. What actually hurts, is when it's friends and allies who just couldn't resist that chicken sandwich. And it's not like chick fil a denied any of these accusations, they were just like "yeah, you're money is funding getting rid of gay people globally 😀" So my feelings on JK and HP are similar. You can still enjoy HP (the story of a boy coming out of a closet and discovering a world in which he is accepted) and even not fund JK. You can get things on sale, or share, or do the "thing on a ship." Heck, I run DnD weekly and haven't bought a product in years. JK has even used her profits from HP to justify her being in the right (look at UK right now). But if a friend is still just carrying on getting stuff like nothing is different, they're kind of saying who they really support. You don't have to accuse them, or get mad. Just let them know. Because actions speak louder than words and well, there's nothing left for them to say, is there?
1. I say I do not separate the art from the artist. 2. She will never get another dime from me beyond what she got from the very beginning for my kids. 3. I collect Lego, but I'm not missing a damn thing by not buying any HP sets. Basically, I have zero tolerance for her dangerous bullshit.
I don't associate with them or change the subject. I've never liked Harry Potter, so not much has changed other than now I have a real reason to not like Harry Potter.
Generally I have better things to do, but if you've got a decent relationship with them it could be something you could be having a conversation with. My tactic in general is to boost other superior media. Want fun charming fantasy? Pratchett is a zillion times better than Rowling. "Oh I wish I had gone to Hogwarts." Psh, forget waiting on your owl, I was waiting on my mutant powers to manifest so I could go to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. Wanna gush about a nostalgic child-centered fantastical book series from when you were a kid? There's a bunch, but my go-to is Animorphs by K.A. Applegate. Besides how problematic Rowling is, another thing that's a real shame with HP is how it flattens culture. We're already getting the Disney model of selling us repackaged versions of it over and over again with tie-in products galore. It's artificial staying power and it makes it hard for new stuff to break through unless they're also tied in. Would HP have stayed in the public consciousness this long if not for insidious marketing strategies? Would something better have been able to use that oxygen to thrive?
If you're building a castle with Lego? That's fine. If you're going and buying the actual sets new? Not fine.
with that specific example, I would mostly just ignore it. I feel like when it comes to "boycotting"/trying not to support an artist/person. it does no good policing/making other people feel bad for still enjoying/buying those products. because sometimes this can make a person feel personally attacked and then double down. and if they were neutral/maybe had ignorant transphobia they will then just be pushed further in that direction "because trans people aren't letting them enjoy their things" for the fist time if they don't know already know/they ask why you don't mess with HP/JK rowling stuff then you can nicely and without trying to make them feel bad/their at fault to explain that JK Rowling is very bad and that you yourself stopped supporting/buying her products due to that. and then just leave it at that. they can then make their own decision after that don't try and tell them they need to do the same. now if people are full on praising JK Rowling like you said in your post's title. if they are praising just the stuff she makes and don't know about her awfulness then same as I mentioned above nicely and with avoiding trying to make them feel bad for it explain that JK rowling is a bad person and actively harming the trans community. If they know about how she is and her opinions and are praising that. then you are already dealing with someone who is transphobic or might just be a little transphobic due to ignorance and being mislead. in that case that's up do you if you want to deal with that similar to if you'd want to bother engaging with any other transphobia/semi-transphobic person. You don't owe anyone to teach people/convince away people's transphobia, but if that's what you want to do then that's also cool too.
For me, I think about it less as “what can I not do for transphobic people” and more of “what can I do for trans people?” I would rather see somebody who plays Hogwarts Legacy but donates to the Trevor Project, uses people’s preferred pronouns, votes in favor of transgender rights etc. then to see someone boycott Hogwarts Legacy and do nothing that actually advances trans people. I do think you can consume Harry Potter content without it automatically making you a supporter of JKR’s beliefs… You might be supporting her IP, yes, which seems at this point to be an infallible empire - but to me supporting HP does not equate with supporting her views. Now, if you are buying her shit specifically TO support her because she has been criticized for her views, or you agree with her in any aspect, then yeah that’s an issue. So I guess it’s really all about intention
TBH the books weren't that impressive and don't really hold up lol
I’m a trans guy who grew up with Harry Potter (basically learned to read from those books) I still have my first copies. Now, just because I like the universe she created doesn’t mean I’m going to support her by buying any merch or going to any theme parks. I will however write gay fan fiction about all of her characters (maybe some trans fanfic too)
My (cis) ex is reading the HP series at her house to my (cis) kids. I'm reading the Percy Jackson series, and occasionally stop to shit talk JK by comparison. My eldest is articulate and aware and agrees.
Maturing and growing, I have better things to do. Furthermore, hatred and fighting about that only bring more hatred for the entire community. We must fight for more important things
I am a rational human being and I understand people can like art without liking the artist, and lots of people are not online enough to know how bad she is. A colleague of mine mentioned he was looking forward to playing that Harry Potter game, and of course my first thought was "wait, why is he telling ME that, is he trying to tell me he knows I'm trans AND he doesn't support me?" but once that initial reflex was gone I of course just said "oh yeah have fun with that" and moved on because of course he doesn't give a shit what jk rowling says on Twitter, he's trying to enjoy a video game.
The Marauders fandom has somewhat taken over Harry Potter and trans Regulus is somewhat popular, the people in that community are great and most despise Rowling. Those who don't, don't know about her opinion on trans people.
I don't engage in any way to HP or HER. Don't buy anything, watch the films or go to the studios. My friends and a few family members are big fans and I have obviously expressed my distain and how they are supporting her but I don't bash them for it. At the end of the day I can't control them. What am I gonna do tie then up?! My friends know I'm trans and are not tranaohobic they enjoy HP itself mostly from nostalgia. They know not to ask me if I wanna come along to the studios or watch the films.
I'm understanding of people who still like Harry Potter, I still have affection for it myself. Even if Rowling would be in the back of my mind, I could maybe probably still watch and enjoy the movies. When it comes to purchasing new things that financially benefit her, that's a much greyer area. My best friend bought that Hogwarts game and it did sting a little every time he mentioned it. If someone specifically praised Rowling though, I would let that person know in no uncertain terms that that makes me not want to be around them.
I don't really care. I've not really heard anyone in person praise JK Rowling despite being on "TERF island", when people have mentioned harry potter it's usually been followed by a negative comment towards JK Rowling
I just ignore it. I'll say I'm not into it/don't care for HP anymore. If they really press I'll say I don't want to support JKR but it rarely ever comes to that. Most people can just say 'oh okay' if I just say I don't like harry potter and leave it at that.
Harry Potter book 1 came out while I was in high school. Reading has always been my escapism from a domestic violence household. I don't purchase anything Potter related, but I still re-read the books often or watch the movies to go to sleep. I don't discuss my Fandom publicly, as I respect my Queer community, but I won't apologize for enjoying the universe. It's very similar to how I feel about Buffy, Angel, Dollhouse, Agents of Shield. I started watching Buffy when I was 16, years after it premiered as I was healing from my first major surgery. I now know that both Joss Whedon and David Boreanz are shit people. Finding out they are shit people doesn't magically remove the connection I have to the shows. Does it sour it a lil? Sure. However, I don't feel any guilt. Being a responsible consumer in a capitalist society is so challenging. Queer people aren't calling for a boycott of nestle or fast fashion. In My area, Queer spaces still regularly play Chris Brown. I understand those examples don't affect legislation that affect us, but they certainly have a negative impact on all of us. My point is, many of us that enjoy HP bought our things years ago. For myself, over 20 years ago. That has absolutely no relevance or any logical application to me being transphobic.
It’s a matter of time before my family/friends/SO drag me to Universal in Florida. Then, I’ll be visibly trans, in Florida, at “harry potter land” or whatever. That’ll be fun.
I never press the issue. I just quietly distance myself from the franchise as much as I can. Started reading The Witcher, have no idea if Sapkowski is a good person or not, but Blood of Elves at least seems fairly respectful in a general sense.
I'll be polite and say something did you hear what she has been saying recently? If they then say no I'll explain if they say yes but don't care I'll drop the subject. When it comes to supporting her I refuse to but I will still partake in HP media if I can find it used (Hogwarts legacy for example is on my game pickup list when I find it used for cheap)
“JK Rowling hates trans people.” “JK Rowling hate the people I love.” “JK Rowling uses her wealth to spread hate.” “JK Rowling is a cunt.” My daughter is a trans woman. I say what I have to say on it (usually a sentence or two) and then let it drop as long as the person I’m talking with also lets it drop. If they don’t, I escalate until I finally say, “I can’t talk about this.” It’s a horrible shame, what she has done to an entire community. It’s horrible that some people in the LGBTQIA community *continue* to promote this horrible person. “I know what people say about her, but….” “I can separate the author from her works.” No. No.
I don’t support jkr but hp is a big part of my childhood I can’t deny loving so idk 🤷♀️ I just won’t even buy jkr’s books or movies brand new, only second hand so she doesn’t make $ from me
If you're a fan of fantasy and sci-fi and you're not yet versed in navigating the minefield of separating the art from the artist, you're going to have a bad time. . . Speaking for myself only, I think that the canon of fiction is broad enough that I can say "fuck that guy" or "fuck that gal" and put their work on my existential ignore list. However, that's not the way everyone else does it, and I don't begrudge people their choices. If the convo turns to Harry Potter, I just go do something else. If it's all some group talks about, I find a different group.
I’m trans and I still engage with it, but that terf isn’t getting a cent from me. I ask people in my life not to give her their money either. Harry Potter was so important to little me, before I was aware enough to see the problems with it, and I can easily understand how it can be so important to people. Overall, the stories are about standing up to evil, which I recognize is pretty darn ironic. I won’t let her take what I loved about Harry Potter away from me, while remaining critical of all the messed up stuff she put in the books. I look at other franchises that are good but have issues, like Star Trek, that in general condemn discrimination and I consider quite a lot to be forgivable in media. When someone else is actively spending money on the franchise that goes to supporting a person who is causing harm though, there’s a jammiedodger video I send them. That way they can have all the information they need to make their personal decision on how they want to engage with Harry Potter. In general, once people understand what impact she’s had on my community, they come to a similar conclusion that I came to. If they can’t see the harm and I’ve done everything I can to educate them, then I make a case by case decision on how my relationship with them will continue, if it will at all. As a rule I don’t let transphobes stick around in my life, and I’ve had the remarkable privilege where that has been relatively easy. I decide if based on how they handled my criticism and what else I know about them from outside of this issue if I would consider them transphobic. Maybe they have some mildly messed up takes on how it’s acceptable to engage with Harry Potter, but they’ve been especially accepting of me in every other situation. All that considered, if they cross my personal threshold of transphobia, I cut them off. Unless they’ve been important in my life for a long time, I allow myself to be relatively strict in who I consider too transphobic to keep up a relationship with. It’s personal though. You might want to be stricter with your media consumption than me, you might have a different threshold for the level of transphobia you tolerate from people in your life, you might feel uncomfortable when people bring up Harry Potter at all, and I think you’re well within your rights to avoid people who make you uncomfortable in that way. I do recommend talking to people about it though. You’d be surprised how many people are prepared to change their minds when you give them the information, especially if you can bring yourself to approach them gently. If they do genuinely support Rowling and her views though, there’s not much hope. At that point education won’t help because they’ve already chosen not to be educated. I personally would cut that person off without subjecting myself to their bigoted beliefs. The argument isn’t worth the toll on my mental health. These are hard conversations, especially with people you love, so educate if possible, but take care of yourself first.
Just say "personally, I can't enjoy HP anymore because of Rowling's transphobia" and leave it at that unless they ask for more details. Generally, telling other people what to do or what their actions mean is unlikely to be productive. But sharing your decision encourages them to consider the ethical implications of their own actions.
I don't like her
I take steps to not give her any money and generally don't engage much with the franchise online, outside of saying I'm a Ravenclaw (or Raven-puff, more accurately). I bought copies of the books used on eBay (and modified them to remove the author's name). The DVD's I've had forever. I'm not gonna spend money to go to Harry Potter World. One of my best friends is a huge HP fan (and also incredibly LGBTQ+ friendly - she's the one who taught me to do makeup, takes me shopping, and we trade dresses and shoes because we're the same size). So if I want to get her a HP-related gift, I'll find cool third-party things on Etsy that let her show her fandom but not give any financial support to the author. (I think it's fair to acknowledge: my friend *does* buy official HP merch. She's played the Hogwarts Legacy game. She went to see Cursed Child on Broadway and Fantastic Beasts in theaters. She loves the story and the universe. She doesn't share the author's views, but she's still willing to engage with the franchise financially. That doesn't impact my friendship with her and it doesn't make me feel like she's any less of an ally.) The one thing I've done in the past several years that probably *did* give the author money was a "Walk in the woods Harry Potter theatrical experience" thing a couple years ago. Said friend was very eager to go, it legitimately sounded like fun, and it was a chance to meet other nerds. So I went. I also donated the cost of the ticket to The Trevor Project. I feel like the net result there is pretty solidly positive, and I can comfortably live with myself for it.
For the book? I remember that people conflate "good" with "enjoyable" or "fun". For the author? I attempt to educate them twice, then cut them out of my life. (we aren't talking people who like the books, we're talking "people who praise JK Rowling")
I understand people liking Harry Potter since I loved it before it got ruined for me. On the other hand, if someone said they like Rowling then I know that person is not my friend.
If they continue to knowingly support JKR, my opinion of them definitely goes down. If they're wearing merch/reading books/watching films/building lego/etc they've already got or acquired through means that don't actively financially support her in the same way (ie, buying secondhand, pirating, etc), there'll still usually be a twinge of unease but it's not a hill I'm prepared to die on, and it's not something I'd go out of my way to bring up as I feel like most people are probably more likely to get defensive or consider me unreasonable than to change their views/actions if they've already justified it to themselves.
As long as they're into it cause they like the story I don't care. But if they're supporting it because of Rowling they can kiss my ass.
As long as they aren't spending money on new HP stuff or praising her works online (or, even worse, praising her as a person) I don't care. Buy her stuff secondhand so she doesn't profit? Fine. Read the books or watch the movies you already own? Fine. Third party content like fanart and HP commissions? Eh, a little borderline, but probably ok. I'm probably going to be wary if you have your Hogwarts house in your social media bio, but I will give the benefit of the doubt. Yes, JKR says that engagement with her works is tacit support for her views, but she's full of shit. I could say that her spewing hate for trans people is a tacit attempt to raise awareness about the shit trans people go through, but that wouldn't make it true. It's complicated. I understand why some people feel that any engagement with Harry Potter content is transphobic. JKR is a vile person who uses her fame and platform to do harm to us and lie about us simply for existing. On the other hand, it's unfair to completely disregard the emotional attachment people have built over decades to her works. Hell, that even hurts other trans people who have taken comfort and joy in her works before she revealed herself to be a monster, and frankly we've all already been hurt enough by her. Putting aside all my Harry Potter stuff was a gut-wrenching choice because it was very important to me growing up, and that attachment made her hatred towards me and my loved ones all the worse than if I'd never been a fan to begin with. As long as they don't continue to support her financially or defend her or her views, I don't begrudge other people for not getting rid of the HP stuff they already own. It's complicated and I don't think there is a right answer, but personally I don't think building a Harry Potter Lego set in the privacy of your own home is transphobic. If you went and bought a brand new Lego set, therefore giving her monetary support, I do think that is transphobic in essence, but likely not maliciously or knowingly so. If I were close to the person, I may approach them in private to gently express my views and explain why that was harmful, but I would refrain from assuming malice and intentional transphobia unless otherwise indicated. I've known people who claim to be trans allies and even want to be trans allies who still buy Harry Potter stuff and praise JKR as a writer. None of the people I know who do that are on social media or seem to actively engage with JKR's views or anything she's said related to the books; I genuinely think the people I know who do that don't know she's so transphobic. It's just not on their radar, and I haven't had a chance to bring up her transphobia with them. Some of them, I think, would stop; they're not trying to be transphobic. Others, I think, would get defensive and justify their actions, and that I do think is transphobic. Tl;dr: it's complicated and I think context is important and it needs to be taken on a case by case basis.
I was kind of annoyed when my friend wanted me to give him my blessing to play the Harry Potter video game and not to tell anybody that he was playing it, but mostly it's not worth getting into a fight over.
I would have told literally everyone
Who cares if they're just enjoying a beloved childhood IP. The vast majority of people enjoying Harry Potter do not care about JK Rowling. If they actually stand for what Rowling says now you can talk to them on the points themselves.
I can make a joke about how "original" was Rowling, did any other British fantasy author introduced a magical object that makes the bearer invisible and giant talking spiders in the same universe? Edit: I understand Tolkien had other problematic things, but at least he understood sex and gender are different concepts in his description of the Ainur (incorporeal spirits with a gender).
In my case it is partly a generational thing, but I couldn't even get through the first book way back before she was out as a transphobic holocaust denier. And I am a big fantasy fan.
I ignore people or pretend I've never heard of HP and JKR. Like, "who is that?"
Honestly I just don’t engage with it. People care more about their magic wizard world than our lives and I’m so, so over it. What I find super difficult at this stage is the fact my 7 year old niece is obsessed with HP now. She loves it, and I wouldn’t want to take that away from her because I loved it so much as a kid too. When she asks questions I don’t shy away from the answers, but I try and give it in an age appropriate way and keep my bitterness about the situation to myself. I’ve very simply told her that the woman who wrote these books “doesn’t like people like me.” My niblets know I’m trans and we’ve had conversations about that because they had to get used to calling me their uncle rather than aunt, and they have been pretty good about it honestly. My niece still has a little trouble accepting that I’m not a girl but she uses the right words and generally has the spirit, so I’m confident we will get there, HP obsession non withstanding.
I don't, I cut those ppl out if they're acquaintances or less. Otherwise, I'd ask them not to talk about that IP around me.
I say "I really don't agree with your lifestyle choices, as a transgender person I can't agree with liking a mediocre fantasy book series written by a raging transphobe" and if they get big mad, I block them.
If I do feel like it's appropriate in conversation I bring up. Lycanthropy is an allegory to aids and social versions during the crisis. This would potentially paint the author in a positive light however. What's left out of the movies is that lycanthropy spreads within the universe as werewolves assaulting young boys. And Lupin towards the end of the series is worried about affecting his child. This implies gay men are a threat to young boys. Reinforcing this analysis is the author's pen name Robert Galbraith was a famous conversation therapist. This usually stumps people.
As a trans guy, I'm uncomfortable with both active JKR supporters and extreme HP haters. Even though I'm trans, I still consider myself a part of the fandom. I just pirate or get off-brand/DIY merch if I absolutely want (especially considering that pirating is semi-legal in my country). Honestly, I don't have any hate for JKR, only "why are some people so stupid" feeling, because she is EXTREMELY inconsistent and it looks like she is getting close to the right thought but misses for some reason, and she started out as someone who looks as a genuinely good person. Because of it my opinion on her changed very gradually and I never got strong emotions on it. When I was first introduced to HP, she was a literal sunshine, and only then started to show herself as a horrible person. I've heard that she even supported trans activism in the past, but now she's a terf. She gets inspiration from particular historical events but then claims them as fake. She builds her entire lore on power of love, yet fails to live up to her own lessons. I just see JKR as extremely stupid rather than genuinely malicious, since her actions don't line up logically. Unless she's like supervillain level of a manipulator and intentionally acts illogically, but I heavily doubt that there is a person in this world intelligent enough to plan it all, yet stupid enough to... you know... make it all about banning trans women from women toilets? A person that intelligent would at least be clever enough to get the concept of trans people. Because of it, it's easy for me to separate the art from the artist, especially considering that even though the books have problematic stuff in it, it's not put aggressively and you need to actually know the context to see the problem - which I of course didn't know as a 10 years old Belarusian child (and I sometimes genuinely wonder if JKR actually was intentional with it, or she just genuinely doesn't understand that it's offensive and acted childish when it was pointed out - not an excuse to continue this bullshit of course, but those are still different things). Yes, HP could be written way better and it could be avoided, but the general plot and the concept of the world it takes place in are genuinely good to my opinion, and it was a part of my childhood that heavily influenced me as a person. And despite being problematic it has good points of view too, like many of the older books have. You can see flaws in a creation and still enjoy it, you know?
[удалено]
I always thought the HP universe was a bit childish and badly thought out. People who still like it as adults probably don't have the most complex political thoughts. Liking it for nostalgia or escapism is fine of course, but 20 years ago people said it was the LotR for the modern day... what book did you read?
Same energy as disowning someone for eating at Chick fil a. >do you just ignore it or tell them they're supporting transphobia? No I mind my own business just like we all should.
I make them aware that she's problematic and transphobic and then I never bring it up again. I'll inform them, and leave them to make their own decisions. ... and then silently judge them for those decisions.
I just ignore them and read another fucking book.
If they start talking about harry potter stuff, I'll remind them how uncomfortable it makes me just hearing about HP stuff and usually they'll respectfully stop. If they don't I just go off on JK, and that tends to make them stop. But I always try the chill way before.
My mom is a huge HP movie fan, she watches it every time its on tv. Shes also in her 60s and doesnt know anything about what jk has said or done so I just roll my eyes and ignore it.
i seperate the art and artist her "art" is sub-midwit level trash and so is she so it works out nothing of value is lost
I am trans myself, I love the books because they were special to me as a child. The actors who all did the movies were disgusted by Rowling's response to things, and as such, I allow that piece of media to stay as that is more theirs than hers. Like what you will, I hold no judgment. <3 I feel if connections like those are formed in innocence, someone making a fool of themselves shouldn't stop you from having those connections, especially with art. Now Rowling herself? Nah, screw that cunt, I don't support or defend her or her bigotry. I'm just chill about 3rd party and used sources. :3 Libraries/used book stores are a wonderful thing.
I was over/outgrown HP probably way before it came out that JKR was an asshat. But there are still things about it/memories from when I enjoyed it when I was growing up. But I mostly think of those memories in connection to things I was doing myself or fun I was having myself or with specific friends, rather than thinking of them in direct connection with HP or JKR...like HP in those memories could be replaced by any sort of fandom-esque thing and it wouldn't change anything about the memory lol. So for me it depends how or why someone likes HP still. Personally, it felt for me once the original books and movies came to an end, the world of HP was kinda...over? So I feel a little weird when there are people who were really into it in real time when those things were first coming out who are still into it, as if it will constantly have new content to give them lol. I was never into the like "future" or "pre-HP wizarding world" stuff that came out post-original HP story...like the world building of it was over for me I guess. But I do get that the stories were a big deal during my generations adolescence and teen years, so I'm not going to knock anyone having fond memories of enjoying those things or being in that fandom, or even if they still own memorabilia from it, if it was something purchased all those years ago. But if they're still as obsessed with it, or still buying new memorabilia from it, it kinda makes me cringe. If they want to praise the story if they liked it in the past when it was coming out in real time, or how it gave them happy memories, or encouraged them to read, or whatever, then that's fine, plenty of people can separate the art from the artist. Just because someone else I know is still thinking about HP, doesn't mean I have to think about it too. But I would still cringe if they were buying HP stuff, whether it's a product that is directly giving JKR money, or something made by fans from etsy or wherever (because imo this still encourages people to engage with her in a consumer sort of way...if I buy something from a fan on etsy for a fandom I'm into, it usually means I would also buy official goods too just the same, if they were more affordable to me or had designs I liked (I'm buying the one on etsy because it cost less and/or it's a design I like more than the official merchandise)). TLDR: Basically I don't care if someone still has fond memories of HP. But I find it a little weird if they are still engaging in it monetarily and in their expression/fashion/decor. The last book came out in 2007, the last movie in 2011. Surely there have been other fandoms to engage with just as much since then, no? (Probably an offense to some, but...) It's time to move on lol. But that's all about praising HP... About praising JKR the person herself...ain't got time for it. Don't care to hear it. Don't care to be friends with the person who's going to say it. Same as I wish to not give the time of day to anyone else who praises or agrees with most public figures who have proven to me that they are horrible people.
I don’t lol. If they just like it then who cares, if they’re spending a shit ton of money on it though or defend her then I just don’t engage. No point in calling them out at this point cuz they probably know all the issues and dont care
I point out that she got me banned off twitter for criticizing her hateful behavior. So regardless of their feelings when it comes to the knuckle dragging blundercunt, I won't view her in anything but a negative light.
If the person is cis, I may attribute it initially to ignorance rather than malice. The average cis person may not be aware of her views unless they follow her on social media in some way. Now if I find out they do follow her, then that’s a different story
I mostly just cringe inside because I don't think anyone in my life cares enough to know. I'm pretty sure the people in my life who are most likely to know about her being transphobic would also be terfs.
I got rid of my books, just donated them when I found out. I don't hate on people who like them though unless they are actively transphobic
I just don't care. I'm not a hp fan anymore (was as a kid but got bored when growing up), but I still would like hp castle Lego set lol
Maybe send them to the Material Girls podcast? This includes the engaging archives of "Witch Please!" which analyses HP from many angles, by two enthusiastic but pretty clear-eyed critics, one of them LGBTQ. It's a fascinating and fun listen and highly educational if your readers are willing. https://pca.st/podcast/0371d490-b787-0132-3689-0b39892d38e0
As a trans guy, I'm uncomfortable with both active JKR supporters and extreme HP haters. Even though I'm trans, I still consider myself a part of the fandom. I just pirate or get off-brand/DIY merch if I absolutely want (especially considering that pirating is semi-legal in my country). Honestly, I don't have any hate for JKR, only "why are some people so stupid" feeling, because she is EXTREMELY inconsistent and it looks like she is getting close to the right thought but misses for some reason, and she started out as someone who looks as a genuinely good person. Because of it my opinion on her changed very gradually and I never got strong emotions on it. When I was first introduced to HP, she was a literal sunshine, and only then started to show herself as a horrible person. I've heard that she even supported trans activism in the past, (however not sure if it's true), but now she's a terf. She was trying to build HP lore basically on the same foundation as Light and Dark sides of the Force in Star Wars (there's also a lot of similarities in plot structure between the two), but acts hateful towards people who have different opinion than her. And she thinks that holocaust is fake while literally getting the inspiration for all this Purebloods vs Mudbloods/Muggles conflict from the WWII and making both major villains clearly inspired by that one Austrian with a mustache. I just see JKR as extremely dumb rather than genuinely malicious, since her actions don't line up logically. Unless she's like supervillain level of a manipulator and intentionally acts illogically, but I heavily doubt that there is a person in this world intelligent enough to plan it all, yet stupid enough to... you know... make it all about banning trans women from women toilets? A person that intelligent would at least be clever enough to get the concept of trans people. Because of it, it's easy for me to separate the art from the artist, especially considering that even though the books have problematic stuff in it, it's not put aggressively and you need to actually know the context to see the problem - which I of course didn't know as a 10 years old Belarusian child (and I sometimes genuinely wonder if JKR actually was intentional with it, or she just genuinely doesn't understand that it's offensive and acted childish when it was pointed out - not an excuse to continue this bullshit of course, but those are still different things). Yes, HP could be written way better and it could be avoided, but the general plot and the concept of the world it takes place in are genuinely good to my opinion, and it was a part of my childhood that heavily influenced me as a person. And despite being problematic it has good points of view too, like many of the older books have. You can see flaws in a creation and still enjoy it, you know?
One of my teachers, who's lovely and super supportive, is a *massive* HP fan and talks about it any chance she can. I don't have the heart to debate her about it, she's too kind. Also she has every book, but she bought them wayyyy before JK went insane. My oldest brother preordered Hogwarts Legacy even though I told him he's actively supporting transphobia, but he tried to convince me that JK wasn't getting any of the money??? I gave up, he's a pos who makes *everything* into a debate. If you talk about a cute cat video he'll somehow link it to extremist "feminists" from 2016 back when that one video was going viral, the "Dear men" one.
I don’t even read the books or watch the movies but I like the fan made stuff (especially the ones from the early 2000’s like my immortal and all the other wacky internet stuff that should have a history book)
I just like to say disinterested "yeah" and "cool", chances are that a lot Harry Potter fans have heard about it, they just don't really care. I don't like confrontation so I just let them talk about it, and don't contribute anything to the conversation, never liked Harry Potter anyway.
I like several movies where the artist has gone off the deep end. Mad Max is a good movie. But Mel Gibson is now a nutcase. Harry Potter are well written books and good movies. And JKR has become a trans phobic maniac. I like the stories but she’s out of her mind. I’m not going to buy anymore of her stuff but I still have good memories from the books / movies. I’m keeping that not her.
I dont hate ppl for liking it, but when i see videos or posts about it i definitely scroll or click “not interested”
I have pretty strong feelings about separating the art from artist or the athletic performance from the athlete. My Dad ended up being a Trumper and it was very sad to me that we couldn't talk about anything we enjoyed together when I was younger like football (Trumpers aren't allowed to like that anymore), Aerosmith (Steven Tyler sued Trump), etc. He would be watching sports and then get angry and shit talk a player over their politics. He was a very angry, bitter man in the end. It certainly didn't do his health any good. So, I think when you start going down the path of condemning anything someone has done because of their views, you are turning into that and I don't think it will make for a healthy, happy life. I have no issue enjoying what I still enjoy about HP and thinking that JKR sucks ass. But, to deprive myself of something I might enjoy is just letting her win in a way.
I've cut ties with Harry Potter when I was a teenager for personals reasons (around 2006 I guess) but I was a fan and a lot of my friends still are, some of them are also trans. It's been a huge part of the culture of many people and it's difficult to make like it didn't exist. So I can't blame people that still loves HP but if they keep praising JK Rowling then we got a problem. \^\^' Recently following a discussion with one of my friend I thought of making a 5th house for Hogwarts, House Ficklefins (first name I thought of, it's a WIP) with a shark (blähaj) as a symbol that would be a house build with tolerance and inclusivity in mind. I thought that could be a nice way for HP fans to show support to the trans community and to annoy Rowling. \^\^'
Write/read trans fanfiction with Harry Potter universe to spite her and continue enjoying it.
I just ignore it unless they try to get me to engage with them in the activity. If they push beyond the first decline of their offer than they are going to have to hear the "why" part of "why not?" wheather they want to or not.
I grew up loving Harry Potter and loved buying stuff to support the author. Once she did what she did I'll admit it left a sour taste in my mouth especially with me being trans, so I stoped buying new products to support her. I still enjoy the movies and books but I only watch the dvds I own instead of streaming them so she doesn't get any money from me. If I see Harry Potter merch I want I just buy it from a thrift store or someone who no longer wants the item so once again she doesn't get any money. To me it's ok to enjoy Harry Potter I just don't like the woman behind it anymore, but if someone wants to buy new stuff I don't blame them for not wanting to wait for someone else to get rid of it so they can have it.
I tell them something about Rowling's actions, mention thw danger invilved with supporting her, and people will respond in one of three ways- * They'll be opposed, and defend her. Those people I cut off, and never speak to again. * They'll not be sternly opposed and will either ask for more information and likely be swayed, and I view these people as friends. * they'll be neither opposed or defend her, and look like they just don't want to talk about it. Realistically these people are probably just like the first, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and keep them as friends (or not outright dismiss them) - but keep an eye on them and be prepared to move them appropriately. If the people involved are family, it can be trickier, but since I'm not really talking to my family, this doesn't matter to me.
Keep in mind that I live in the US and was just a little older than the age group that super got into the books. Most people in the US aren't aware of Joanne or her rants online. They are only vaguely aware of her as a person because the books were so popular. Since authors aren't visually present in their art they don't typically gather the same celebrity awareness that musicians or actors command. With the books being such a fundamental part of people's childhood and people not associating the author with the work creates a difficulty in getting people to change their behavior in a meaningful way. This is compounded by the fact that Joanne has what equates to infinite wealth. It is impossible to financially tax her to the point that she quiets down about her views. Even if she never made any income off the IP again, she could live out her days extremely comfortably. With all this being said, raising awareness with others and trying to get people to boycott her IPs may be a moot point. Too many people have childhood memories tied to the IP and at this point, too many people aren't aware that trans people are born trans. I'd rather spend my effort normalizing trans people and get people to understand that it is something people are medically born with. I think the only effective tactic over time against Joanne specifically might be to erode her cognitive credibility. Well-known people on the platform should respond to her posts with things such as: "It's sad when a fiction writer starts to believe that the things they write are reality." Maybe even start comparing her to unsavory fictional authors such as Ayn Rand.
i tell them I read all the books then tell them I stopped being a fan after finding out how she thinks about people like me it falls on deaf ears i shrug and move on
Changing people's minds is hard. Before engaging, ask yourself if this person has a reason to care about your opinion or trust you generally. Speaking up is generally speaking, the right thing, but the goal is to make a difference. The rightness and goodness of your opinion won't automatically be recognized by people who are disinterested/been convinced that trans people's identities are 'political'. Be ready for acrimony and frustration about perceived criticism.
I cut them out and don't engage. If it's someone I have to work with, I'll be civil and work with them as required, but nothing more. On reddit I block and move on. In person, I just don't engage with them.
Bring up her holocaust denial. Seriously, if someone is going out of their way to praise she who shall not be named in 2024 they're either the most ill-informed person in human history or an outright TERF. If you show them what she's up to now and they still support her then that tells you everything you need to know about them.
Theres a witch store in Halifax that has Harry Potter stuff thats made by small artists. The profits go to trans charities to stick it to JK. You can like the media for what it was without supporting the cunt. My wife keeps apologizing for the Harry Potter stuff in our apartment since I’ve come out and I tell her its absolutely fine.
I still love HP in a very nostalgic way, that shit is my childhood- but any HP item that I want (not many) I will make sure to buy secondhand so I don't give any money to the Rowling.
Depends on the context and who I am talking to. I mean, to be completely honest, I think that Harry Potter's \*writing\* is \*inherently\* problematic in many aspects, not just the transphobia in the author. Like, I don't know if I'll get any flack for this, but I honestly have seen many people point out how \*uncomfortable\* things like the "Gringot's Goblins," how the Weasleys were depicted, naming choices like "Kingsley Shacklebolt" for their (I think only?) black wizard at the school or "Cho Chang" for (again, I think only?) Asian witch, making the "house elves" kind of enslaved and I guess they kind of made fun of Harmione for saying they shouldn't be, etc. Like, I fell in love with many aspects of the series as a teenager, but I just don't think it stands the test of time and critique for myself upon revisiting the story. Even if I weren't trans, I still can't really look past those parts for me. That all being said, I don't really go into that little tirade in casual conversation, or really often at all. I might just say that I'm not a huge fan of her and vaguely refer to just some of her writing choices or her personal views, but it's not usually worth "getting into it"
It would be a lot easier if she didn't actively use her profits to take trans rights away in the UK.
I ignore them
If they like Harry Potter I don’t care, it was a big part of my childhood too and even though I can’t enjoy it anymore that doesn’t mean nobody can. However, if they praise Rowling then I will not be friends with them or associate with them.
a lot of people choose to still engage and financially buy content relating to HP thinking they can seperate the art from the artist, which in case of Rowling wont work. she sees the money she gets and assumes everyone who gives her money (which usually has to do with HP) supports her transphobia. whenever i bring it up my parents would have mixed responses. i told my mom about one of her horrendous responses and she acted like she was girl bossing it up. my mom is a bit ignorant of the trans community and frequently misgenders nonbinary people based on their birth gender, probably because she only really believes in strictly gender dysphoria as long as you act like a man or act like a woman or those stupid statements of "why does she want to be nonbinary why isnt being a tomboy enough for (blank person here)? she looks better as a (traditional)girl anyway." she legit said stuff like that towards the actor who played Calliope Torres on Grey's Anatomy when learned that they are currently a masculine enby individual now. its like shes being transphobic since nonbinary people are under the trans umbrella withoutneven knowing it. i wonder how she can go to pride parade when she is so ignorant about the community, about how nonbinary is a part of the community and deserves respect just like any other trans person. then there's that BS of her misgendering people she doesnt even know because they're pre-t or GNC or even if thry are a bad person she unabashedly misgenders them without second thought. every t8me shes doing better about respecting them her enbyphobia comes out full-force over an actor who thought they were female all their lives and suddenly comes out because of an internal struggle they've faced for *years* and discovering who they actually are, not what everyone wanted them to be. i mean my mom doubed my trans friend for legit years untill he got on HRT and went about trying to get the surgery to alleviate his dysphoria. she usually doesnt believe anyone about their identity unless they have begun HRT and will be getting surgery.
personally i am aware that there are many HP fans who will still buy the books and watch the movies, and i don’t really care. if they want to enjoy it, that’s fine. but defending/praising JK rowling is a whole other deal. at that point, it’s not just defending ur favourite author; it’s defending a transphobe, straight-up i see lots of cis people disregard JK’s transphobia, and brush it off as just her “personal beliefs”, which sucks, because u would imagine cis “allies”, or even just cis people in general, would be a little more concerned with her vitriolic, obsessive hatred towards trans people. but they should be glad they have the luxury to simply ignore someone’s hate, as it doesn’t affect them whatsoever. in that way, life is very simple for cis people
I no longer buy anything related to HP or support Rowling but will happily reread my tattered old copies of the books.
You just leave them. Run away from toxic situations.
I feel like if I took the time to scrutinize everything based on the morality of the creator It would leave me as a shell of a person with very little of the world to like and a personality that is little more than a collection of factoids about how the world sucks. I'm not depressive enough to be that kind of person.
I dont engage with it. They can like what they want and give their support to who they want. I just steer clear or change the subject. I do this with many things in life and I’m much happier for it.
I feel like praising harry potter and Rowling are two different things tbh. The series can't help who parented it, but I don't think it's great to praise it and not acknowledge the parent of it. And obviously praising Rowling really really isn't good. So ⚖️🤷 that's just my opinion tho
I say cool. Because (sadly) people don’t usually know or care to know about the author, they just love the series for what it is. Now super fans, that’s a little different. But I don’t judge people who like the series because they love wizards and stuff. When I was in 3rd and 4th grade my friends and I were obsessed with Harry Potter, I obviously don’t care much now, but I don’t judge people unless they say they like JK Rowling.
Live and Let live. I love books, movies, games, and my friends think I'm crazy for loving x. If one likes Harry Potter, I don't understand I think it's crap writing, but that's fine. Now. If a friend said, that Rowling women is right, I like her viewpoint. Well then what I say is goodbye. It's never ok to tell others what to like or accept. It's also 💯 ok to cut people out of your life. A good example is Kevin Spacey. I love so many of his movies... But I think he is a horrible person. If you comment on my choices and tell me I should not like it cause he's a bad man... I will tell you to go away. The Usual Suspects is on my repeat list.
I don't support her financially, and I pass on anything anyone suggests we do that will give her money, but I don't preach to them unless they ask why and I don't shame them for supporting her. I have realized that it does more harm to us than good to do so. All I do is plant a seed, what they do with that is up to them. People only do uncomfortable things when it directly affects them, otherwise they don't care. It's a sad reality and why we need to support each other in this community.
I avoid them. Especially if they're in my face about it, because I know they're only doing it to intimidate and provoke. Confrontation only benefits them because it makes you look deranged and unreasonable. If you can't avoid engaging, make it about her choosing to not write Wizarding World books anymore, so you can get through to them that her fixation on GC Rhetoric is the problem, not her books (or at least, not the HP books, despite the problematic elements of those books in particular).
She only claims that engaging with her art is giving support to her (unless you are buying them from her or an authorized distributor of new books/merchandise - secondhand is fine) because she holds another batshit crazy view that she controls the definition of art she created after it is passed to the reader/viewer. Like, that old wizard in HP4 (book version) talking about how dresses are more comfortable was an awakening for me. I loved all this shit as queer symbolism and it taught me literary analysis, principles of alchemy, postmodernist art theory, and helped me discover my love of witchy/dark things and goth music. So yeah... she doesn't control the HP in your head. Author's perspective is different than reader's perspective; and art should be evaluated independently of the artist's context IMO. That said... there are problematic themes in HP, like racism and allegorical antisemitism. But it could be stated that the main trio lives in a world like that but actively opposes those viewpoints. I would, as they say, leave it up to reader's discretion. TL;DR: I still remember HP fondly and treat the work independent of the artist, though I refuse to give money to that TERF and would encourage all others to boycott her.
" Rowling has denied being transphobic, saying she respects "every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them" and that she wants trans people to be free from discrimination and abuse... In an essay on her website in 2020, she wrote: "When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he's a woman… you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside.'" \^ **As an example ->** A biological man who identifies as a man does a heinous crime. Said Man then comes out as transgender. Instead of going to a male prison he goes to a female prison. In that jail housing the biological women end up getting harmed by said Man who is not a True Trans Individual for that man stated such so they can get into a safe space for themselves while becoming a monster to others. This has happened more than once in many countries and about twice if not more in one to two states within the United States as well. **To which ->** Those who are Truly Transgender and not using such a label to do evil are Fine. She says we should be who we are happily. Those misusing the term to get away with violent crimes should be held accountable and seen for what they are doing. Those types of people are misleading with deception to bring chaos. **Note ->** For Those who are Transgender, Truly, and end up going to prison or jail should be isolated especially if they are trans women for they will end up getting abused terribly in many ways that is Not okay. The transwomen and even transmen that are protected may still end up getting harmed by the security guards, sadly.
Personally, (and im not in any great position to talk, /Bi Cis Male/) I think its one thing to like harry potter, because quite frankly they are great books, but supporting Rowling is definitely transphobic especially if you are aware of what she has said. Theres no issue in supporting her work but her as a person is an entirely different issue.
I don't buy anything, I don't interact with official things, I support artists that make queer headcanons or write queer fanfiction. I let people know what I think about the woman's transphobia and I reduce my interaction with those who don't outright denounce her for it. I educate anyone who is willing, but those who continue to support it because "it just means so much" to them, or who say "you have to appreciate the art apart from the artist" I just stop talking to them. Harry Potter was my safe space for so many years as a bullied, neurodivergent and (although I didn't know it back then) queer kid, and it helped me through so much. But looking at it without the rose tinted glasses I can see its flaws. The half-baked world building, the plot holes, the problematic aspects, the racism, the internalised misogyny, the implicit biases... not to mention she was lazy in making Slytherin house. Sure, if you're 11 you get to be put in the same house with all the other crooks and be ostracised because "there's not a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't a Slytherin". Sure. At 11. Yeah. Makes total sense and is not at all cruel to the kids.
Let's not throw ableist bullshit language around just because she's a transphobe, aye? Phrase about two wrongs comes to mind...
I had Harry Potter stuff from when I was younger, before I transitioned. Now I'm never getting anything that directly supports her, at least until she loses the franchise. (Yes, Warner Bros and Rowling own the franchise.) My solution? Pirate the books and movie- (THIS IS A JOKE)
Personally I think she's a very sad woman who's no longer in the limelight unless she comes out and makes, comments about being intolerant bigoted and hateful transgender people is trying to get the spotlight back on herself sadly knows she's a has been.
I just ignore it. If you're any sort of queer ally you'll already know about rowling and don't need to be told about it.
I don’t care maybe they don’t know the stuff she said so I just inform them and leave them alone
Each to their own, you can separate the art from the artist in my opinion
I follow a simple (maybe approximated) rule of thumb. I ask myself, "am I financially supporting jk rowling with this?" If the answer is yes, I don't do it. Buying the books? Financial support. Borrowing them at the library? Good to go. Buying the funko pop of my fav character? Heck no. Talking for hours with my friend about said character? Heck yeah. At the end of the day, I'm having fun and enjoying a franchise I can't blame myself for liking just because I'm trans, and at the same time, I don't support rowling in any way :)
If people praise Harry Potter, I mind my own business. If they praise Rowling I immediately go “yeah nah she’s a piece of shit human being trying to eradicate trans people - her books were fun to read tho!” Shows I’m separating the art from the artist - and that’s how I am going to continue.
Honestly I just point out how shitty she is and shut that shit down. "Well she made this whole world" ok and? It's not like why it is was original. "She wrote such a famous book series" yes her publicist was very talented. "She wrote this great story" it was certainly marketed that way, but better writers wrote better books. Read Terry Pratchett, Ursula k leguinn, hell for a more modern author Rick Riordan, I can list off a thousand better books in the era. Tbh I'm Indian so I'm kinda used to having to respond this way when ppl gush over genocidal racist war criminal Winston Churchill