JK Rowling faces backlash after saying ‘there are no trans children’

JK Rowling is facing backlash for her controversial views on transgender issues, including the recent claim that there are “no transgender children.”

Her comments have left the author at the center of another social media storm months after she was criticized for her comments about boxer Imane Khelife.

Despite JK Rowling’s comments, HBO has defended her role in the upcoming Harry Potter series, saying her creative contribution was invaluable.

Rowling has faced backlash in recent years for her outspoken views on gender and women’s rights, and now the “Harry Potter” author has sparked controversy again with her recent comments, claiming that “trans children don’t exist” and the idea rejected that individuals can be born in the wrong body.

In a post on

She reiterated, “There are only adults like you who are willing to sacrifice the health of minors to reinforce your belief in an ideology that will end up doing more harm than lobotomies and false memory syndrome combined.”

Rowling’s statement sparked a wave of reactions across X (formerly Twitter).

Supporters thanked the author for defending what they saw as the welfare of children. One user wrote: “‘Thank you for being a strong voice for protecting children.”

Another commented: “Thank you for using your voice and popularity to shed light on the truth and save children from life-changing mistakes.”

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

One critic sarcastically questioned her authority on the subject, commenting: “You are also a medical expert. I didn’t know that. This thing that everyone is famous for something feels the need to act as an expert on something else… makes me crazy!”

Another person remarked: “I didn’t know my partner didn’t exist! I don’t think she was ever a trans kid, seriously. What do you say to the many people who have become younger and now lead happy lives?”

Another person said: “I remember Margaret Thatcher saying exactly that about gays and lesbians in the late 80s. What a way to use your voice and platform. Have you ever thought about actually taking care of women? They got involved with some of the worst misogynists instead.

Earlier this year, Rowling said that former colleagues who had publicly distanced themselves from her because of her views on transgender issues had reached out to her privately to “check whether they were still friends.”

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

Despite her controversial stance, Rowling has previously claimed that she supports the transgender community. According to the Daily MailIn June 2020, she announced that she “loves trans people,” but noted that “erasing the concept of sex deprives many of the opportunity to meaningfully talk about their lives.”

Since then, however, Rowling has become increasingly critical of transgender people and gender-affirming surgeries.

In August this year, she caused a stir on the Internet after she made comments about Algerian boxer Imane Khelife, who competed in the women’s 66kg (welterweight) boxing competition at the 2024 Olympics and won the gold medal.

Rowling ran into an uproar when she described the boxer, who had previously been disqualified from another competition for failing to comply with gender eligibility rules, as “a man who knows he is being protected by a misogynistic sports establishment.”

Khelife has since filed a lawsuit with French authorities naming Rowling and Elon Musk over their alleged “acts of serious cyber harassment.”

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

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

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

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

In an interview with NewsweekEvan Nierman, CEO of PR firm Red Banyan, discussed the value of Rowling’s support from Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO’s parent company.

He noted: “By publicly supporting JK Rowling, Warner Bros. is investing in a wildly creative and successful author rather than taking a public stance on the controversial transgender issue.”

Meanwhile, cultural analyst and author Areej Shaikh suggested that while Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) endorsement of Rowling may reflect a shift in how companies approach cancel culture, it does not represent a victory for Rowling in the broader culture debate.

“This decision suggests a shift toward greater public support for controversial figures when their creative influence is valued, but that does not necessarily mean Rowling has ‘won’ the culture wars,” she said.

Shaikh also noted that the studio appears to be prioritizing “the cultural and financial history of the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise over the divisive controversy” that plagues Rowling.

“This strategy implies that instead of taking clear positions, companies may now pursue a cancel culture with a greater focus on striking a balance between public opinion and creative input,” the analyst concluded.