J.K. Rowling recently came across what she called a wild argument online and decided to share it on her social media.
From advocating for women’s rights and safe spaces to firmly opposing trans activism, the creator of the Harry Potter series has recently made several statements on the topic, many of which have been viewed as controversial.
Because of this, she often faces criticism from commenters online.
J.K. Rowling Shared an Argument She Found About the New Pope That Sparked Reactions
People on X were in a frenzy and actively posting on Saturday, when Robert Prevost was elected as the new Pope following the passing of the late Pope Francis.
At the time, J.K. Rowling posted a tweet about gender identity, a topic she has been speaking on for years.
This particular post or comment (she didn’t specify which) that she read about Pope Leo XIX was something she found especially absurd. She posted:
“You think you’ve heard the last word in bats*** gender identity arguments and then you see a post saying that using the new Pope’s title instead of his birth name is exactly the same as accepting that a man is a woman if he says he is.”
Rowling criticized the argument, which likened addressing the new Pope by his title to affirming a person’s gender identity when it differs from their biological sex. Based on the replies under her post, many X users seemed to agree with her.
One user said, “A man can become Pope. A man cannot become a woman. Did these people miss the point of what we have been arguing all these years?”
Another added, “Anyone can change their name if they like. Doesn’t change anything fundamental about them. Just like a man changing his name to one thought of as female does not make him female.”
One user even claimed that trans individuals operate like a cult, saying, “The fact that they are comparing their mental illness to the Pope's title further proves how they are operating under a religious extremist/cult-like mentality.”
Some commenters, however, challenged Rowling and offered a different take on the argument she mocked.
“I would have thought an author would understand words better. The argument is that if you can handle the pontiff choosing a new name, then you should be able to handle people's choice of pronouns. But you be you and change the context with your biased interpretation.” A user who disagreed with Rowling said.
“I so love your profoundly fabulous imagination, but I have no idea why the transgender issue so grabs your attention. It is a TINY fraction of humanity and really not the business of anyone but those affected directly. Why do you care so much and why so negative? I am confused.” another follower noted.
J.K. Rowling on Essiedu and Casting Rumors
J.K. Rowling has been under fire for years for her statements and lengthy essays about the transgender community, which many find harmful.
However, her response to the rumors of firing Paapa Essiedu after disagreeing with him shows how much she still values free speech.
On Monday, she finally addressed the speculations on X, stating, "I don't have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn't exercise it if I did."
Essiedu, who has also received negative reactions from fans for being cast as Severus Snape, affirmed his support for trans rights by signing the open letter that criticized the UK Supreme Court’s decision to no longer legally define “trans women” as “women.”
"I don't believe in taking away people's jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine," Rowling added.
The actor is set to portray the potions master once played by Alan Rickman in the upcoming HBO TV series Harry Potter, which is set to air sometime in 2026.
Other cast members who signed the letter include Eddie Redmayne, who played Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts spin-off films, and Katie Leung, who portrayed Cho Chang in the original Harry Potter movies.
Although she stated that Essiedu is free to support whichever group he likes, Rowling still does not seem to forgive the main cast of the original film series, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who have kept their distance from her after her statements gained widespread backlash.
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