So you think you can separate JK Rowling’s work in Harry Potter and her transphobic remarks? Think again!
Rowling recently responded to a tweet from a fan asking if she’s bothered by the LGBTQ+ audience she has lost since spewing transphobic remarks on social media. The fan asked: “How do you sleep at night knowing you’ve lost a whole audience from buying your books?”
In a tweet shared on Thursday, October 13, Rowling issued the following response:
“I read my most recent royalty cheques and find the pain goes away pretty quickly.”
In other words, Rowling really said that she doesn’t care about offending trans people and losing LGBTQ+ fans as long as she’s still making money.
This is a direct jab at LGBTQ+ people who have tried to keep her works and her statements as separate things. At the end of the day, Rowling will keep spreading transphobia and alienating queer fans as long as her checks are still clearing.
The bulk of Rowling’s earnings come not only from the published Harry Potter books, but also her royalty checks from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies, theme park rides at Universal Studios, and other licensed products.
It’s a huge shame that the author of a beloved media franchise like Harry Potter turned out to be this kind of person and that she almost seems proud of it — as long as she keeps being rich.
