Why We Can’t “Separate the Art from the Artist” - Especially When It Comes to Harry Potter

Let’s talk about something that keeps coming up - the idea that we can still enjoy Harry Potter while distancing ourselves from J.K. Rowling’s views.

We’ve had more than a few conversations about this recently, with friends, with wedding suppliers, and within our community - and we think it’s time to break it down clearly, especially from a Trans-supportive perspective.

Because here's the thing: the notion of "separating the art from the artist" might feel comfortable, but it's no longer a valid or neutral stance. And when the artist in question is actively using her platform to harm a marginalised community? That comfort comes at a cost.

Let’s get into why that is.

1. J.K. Rowling Still Profits from the Franchise

Every time someone buys a book, streams a movie, picks up a new Harry Potter game, or visits the theme parks, Rowling earns money. Whether people like it or not, she continues to benefit financially, and socially, from every ounce of support the franchise receives.

So even if your intention is to “just enjoy the story,” the outcome is that the person behind that story continues to gain power and platform - power she’s used to speak out against the rights of Trans people.

2. Rowling Is the Brand - She’s Not Separate from It

This isn’t like enjoying a painting by a long-dead artist. Rowling is very much alive, active, and still heavily involved in the expansion and protection of the Harry Potter brand. She inserts herself into canon updates, has control over major decisions, and constantly ties her personal beliefs to the themes of her work.

You can’t separate the art when the artist refuses to step out of the spotlight.

3. Her Views Are Deeply Harmful - Not Just “Different”

This goes beyond a difference of opinion.

J.K. Rowling has aligned herself with anti-trans movements, shared misinformation, supported policies that hurt the trans community, and used her platform to amplify fear and division. This isn’t theoretical, her actions and words directly impact the safety and well-being of Trans people, especially in the UK where trans rights are already under attack.

When someone repeatedly uses their influence to marginalise a group, continuing to support their work becomes a form of complicity.

4. For Trans People, the Harm Isn’t Abstract - It’s Personal

Many LGBTQ+ folks (especially Trans folks) once found refuge and magic in Harry Potter. But now, those stories come with a deep, painful sting, knowing that the person who created them doesn’t believe in your right to exist freely, safely, and without question.

That trauma cannot be brushed aside in favour of nostalgia. For many, the magic is no longer escapism - it’s a trigger.

5. The Privilege of “Separating” Doesn’t Exist for Everyone

Saying “I separate the art from the artist” is something you can only say if the harm doesn’t directly affect you. It’s a luxury to be able to ignore the creator’s actions because they don’t impact your daily life, your identity, your safety.

Marginalised communities don’t get that option. Trans folks can’t pretend it’s “just a story” when the person behind it is using their enormous platform to question your humanity.

6. True Allyship Means Making Uncomfortable Choices

If you say you stand with the Trans community, but still publicly support and uplift the Harry Potter franchise? That’s a contradiction.

Allyship isn't about convenience - it’s about action. It’s about choosing values over comfort. It's about saying, “This matters more than my love for a book series.” And honestly? That’s the bare minimum.

7. There Are So Many Other Magical Stories to Support

The beautiful truth is, the magic didn’t start and stop with Harry Potter. There is a whole universe of fantasy, wonder, and escapism out there written by Queer, Trans, Black, Brown, neurodivergent, disabled, and otherwise marginalised authors. Stories that are just as spellbinding, world-building, and heart-filling, but don’t come with harm attached.

Authors like:

• Aiden Thomas (Cemetery Boys, The Sunbearer Trials)

• N.K. Jemisin (The Broken Earth Trilogy)

• T.J. Klune (The House in the Cerulean Sea)

• Rebecca Roanhorse (Black Sun)

• Malinda Lo (Ash, Last Night at the Telegraph Club)

• R.F. Kuang (The Poppy War, Babel)

…and so many more.

Supporting these creators means you’re putting your money and your heart into stories that represent our communities, our struggles, and our joy, without compromise. These stories are magical because they include us, not in spite of it.

Let's take a deeper look into the kind of organisations that Rowling has been supporting;

💷 Financial Contributions

For Women Scotland (FWS)

In February 2024, Rowling donated £70,000 to For Women Scotland, a group that challenged the inclusion of trans women in the legal definition of "woman" under the Gender Representation on Public Boards Act. This donation supported FWS's legal appeal to the UK Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled that "woman" refers exclusively to biological females in this context PinkNews.​

Allison Bailey

Rowling financially supported Allison Bailey, a barrister and co-founder of the LGB Alliance, during Bailey's legal action against Stonewall. Bailey alleged that Stonewall's diversity training infringed upon her gender-critical beliefs. Rowling's support included a donation to Bailey's legal fund Reddit.​

📣 Public Endorsements

LGB Alliance

While no public record confirms a financial donation, Rowling has expressed support for the LGB Alliance. In a video message to the organisation's conference, she praised their stance on sex-based rights YouTube. The LGB Alliance has been criticised for its exclusionary views on transgender individuals.​

Beira’s Place

In 2022, Rowling co-founded Beira’s Place, a sexual violence support service in Edinburgh that serves only cisgender women. The organisation excludes trans women from its services, a policy that has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates The Guardian.​

Examples of J.K. Rowling’s tweets and statements that have been widely criticised as transphobic by LGBTQ+ advocates, trans people, and allies.

These comments contributed to the ongoing discourse around her views on gender identity. While she argues that her concerns are about protecting women’s rights, her framing and tone have repeatedly been seen as harmful to the trans community.

Here are some notable examples:

📌 1. "People who menstruate" tweet (June 6, 2020)

J.K. Rowling tweeted in response to an article that used the inclusive phrase "people who menstruate":

“'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

This tweet mocked gender-inclusive language, suggesting that the word “woman” was being erased - despite the fact that this language is used to include trans men and non-binary people who menstruate. This was seen as the start of her very public campaign against trans-inclusive terminology.

📌 2. Essay defending gender-critical views (June 10, 2020)

Rowling published a lengthy essay on her website where she doubled down on her stance. She expressed concern about the "new trans activism," dismissed the idea of transitioning as a result of social contagion, and mischaracterised gender-affirming healthcare for youth.

“I’m concerned about the huge explosion in young women wishing to transition and also about the increasing numbers who seem to be detransitioning…”

This essay further alienated trans people and allies, who criticised it for spreading misinformation and fuelling moral panic.

📌 3. Liking tweets that call trans women “men”

Rowling has liked and followed accounts that refer to trans women as "men in dresses" or "men pretending to be women." She has been seen engaging with tweets that mock trans activists and use gender-critical terminology.

📌 4. Mocking inclusive language again (July 2020)

In response to an article that used the term "individuals with a cervix," Rowling tweeted:

“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased...”

This tweet was seen as denying the existence and validity of trans and non-binary identities. It echoes a key stance in gender-critical ideology that dismisses gender identity in favour of a rigid, binary view of sex.

📌 5. Sarcastic tweet comparing hormone therapy to antidepressants (2020)

“Many health professionals are concerned that young people struggling with their mental health are being shunted towards hormones and surgery when this may not be in their best interests.”

Critics said this played into dangerous misinformation about gender-affirming healthcare, particularly for youth, and invalidated the decisions of trans individuals and their doctors.

These examples are not exhaustive but represent some of the most cited and harmful tweets that have led the LGBTQ+ community to call Rowling’s views transphobic. While she insists she is defending women’s rights, her repeated framing of trans inclusion as a threat to cisgender women and her platforming of gender-critical voices has caused significant hurt and exclusion.

So, No - We Can’t Separate the Art from the Artist

Because the artist is still here.

Because the artist is still profiting.

Because the artist is still causing harm.

This isn’t about “cancel culture.” This is about protecting our community. It’s about holding people accountable for their words and actions. And it’s about making a conscious choice to stop investing in harm - even if it means letting go of something we once loved.

We can grieve the loss of Harry Potter and still move forward with clarity and purpose. We can make room for new stories. And we can send a clear message: Trans lives matter more than nostalgia.

Let’s do better - because our community deserves it.