“Harry Potter” author JK Rowling has sparked a fresh controversy after returning the Ripple of Hope Award given to her by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization in December 2019, following criticism from Kerry Kennedy. Kerry is the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, and the president of the organization.
“During June 2020 – LGBTQ Pride Month – and much to my dismay, JK Rowling posted deeply troubling transphobic tweets and statements,” Kennedy posted on the organization’s website on August 3. “On June 6, she tweeted an article entitled ‘Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who are menstruating.’ She wrote cheerfully and dismissively about transgender identity: “People who are menstruating. I’m sure there was a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Kennedy said she spoke with Rowling “to express my deep disappointment that she has chosen to use her remarkable gifts to create a story that undermines the identities of trans and non-binary people, and the validity and integrity of ‘ undermines the entire transgender community – one that suffers disproportionately from violence, discrimination, harassment and exclusion and as a result experiences high rates of suicide, suicide attempts, homelessness, and mental and physical harm.In particular, black trans women and trans youth are targeted. ”
On Thursday, Rowling responded with a statement posted on her website.
“Because of the very serious conflict of views between myself and RFKHR, I feel I have no option but to return the Ripple of Hope Award given to me last year,” the author said. “I’m deeply saddened that RFKHR felt compelled to accept this statement, but no price or honor, as my admiration for the person for whom it was mentioned means so much to me that I would lose the right to the dictates. of following my own conscience. ”
Rowling said Kennedy’s statement “incorrectly implied that I was transphobic, and that I was responsible for harm to trans people.”
“Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” stars who previously distanced themselves from Rowling’s comments about the transgender community include Eddie Redmayne, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
In July, Variety reported that Rowling’s book sales were lagging behind despite a broader boom in the publishing world.
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