A Few Words on JK Rowling

[@neverfinishedstory]

I love that the generation who learned about tolerance, good things and desire to fight evil from growing up on harry potter books is neville enough to stand up to her now.

[@nightowl8477]

Yeah, we all get stuck in our ways after a certain point. It's just important you get stuck in the right way.

[@MobyDicksWife]

@@nightowl8477 It can be that now she is mega rich she is surrounded in an echo chamber of people telling her everything she says is wonderful.

[@sirtoby4939]

@@nightowl8477 No we don't. That's just an excuse.

[@nightowl8477]

@@sirtoby4939 - yes, we do. We all do, no one'a superior in that regard. Just make sure you properly understand shit before you get it ingrained into you. Evidently, JK never learnt to understand gender. Doesn't matter how much "research" she does, everything she reads will either be proof of her theory or bullshit.

[@Halvtand]

Please work hard to make "is Neville enough" a common saying.

[@evaserration6223]

I'm totally on board with renaming her 'She Who Must Not Be Named'.

[@lwaves]

I just mentioned that in my own post but wondered if it was too light-hearted. It's nice to see someone thinking on the same lines. I also considered Hagbitch and Rowlemort.

[@wolf1066]

Hehehe!

[@AnGawain]

@@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770 Woooo, good one!!

[@mrcritical6751]

Elijah Ford that’s an insult to Umbridge

[@shyathena34]

No don't do that, it gives her too much power like it did to Voldemort in the books. Harry never called him he who should not be named it was always Lord Voldemort. I will still call her JK Rowling or Ms. Rowling. I won't let her make me as hateful as she is.

[@sadfaery]

I do take some comfort in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts cast members who have spoken out against her transphobia and in support of the trans community. Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Chris Rankin, Katie Leung, Ivanna Lynch, Eddie Redmayne ... This does help, because when I engage with the Potterverse now (though no longer financially), it's for what they bring to it, not for its unfortunately transphobic creator.

[@lwaves]

I find myself saying this a lot here but it's a case of separating the art from the artist (if you can). The creator did wrong, not the work they created. The only responses I've read in full are Dan's and Eddie's of which both were excellent. It can't have been easy for them to do that, especially for Dan as he is so closely linked to that role but it's was correct that they did it.

[@nico2605]

@@lwaves the actress who played Hermione in the play, Katie Leung (who played Cho Chang and merely responding by sharing links to donate to organizations for the support of trans people), Bonnie Wright and Emma Watson have also spoken out agaisnt her

[@avib9525]

Daniel is awesome. I’m thinking of him and the other actors whenever someone mentions HP from now on

[@Caterfree10]

Rupert Grint also spoke out against Rowling’s bs today.

[@maurinet2291]

@@lwaves And I thought Dan dealt with that aspect well and thoughtfully in his response.

[@raymondmarlborough7830]

Hey Nathaniel, I wandered into the council by accident one night and decided to stay because of the real passion that you had for your subject. You may say that you are just running the meetings but speaking as a member of the council, we value you as the unique person that you are and feel your pain and send our love. We couldn't have these meetings without you.

[@ChannelPup]

Well to quote the best character from the best Harry Potter book "Heck the transphobes". I've never read Harry Potter.

[@flerkensgalaxy5779]

Channel Pup! I've Never Seen You On This Channel! I'm Glad To See The Community Coming Together To Fix Some Issues, This Is One That Definitely Does Need To Be Helped

[@wannabeiroh4658]

Flerken And Porg: Exotic Pets And More uh, word of advice: you don't need to start every word with a capital letter. Only names (names of places, people etc.) and the first word in a sentence.

[@dangreen3868]

something that struck me about this is how used to this stuff I am. when I saw the post that JKR made I laughed. I'm just so used to being hated, to having my existence be a problem to people who've never met me. It just doesn't shock me anymore to hear that someone who's work has made me happy hates people like me. I've been told I'm evil, that I'm going to hell, that I'm a danger to society by just existing. it's depressing, but I kinda had to stop caring, otherwise I wouldn't be able to handle it. on a happier note, what did make me happy was the wave of support that came after this. Rick Riordan responded by starting a thread recommending works by trans authors. Daniel Radcliff responded by showing his support to all the people who this hurt. Noelle Stevenson responded by saying that she ra wasn't for transphobes and donating to trans charities. the amount of love and support that comes after someone reveals their bigotry never ceases to make me happy and give me hope.

[@borjankosarac3645]

Rick Riordan, as a cisgender white man, is a gift to the world honestly. He does not always get it right, but he tries, always.

[@tjz9218]

I love you Nathaniel! I'm sorry JK Rowling has hurt you. She sucks. You are beautiful. You are valid. You are loved.

[@lwaves]

Why do those words make me think of Carrie Hope Fletcher?

[@shyathena34]

Agreed it sucks even more she had to do this during pride month.

[@ClaraFinn]

I am so exhausted and fed up of this woman. Why can’t she just shut up and leave us alone?

[@SeymourDisapproves]

Are you people being obnoxious on purpose, or are you all just effortlessly obtuse? Sure, J.K. Rowling isn't breaking down trans people's doors to scream at them, but that's neither the reason that people are upset, nor the only way to hurt somebody. "Why can't she leave us alone?" is referring to the fact that J.K. Rowling is someone who still has a very large platform and who is using it to promote and embolden transphobia. Sure, you can ignore J.K. Rowling's Twitter specifically, but there's no guarantee that you're going to be able to ignore every single person that has been influenced by or encouraged to crawl out of the TERF-y woodwork because of her actions and statements. J.K. Rowling knows all too well that she is a public figure whose words to not exist in a vacuum, and yet she took time out of her day to disclose her bigotry towards an already marginalized and largely misunderstood community. She has used her reach to spread intolerance, and it is guaranteed to inform at least some people's perspectives, words, and actions towards trans people and the trans community. The world has been made worse because Rowling couldn't just shut up and leave well enough alone.

[@wolf1066]

@@SeymourDisapproves I couldn't agree more! It's not like JK Rowling is some random unknown spouting shit in a pub, she's a famous person with a very large platform expounding her views to the world, empowering bigots and giving public support and validation to their narrow-minded views. She could easily STFU and keep her TERF viewpoint to herself, accepting that there are those out there who are different and have a right to be who they are. Instead, she uses her platform and fame to promote her support of a rampant bigot and then writes a 3600-word rant about how allowing transwomen into women's toilets is throwing open the doors to allow sexual predators into women's toilets. That's seriously fucked. What next? Ban lesbians from using women's public loos "in case they proposition the straight women"? The majority of the world is focusing on the problem of systemic racism and violence, JK Rowling's main focus: "don't let anyone who has, or had, a penis in women's toilets because they're all rapists".

[@BlueHooloovoo]

Then don't listen to her. Not a hard concept. This is the problem with social media. Too many people with too many opinions and bias. If you allow it to affect you then it will only make you miserable and that helps no one.

[@MsHildur90]

As I understand it she gets flooded on Twitter with hate, so she is allowed to talk about it.. And just unfollow her, I did a long time ago because I got so tired of her George Lucas-tendences =P She is allowed to not think exactly the way you do, and even tho some say so on Twitter, she never said she hated trans people or didn't think they were real.

[@gaaraxnaru]

@Skeptic Psychologist the process is called dog whistling. You don't have to outright be or encourage violence towards the minority to encourage violence against minority. Simply by being suggestive, likewhat Rowling was doing with her unnecessary comments is enough to bolster people into seeking those different as them as sub-humans. Her comment was uncalled for and irrelevant. Do you even know what her teeet said?

[@riogyde3452]

You're more then the person who runs the meetings. You're our friend and we're your family

[@jessali_]

I'm never moving on from the HP world. I'll read and re-read the books again and again until they fall apart (again). But I'm going to say this: When they do, I'll re-purchase them second-hand. I'm not going to buy official merch anymore, but instead support independent creators from the fandom if I ever feel like buying any merch in the future (I might not though). And IF* there's a third Fantastic Beasts movie, that movie will be the first HP movie I'm not watching in the theater and it'll be the first one I'm not buying on DVD (or spend money to stream online). But hell, I'm not judging anyone who wants to divorce the entire HP world for good because I get it. Do what feels right and healthy for you. . I'm so sad and I'm so angry, and I'm so, so sorry to any trans and nonbinary people out there. You are all valid. Your gender is valid. . *Eddie Redmayne has allegedly requested to have JKR pulled from Fantastic Beasts. Apparently, he doesn't want to work with her anymore. I personally think this marks the end of FB - for different reasons, but all related to JKR. It would be sad (I did enjoy them), but it would be right.

[@sashagrapko9508]

I wish that they would continue with Fantastic Beasts but without Mrs Rowling.

[@jessali_]

@@sashagrapko9508 So do I, lowkey. But I don't think they can even do that. :/

[@ninapaoli5468]

I am the biggest Harry Potter fan I’ve ever met, even on the internet, and honestly I don’t think Fantastic Beasts is that good anyway. We kicked JK out of the fandom a long time ago, even before the Cursed Child disaster. Harry Potter is ours, and, especially as a transgender man, I’ll be dammed if I give it up for a transphobe.

[@jujublue4426]

I really liked the first Fantastic Beasts, but the second one was shit so I didn't plan to see the next ones anyway

[@wolftitanreading5308]

So buying shitty knock offs good flr you supporting people not vood enough to make good stuff

[@teresagrabs488]

No one can take away what the community created. They have succeeded where she failed. Keep on Slythering!

[@jensanruby6739]

Yo, Slytherins just value ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness. We are not all bigots, we are not all evil. Just because JK wrote our house as being all evil doesn't mean that we are. Also, her letter does not have good points. It is hateful and uninformed.

[@rb8566]

Mickey Malone This comment doesn’t make any sense and no, her manifesto didn’t have good points. All her points can be debunked easily and I can link you a video that does just that. Also Harry Potter is fiction and real people get sorted into houses or join their favourite ones. Just because I’m a Slytherin doesn’t make me a bad person. Real people aren’t easily sorted because we’re not one dimensional characters written by some woman in the UK. You’re the one who is quite narrow-minded. Also did you know the great wizard Merlin was a Slytherin? I don’t know why being a Slytherin is such a big deal to you. The fandom has done such an amazing job expanding on this universe and diving deeper into each house and their philosophies. Your argument is moot as you’re using fiction and not reality to support your dislike of people and their points.

[@christinaanne3045]

"Your hate is NOT going to move me" Damn, you're powerful.

[@adamdavis1648]

@@monkey6207 It's kinda dishonest to say she doesn't have any hate. You're kind of ignorant tbh.

[@SM-BSW]

We have no choice but to Stan.

[@WilliamSmith-mx6ze]

What hate? Pointing out material reality is not hatred.

[@HandsLikeDoves]

I wanted to read the full essay just so I know exactly what she says, especially cause I think a lot of people naive to trans issues will not understand how hateful her words are. But I don't want to go to her site and potentially lead to her getting any ad revenue. There will be trans and trans-supporting KZbinrs doing detailed breakdowns and analysis, so I'm going to wait for those to come out. Thanks for pointing me to Jessie Gender, her last rant was so cathartic and I'm glad to have access to her perspective now.

[@mimimurlough]

This guy here wrote a massive thread breaking down everythin it. Been buried among other posts since though mobile.twitter.com/Carter_AndrewJ

[@idawanna9265]

You’re not going to read it yourself. You’re just going to consume media that reinforce your ideology. That is narcissistic and anti intellectual. Rowling said nothing transphobic.

[@HandsLikeDoves]

@@idawanna9265 to be clear, I'm not going to go to her site and read it there and give her site any traffic. I'm reading plenty of articles and watching videos with extensive quotes from the piece, and if someone reposts the whole thing somewhere else where she can't make money off it I'd be happy to read it there

[@idawanna9265]

MorCell Please check spelling. Did you mean tantrum? No tantrum here. Just logic

[@idawanna9265]

Rachel Smigielski I’m sure someone has copied it in full, however I suggest reading straight from the source. You won’t become ‘infected ‘ or die. Honest. Engaging with different ideas won’t change your mind unless you find their ideas better or you find out your ideas are false. It might just solidify your ideas! Never trust anyone who tells you to edit or cancel opposing views. The best way to defeat hate speech is with more speech! (Not the destruction of discourse or threats of violence) 🥂

[@8LiterallyJustTheNumber8]

As a fellow Slytherin, I felt the phrase "Your hate will not move me"

[@RedVandalf]

JK Rowling was like "oh this situation is not about me yet". This is not a moment for people to get clout and attention. Truly Disgusting.

[@englishgiraffe2124]

The fact that Rowling said all of this vile language during the protests and BLM situation adds an whole layer of gross. Calling her a demon is an insult to demons.

[@keelanbarron928]

Yeah, like that jackass in the batman outfit.

[@jenisedai]

@@englishgiraffe2124 from what I was told by a Scottish twitterer (twit?), it was over language the Scottish Parliament is wrangling over in creating their law about giving free period supplies to people who menstruate. The language they were using was more precise than "women", because not every woman- trans or cis- menstruates. Her ignorant complaint not only erases trans people, it also erases those who have had hysterectomies, older women who have gone through menopause, etc. It was ignorance and bigotry on SO many levels!

[@c17sam90]

English Giraffe I actually liked that we weren’t having another white celebrity act all I care about BLM randomly tbh

[@kaitlynnrose1836]

Your lack of breaking eye contact is making me want to cry.

[@Call-me-Al]

@@monkey6207 girls thinking they have to transition to be accepted as themselves is the fault of cis people, not trans.

[@enigmatickendo]

The vigour behind "your hate isn't going to move me" gave me shivers.

[@laninfapimentel311]

And to think this woman literally saved my life when I was a kid... I'm deeply disappointed and sad.

[@Call-me-Al]

Her work did. Unless you mean the woman literally yanked you out of the path of a speeding car or the like. I was frustrated at the heteronormativity in her books, but she still managed to make works that speak against her own behavior to some extent. My favourite part is how much the fandom has transformed her works to be far more inclusive than what she ever could. It has been turned into a force for good, leaving her behind and making her cranky about the fans not needing her anymore.

[@Call-me-Al]

@@jonathanwright8025 because we don't know of it? No really, I have to look that one up as I haven't read it.

[@Call-me-Al]

@@jonathanwright8025 so, I googled and I don't know what you mean. Do you mean Mac Boland the jazz artist? Or en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mack_Bolan ?

[@Call-me-Al]

@@jonathanwright8025 if you meant Mack Bolan, the American version of James Bond, my answer would be because I am not American and I would just read the original James Bond stories if I wanted to read a James Bond. Especial since the initial books were actually satire of pop culture spies by someone well aware of how real life spies operated, which makes it hilarious that the character over time came to be seen as a straight version of spy-assassins and got parodied. You ask British written fantasy readers why they didn't complain about some American ripoff of James Bond? Ha. People who are fans of Mack Bolan probably are fans directly because of any heteronormativity and the stereotypes. They wouldn't complain about the very things that made them fans of it.

[@Call-me-Al]

@@jonathanwright8025 interesting, thanks for the recommendation and explanation. I can't watch stuff like movie Commando without constantly laughing, it is magnificently ludicrous, but in a way that I can't tell if it is intentionally wacky or not, unlike the obviously satire Robocop movies.

[@Galvion1980]

Now you've done it, I am crying for real right now! My wand was a gift from my best friend who died last year. It's Hermione's, because he said that she reminds him of me. I feel drained and exhausted from argueing with transphobes online for the better part of the last few days. What does give me strength and hope is the fact that not only have Radcliffe, Watson and Grint publicly taken a stand against JKR's transphobia (f#*king Gryffindors, eh?) but also that as far as I can see, the fandom has our back. Her pitiful, disusting essay has been picked apart and debunked far and wide, even Forbes had an article on their website, as well as the Washington Post. I've watched Jessie's videos, and my heart goes out to her and you and everybody JKR has harmed and hurt so deeply. I sometimes contibute writing to a friend's comedy drag act (not quite ready for my own...) and even though I hardly feel like laughing, I've already channelled my fury into a few jokes at the expense of JKR and transphobes in general...Riddikulus! as the charm goes...We are fighting and we are winning, I promise you!

[@SpiderandMosquito]

I've got a few words. "I expected better from you." That's it. That's all I'll ever say on the matter. Harry Potter taught me everything I know about good storytelling I'm not going to let this change that but I am disappointed *very* disappointed

[@lwaves]

Clearly Rowling doesn't pay attention to her own words. Which given previous comments and possible retconning has always been the case.

[@philriversider3563]

If it makes you feel better she’s getting a big backlash here in the U.K.

[@timf7413]

Unfortunately, that will probably just play into the "truth teller" martyrdom narrative she seems to be building.

[@nightowl8477]

"I’m an ex-teacher and the founder of a children’s charity, which gives me an interest in both education and safeguarding. Like many others, I have deep concerns about the effect the trans rights movement is having on both." Sorry if I've misinterpreted this (I've just read the essay), but this is basically the age old argument against gay visibility, is it not? The "It's fine behind closed doors, but keep it away from my kids" attitude. I don't wanna be the "it's 2020" guy, but...

[@CouncilofGeeks]

That bit is basically the anti-trans version of "think of the children" where they present it like kids are being given gender reassignment surgeries (which doesn't happen) or that the idea that they might be trans is being thrust on them (which makes as little sense as the "gay recruitment" argument did decades ago).

[@nightowl8477]

@@CouncilofGeeks - as if gender is any more corrosive than sexuality. The fact that she has one rule for women and gays and another for men and trans people proves her prejudice. I think in her mind "trans people" and "men" are interchangeable terms.

[@sirtoby4939]

@@CouncilofGeeks It actually makes less sense than the gay recruitment argument. Not because that had merit in any shape or form. But because at least back then, people didn't have the benefit of historical hindsight.

[@estherbarba1409]

No, you haven't misinterpreted it. Feminists who hate and want to set themselves apart from trans and non-binary people are the same that 20 years ago hated and wanted to set themselves apart from lesbians. LERFs have turned into TERFs.

[@M-CH_]

@@CouncilofGeeks Gender reassignment surgeries for children do happen. To intersex children.

[@-LamiaSage-]

Never ever have I appreciated Roland Barthes' 'Death of the author' more. (not that that justifies any of the horrible things JK Rowling has written, it still sucks and I am still angry)

[@larsbonau4067]

It doesn't justify anything but it tells us that Rowling does not own the world. From the moment the books were published, it was our world, that we interpret, that we like, that we own. Rowling has no more authority than you and I have. (This is also a general statement against things like "canon". I hate it when every change is criticised because "it doesn't fit previous canon". Just for the moment, I am angry. I was (and kind of still am) looking forward to the next Fantastic Beasts movie. Especially, because I really love Newt. He is one of the best male heroes I have ever seen on screen. Luckily it is still way over a year... time for her to learn and grow or for me to come to terms with what I should do. Silverlining: Eddie Redmayne has also spoken out against Rowling. Then again exactly that makes the decision more difficult. Seemingly everyone involved, except for Rowling herself, has a reasonable stance on trans issues.

[@crotasonoforyx5330]

JK Rowling: ACCEPTANCE!!! Also JK Rowling: Oh but trans women aren't women I AM NOT A BAD PERSON >:(

[@mrcritical6751]

JK Rowling: I’m gonna retcon a bunch of LGBT stuff into the franchise Also JK Rowling: oh except the T part, I don’t like that part

[@crotasonoforyx5330]

@Skeptic Psychologist It's not bigoted, but gender is entirely subjective

[@jenisedai]

@Skeptic Psychologist defining it by chromosomes also leaves out a LOT of people who have some variation of those. Not every cis woman is XX, not every cis man is XY. Most commonly, you can be X, XXY, XYY, XXX; there are other, rarer, varieties.

[@melvv18]

@Skeptic Psychologist The concept of gender identiy is broader than biological sex. Being a woman in this case, derives from many different factors, including but no limiting to biology. When we take into consideration all the social and biologocal factors that influence on gender we end up we many different groups of women. As for attraction, that's personal and just as complex, but I ask this, would you not date a transwoman because you're not attracted to her, or because you don't see her as a woman? No need to answer, just reflect on it.

[@kristienwhitneyjohns2215]

But that's not what she said? She's just saying that biological sex is a thing. That's not an absurd viewpoint. Most of the trans community support it. The issue comes from her "apparently" being a TURF. Something I'm still not quite sure on, as nothing she's written would indicate she is one and I'm still looking for someone to explain to me how she is one.

[@Carollnn]

I am a feminist. I love people whose gender is male. I love people whose gender is female. I love people whose gender is something else. The first feminist I knew was my father. All people are able to join in the fight for equality.

[@emilymatthews2990]

Agreed with every point. The first feminist I met though was my mother.

[@prophetisaiah08]

I’ve always been more of a peripheral fan of Harry Potter, but I do understand the love that other people have for these stories and characters. I’m also a cis-het guy who will never fully understand the struggles of LGBTQ+ people, but I try. Separating art from artist can be difficult, and whether one even should is a matter for debate. I don’t have any answers for anyone, only that I respect the struggle that you are going through, and you have my love and support. I’ve lurked around your channel for long enough; you got a sub today. Thanks for being you.

[@jasonhebedead1710]

My opinion of J.K. has been knocked so far below rock bottom at this point that there's little that could salvage it. By the way your look is fab COG

[@kilian-one-l]

@@monkey6207 Have you seen the percentage of people who decide to detransition? It's very low, and most of the time it's not because they're not trans. It's because of shithead bigots like you making their lives difficult. People have been saying that people are transitioning because it's trendy for YEARS, and the science doesn't back it up in the least.

[@Lil-Dragon]

My view is rather similar to you but damn your lipstick is gorgeous I'm jealous of it. So glad you didn't snap the wand I was nervous seeing it like that. Respect to you and do think people need to know about your videos on this topic. One of my friends was unaware of the situation and thinks you view it perfectly. I admit I threw a few things away but can't do so to gifts from family and the memories I have seeing the books and being in the fandom.

[@stevetayler9518]

I literally said ‘no’ out loud when the video started. Though I totally would have understood

[@Galvion1980]

Upvoted for lipstick envy! I, too, covet that gorious green...

[@MobyDicksWife]

@@Galvion1980 Another vote for the lovely lipstick! What brand is it? Rowlings now makes me sick.

[@Lil-Dragon]

@@stevetayler9518 Same but would have been a painful sight if it was snapped

[@Call-me-Al]

@@monkey6207 the few who transition because they mistakenly think they are trans do so because sexism does not allow them to be as "masculine" or as "feminine" as they want to be. Enforced gender roles hurts everyone, and it isn't transgender people who do it. As a cisgender woman who easily gets misgendered if I don't dress up and use feminizing makeup (I have involuntarily been too androgynous since before puberty thanks to having the wrong mannerisms), the TERFS are the ones who have harmed me again and again. Transwomen and drag queens literally taught me how to perform femininity enough to consistently pass well, including how to walk, because they suffer the consequences of not standing up to people's expectations far more fatally than me. Transwomen makeup artists taught me how to feminize my face, but they were never the reason why I felt I had to. They seemed to be in the same shitty situation I was in except they had it far worse. Seeing people like Sarah Connor and Ripley when I was a child was wonderful, because finally some women who were women without looking skinny and dainty. Seeing cool butch women who don't get punished for it has gotten easier and easier over the decades thanks to social media. Even people like Erika Linder and Rain Dove get to be fashionable without getting insulted by their own industry, only assholes who don't like them not looking dainty. More and more it's okay to be gender nonconforming and non-binary, the transgender people are not at fault for mistaken transitions, it is the fault of the cis people who don't accept them trying to try live a more gender blurred life without trying to push them into stereotype labels. Transgender people just want to be themselves, like the rest of us. Don't try to blame them for sexism, especially as they are a ridiculously tiny percent of the media presence compared to the cis ones.

[@weirdandproudofit1]

I stopped buying HP stuff years back and it pains me. This was part of my identity and we need to remember it's ok to grieve. But she cannot take the memories from us. She does not deserve that power. We will heal and deal with this on our terms, whatever that means for each of us.

[@fardareismai4495]

I still love Harry Potter, but I lost all respect for Rowling. It's a case of separating the art from the artist imo. I won't buy anything related to Harry Potter anymore, I have what I need, so I'm not endorsing it anymore, but I still love the books and the movies.

[@sirtoby4939]

The fandom doesn't belong to her. If it weren't for you, she'd still be waiting tables.

[@fardareismai4495]

@Skeptic Psychologist good question, I'm glad you asked. I have had the honour to support someone though their transition, and therefore know how much prejudice and hate trans people face. Rowling specifically said that she disagreed with the notion that sex isn't real, which is something I have never heard any trans person say. Her comments were not extremely abrasive or hateful on first glance, but what I take issue with most, is the fact that she has a large platform and real influence, and she decides to use it to doubt other people's lives. I guess I'm just disappointed, because I know JK Rowling cares about humans, she just doesn't seem to "agree" with the identities of a whole group of already marginalised people. It's sad to see someone I viewed as a hero growing up being intolerant to people that don't deserve it.

[@kaitlynnrose1836]

Been waiting for this one.

[@abcdefgh6951]

Me too

[@eliotmccann2589]

I'm a minute into this and the quiet intensity and rational calm demeanour on display is utterly unnerving...

[@Macapta]

Honestly thought you were gonna snap the wand.

[@LMvonLebkuchen]

I wonder how many people were waiting for it. Like it was inevitable. Goes against the statement about keeping the HP merch, I guess, but just the way it being held felt like, any moment.... Ker-snap.

[@RosesTeaAndASD]

Was waiting for it.

[@tenkineesan8020]

I almost dropped my platform nine and three quarters mug this morning. In that moment of slowed down time as it fell, I thought, “I could just let it break.” But ... that mug is more than a piece of merchandise. It’s a memory of the completely wonderfully disastrous trip to my best friend’s home country, and to lose it would be to lose a piece of our lives together. I would never replace the mug, but I couldn’t let it fall, either. Harry Potter was a huge part of my life. My Ravenclaw scarf is a gift from a friend whom I cherish deeply. My boxed set of books 1-4 is a memory of reading them together with my mom and our wild conspiracy theories as to what would happen next. Book 6 reminds me of when my brother and I still spoke to each other and we went to the midnight release party in our costumes and stayed up the whole night to read it. I can’t ever bring myself to throw those memories away, but they’re never going to be the same. Rowling has ruined that with her hate.

[@Ben-vf5gk]

Thanks for your December video, making me aware of this so what happened recently didn't hit as hard. As I said to my friend who was quite reasonably upset that the author of his favourite books hates his existence, you are beautiful, valid, and loved.

[@Peel420]

Well said my darling. Full support to you and everyone else whom the hatred tries to knock down! Stand tall in your Slytherin uniform.

[@Call-me-Al]

@@monkey6207 not necessarily, based on what virtues the sorting half sorts into

[@CeitDeVitto]

Her long ramble of an essay reminds me of the Anit-Abortion argument, "but you might change your mind, I am doing it for your own good." Then she presents some bullshit feeling "research" not backed by any type of real data. Her definition of what a woman is, is the same definition of what a woman is to the right-wing, meaning that she defines a woman as only those who have a working, functional, and healthy uterus. She doesn't see a woman as anything else than an incubator- I got into a fight with one of her supporters and realized I am just talking to a wall or anger. Saying well "I have trans friends, so I know... " No you don't know, nor will I an ally would know. If she is doing this, then how the hell can she be an ally to anyone. To say what she said is unacceptable in any way. I can't give up my Harry Potter books and things, they have too many connections for me. You are beautiful, you are wonderful, and love your channel!

[@lwaves]

You shouldn't give up on the HP world IMO. Separate the art from the artist. The work hasn't changed one single bit because of the comments Rowling has made, your view of Rowling has changed. Everything you love about that world is still there. Going off topic from HP and onto the anti-abortion point, I had a long discussion/disagreement with an anti-abortionist once. They continually argued that the mother had no right to decide, that the unborn was innocent and so on. I agreed that the unborn was innocent and an unfortunate victim. Then I clarified with them that they believe the mother, the one they want to carry the unborn for 9 months, the one they want to give birth no matter the circumstances, the one directly genetically connected to the unborn, had no right to decide. They said yes, that is what they believe. So I asked them, what gave them, a complete stranger, with zero connection to the unborn, what gave them the right? I never heard from them again. Anyway, that went way off-topic but your point brought it to my mind so I thought I'd share. :-)

[@FreyaEinde]

Ceit De Vitto Yeah the way she phrases it is so much condescending bullshit, like oh yeah I support and love trans people but I also want to exclude them...but I’m not that description of feminists who wanna exclude trans people...

[@CeitDeVitto]

@@lwaves yup, no logic at all, because it goes against their core beliefs, just like JK, so they wrap a narrative around the belief and justify it. It's pretty sad. I hope what ever trans friends she has left takes her to task. Not walking away from Harry Potter, I read books by authors I wouldn't even let tie my shoes. I can I suppose separate the art from the artist -- almost-- If I didn't I would be able to watch, read, or consume many things I like. I just did like JK because she has done a ton load of good work.

[@julieannelovesbooks]

Seeing you in this state, the way you speak, gives me chills. I knew from clicking on this video that it would be very serious but I don’t like to spend a lot of my time on social media and therefore I don’t keep up with what’s happening and what JK Rowling is saying for instance. But these videos help me stay up to date when something happens that I need to know about. So just the way you spoke really shocked me. Just wanted to share that. Not really meaning anything with it.

[@Tiffany__B]

"Your hate is not going to move me" that's honestly such an important life lesson

[@benw9949]

It's so difficult to understand how someone who wrote so well about being an outsider who gains acceptance and inclusion in a community of people like himself, could also be so misunderstanding and mean toward a community that had found comfort and freedom and some acceptance in her boos. But much of that was from the fandom. Their love and acceptance of others who are different, that recognition. Science fiction and fantasy fans tend to be (not always) more tolerant or accepting of those differences. I came at the Harry Potter books as an adult, and they and the movies were great but didn't grab me like they did some fans. I wonder what it would be like if someone who grew up not-straight, gradually realizing their not-straightness, were to write books about a group of characters finding their community. Not-straight friendly books are still hard to find and hard to get published. There's either the fear of them being too not-straight and too offensive or too explicit, or the equivalent of the pulpy romance novel but with not-straight characters (often unrealistic or formulaic). I wish we had some (many) books and films that would help folks in the not-straight communities find what they / we need, whether we are adults or kids / teens first getting through our feelings and our lives.

[@clarinetangel99]

Thanks for helping me put into words my stance on this situation. I've been struggling with my emotions on this for a while.

[@michaellaporte]

I was so ready for you to snap your wand in half at the end! I totally support all of your decisions. I also had to take a long hard look at my HP merch and decide what it means to me. I will never give up harry potter even though its author turned her back on our community.

[@mythme01]

I'm a straight male and not a major HP devotee - but I AM autistic and I care about the lgbt community and I'm aghast at that essay.

[@TheDanishGuyReviews]

I love to hear that. I always said us autistic people are one of the most welcoming communities around. Glad to see it confirmed. ❤

[@Call-me-Al]

@@TheDanishGuyReviews we can be. Unfortunately us autists are just people too, so some of us are vile the same way some neurotypicals are

[@nandyk.2026]

very well put. the harry potter fandom is a community that's done so many good and put out so much love and positivity in the world, it's baffling that the person behind the works has such vile views. as much as you can separate art from the artist, you can also as easily see her fingerprints all over the stories she wrote, and i'd rather acknowledge the problematic parts rather than pretend they didn't exist- especially considering she still profits off the franchise. I don't think i'll be watching or reading anything that comes out of the franchise in the future either, honestly, but the fandom 's still so full of loving and accepting people and nobody's words are gonna change that. sincerely, a trans hufflepuff who will not back down from hate.

[@sandi539]

The real Harry Potter was the Friends We Made Along the Way.

[@fsoleils1a]

I feel you. Im so tired Im so- Idk I have a lot of harry potter stuff I paid for it so i gonna keep it But I cant even dream to support her anymore Im so TIRED

[@tristanmilner9511]

Someone get this KZbinr a Scorpia level comfort hug stat!

[@natbatlightwood5288]

This legit made me cry. I had a similar experience last week, i went to get rid of everything but i just couldn't do it, allot of my Harry Potter stuff was bought for me by my best friend some of it is all i have left from before my family went homeless like literally all i have left from being a child, there are memories attached to it and i felt so guilty about not following through with getting rid of it all but i just couldn't. I have made the decision to no longer buy anything related to the franchise though, some of my dearest friends are Trans and i'd feel like such a fraud for giving her money.

[@SidheKnight]

Harry Potter is by far the most personally meaningful piece of fiction that I've read in my life, and I'm not going to stop liking it and defending it as a work, on its literary qualities. But I cannot support the author anymore. Fortunately I already own the core series, which is the best work in the franchise. But I'm not gonna see any spin-off movies, or buy any other books or merchandise from the author. Whatever her bigoted views, Harry Potter for me will always be a story about tolerance, embracing those who are different, and love and compassion triumphing over hate. And the community it fostered shows it. I suppose it will be easier for future generations to appreciate her work without worrying about her bigotry once she is dead, in the same way we view the Cthulu Mythos today.

[@MrApplelovin]

A wonderful exploration about how those of us who are both a part of the HP fandom and the LGBTQ community are having to navigate this world. I have too many friendship links made through HP and too many life lessons and connections to cut myself off from the magical world and will be keeping the things that I have, but going forward I will not be engaging with official merch/games/films. I will continue to support creators on Etsy etc but that is a personal decision based on knowing several creators who depend on that income who also abhor what JK has been saying

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

HP books rescued me as a teen. As I grew older, I realized I don’t have to like a creator in order to like her creations. I am sorry you feel so wounded. It really is unfair. I thank you for your wise words. I suppose whatever decision you feel you need to make for your personal reasons. And I continue to look out for your content.

[@Amanda_Butterfly]

I've tried a few times to write something really deep, meaningful and clever but I honestly don't know where to start so all I can do is requote your words "you are beautiful and you are valid" no matter anyone's opinion. Sending love and hugs

[@lolitaguevara86]

Sending you so much love and support 💚 you’re absolutely right that the fandom is what makes HP great and it’s wonderful to see so many standing up to JK Rowling and her terf ways. Also totally unrelated but that lip colour is everything.

[@shinetilly]

I’m in tears. Thank you for everything you do. Not going to lie though, I thought you were going to snap your wand

[@ArgyleDinosaur]

That lipstick color is phenomenal. Where do I get that from? Oh God she wrote a 3,000 word thing trying to defend herself? I can't with this anymore. I can't. Who she is as a person doesn't negate the good that reading HP did for me as a young person. I have the merch that I've already bought, but she hasn't gotten a dime from me in years and she's not going to get another dime from me. Some people can separate the art from the artist and I envy them and now I do look at Harry Potter differently, but it did a lot for me while I was growing up and I'm not going to let her as a person ruin that for me. I'm just not. She's not taking that away from me. I'm not going to let her. Thank you for not taking down your old videos.

[@sprinklesosprinkles8792]

Ugh, I'm crying again. Harry Potter was so important to me during the time I struggled the most that all of this has dredged up emotions I haven't felt (or at least haven't acknowledged) in probably over a decade. This whole thing has made me realize how much I've been holding in, brushing off, and hiding over the last few years and how unhealthy that's been.

[@Luvcatz88]

Solidarity my friend

[@Stubagful]

Given Harry Potter's blatant themes of figuring out who you are, I still don't get how she could possibly think like this. This is total shit. My heart goes out to you

[@AfonNoria]

Thank you. Please accept this virtual hug.

[@speedytrelawny9123]

As a proud Gryffindor, I'm deeply saddened to see what is going on with J.K Rowling and I'm upset and hurt. She created a world for me to love and cherish and it made me feel brave as what a Gryffindor should be. I'm upset what J.K Rowling has done. I feel like getting rid of my Harry potter things yet I don't at the same time. They were gifts given to me from birthdays, school grades, and Chrismas.

[@Leena79]

Before my very long rant below, I want to say, that shade of lipstick perfectly matching your hair looks fierce! 💗 I had to go read her text before commenting, and now that I have, this is what I think. The way she writes is very similar to how people write "I'm not racist, I have black friends. But..." or "I'm not homophobic, I know gay people. But..." She is making generalisations about very marginal phenomenon and applying them to all trans people, except for the "adorable" trans kids and that one older woman. She sounds like a 18th century missionary worker's wife describing her visit in a village in Africa. I don't condone bullying either online or in real life, and undoubtedly she has experienced her share of it. However, unlike the anonymous cyberbullies, she is a person who has a huge following and a platform she can use to do good or harm. She admits having trauma, but she also was abused by a cis man, not by someone transgender. I'm sure there are some cis men who try to impose as women to get into women's spaces, but this is not something that hasn't happened before. I've never been asked to prove my gender in a public restroom, and that is such an obscure thing to base all this hatred on. As a professional writer, she could have found ways to give her message of caring for women's safety in ways which didn't come across as transphobic, but instead she chose to write like this.

[@Amazing_Amy_W]

I'm still making my way through your content, but don't think I've ever seen you looking and sounding so down like this before. This is the worst thing about this whole thing for me, the pain the Rowling has caused decent, good people. You don't deserve that. Other Harry Potter fans don't deserve that. I'm so sorry she's done this to you all. 💜

[@belagrolaub8746]

For a moment I thought you'd snap the wand in two. You are strong, amazing and I love your content. Much love.

[@greendemon905]

It's heartbreaking to see you this shaken up. Harry Potter is a franchise very dear to many people, myself included, and to think that all the greatness of the franchise will now be accompanied by so many negative feelings, is hard to stomach. I have only experienced such a feeling once before, when the truth about Channel Awesome came to light. I loved watching older Nostalgia Critic reviews, since in a way those videos were nostalgic to me. But as soon as I learned how the site was run, I could no longer watch the stuff without wishing I could watch it without giving the creator any revenue. It's a hard feeling of wanting to enjoy things that made you happy, but feeling guilty over doing it. I've seen your other Harry Potter videos, and it's clear how much the franchise meant to you. I would hate to think you or anyone else can no longer enjoy it. So, I'll end with this... No matter what JK says, as a Hufflepuff (I got sorted IRL), I stand for Loyalty and kindness, and I believe anyone is accepted and loved at Hogwarts!

[@JennaGetsCreative]

I feel the same way as you. I love the fandom. I love the Harry Potter I experienced as a teenager. I'm a proud Ravenclaw! I will continue to be inspired by this world, up to and including including fandom themes in my artwork when it feels right (but not selling it), and including mentioning the fandom in my book vlogs when a piece of a broader topic list best suits the fandom. I will not be giving Rowling any money from here on out. I will not add any new HP fandom designs to my RedBubble. I'm glad you're not taking down your old videos (because they're great content, and because you deserve any future ad revenue they might still generate) but I would understand if you did. I feel like it's particularly okay to still enjoy the world of Harry Potter, for those of us who can separate it from Rowling, because of what you pointed out in your other video (the one "future" to this). The works are antithesis to Rowling's beliefs. They may not explicitly feature transgender characters, but they feature themes conducive to transgender acceptance, and she's even shoehorned in other LGBT+ identities after the fact. (Don't even get me started on a rant about how someone can support non-binary sexuality but not non-binary gender identity...)

[@Luvcatz88]

As a fellow Slytherin this resonated with me, thank you for speaking out. I've been heart broken about the situation for a long time now and it's just gotten worse I don't want to waste any more tears on that woman.

[@Rmlohner]

The way I've always put stuff like this is "No one gets to take away the stories I love, and that includes the people who made them."

[@pumpkinspicedfaerie6679]

I'm so glad you made a video addressing this, I have been having similar thoughts this week about my connection to the series - nice to hear others opinions

[@Dormant_Chrysalis]

It is so baffling to me that a woman who wrote a book about kids defying old, traditionalist villains who won't accept or value people for who they are or where they come from doesn't understand where she stands on that scale right now.

[@withered_jasper7712]

Hey Nathaniel, I don’t know if you still enjoy middle grade novels or not but the Percy Jackson series is amazing! It’s based around greek mythology set in modern times and the author is accepting of all people. Rick Riordan is an amazing author plus he’s very supportive of his fans, one look at his Twitter and you can tell. Also we’re getting a Percy Jackson series on Disney+ that I have high hopes for.

[@alenciaga21]

What?!!!! We are getting a series? Are you kidding me? Am I dreaming?! That's amazing!

[@gaberodriguez4023]

I support you, Nathaniel. And I also recommend Jessi Gender's video, which I watched last night. As a cis male, I want to be a trans ally.

[@QuetzalOvejasElectricas]

I was disgusted by her essay. I couldn't believe what I was reading, I am glad I'm not much of a Harry Potter fan, because it is heartbreaking.

[@Call-me-Al]

@@monkey6207 copy-pasting that to every single comment won't make it truer.

[@me_myselfand_i2099]

@@ojyochan I'm disgusted by her using that fact to justify hate against people.

[@SM-BSW]

Yep. You’re definitely an edge witch at heart. You listen to your instincts, and remain firm in your principles. We have no choice but to Stan.

[@shin0b1ken0b1]

Thank you for your courage and strength, Nathaniel. I really needed this video.

[@MCMIVC]

It's sad it's gotten to this point, but it's also the way it has to be... I hope one day in the future that the story can truly escape her shadow. My slytherin ambitions are partially compelling me to try and pull it out form it myself if I can. From one slytherin to another; Your videos have brought me much joy, and will continue to do so, with or without HP. Cheers to a brighter future!

[@timf7413]

I know it's different for every person (and there are no wrong reactions), but having gone through similar situations where I was disappointed with a number of other creators whose properties I truly enjoyed, I find that time tends to blunt the impact a bit. It just seems defeatist to give up something that brings me joy just because the person who made it turned out to be a disappointment (or some stronger term if you prefer)

[@ozofri8755]

Wow wow.. I cannot express what I feel right now. As soon as you described what the books are all about I started crying. Im a gay man myself, and I'm speaking about trans people almost daily with people around me. I felt the same as you that I can't say goodbye to Harry, to this world, even though I'm furious and hurt. I send you lots of love and appreciate you so much. You have become one of the best people I like to listen to, and I hope this comment can express my support and friendship. This world will always be part of my heart.

[@busanbhoy2161]

i need to hear things like this to help my own thought process....thanks mate!! well done!!!

[@emmamacfarlane8137]

I love that basically the entire cast of the films has spoken out against her. For me, I have thrown out any remaining Harry Potter books I have. I cannot tolerate having them in my house any more.

[@borjankosarac3645]

I couldn’t do that, but I understand your decision. I’m truly sorry that she has joined the ranks of people who have hurt you.

[@WaferNegresco]

I mean, there are other book series out there, right? People should have the right to move on.

[@sarahweiner6924]

Your voice is important. Your feelings and identity and right to feel comfortable in the fandom is so important. I'm straight and cis-gendered, so while I''m furious and heartbroken, I can't even imagine what you're feeling. But I will say that this Gryffindor has enjoyed your videos immensely. I truly believe that these books, this story, this world- they belong to the readers. It doesn't mean that we can ignore what Rowling said or who she is, or where these books come from, but we get to decide what is true about the wizarding world for ourselves. Rowling was right about one thing: love is the most powerful magic in the world. I love those books. I love this fandom. And I think that, in time, this community will show that, while Rowling no longer has a place here, Harry certainly does.

[@gryffindorgeorgi]

I agree with everything you said here! The fandom is what matters not the hateful words of JKR.

[@FaeQueenCory]

Let's be honest. This decline is just the culmination of what was already there. I put the point of the fall with the last book, wherein she chose to not subvert the chosen one narrative and instead played it straight. People often forget that the whole ""gay"" Dumbledore thing was in response to (the dumbest question ever) being asked "did Dumbledore ever find love?" To which she responded with "No, he's gay." Implying those are somehow mutually exclusive or related. There's also tons of little things throughout the books that show her biases.... Which really aren't all that surprising. She's English. Other people have been cataloguing all that... But for me, an American, Kanienkeha'ka specifically, it all just adds up to: the English. As for the pain so many feel, it's the same as when pokemon cut most of the pokemon out of pokemon. It's the end result of capitalism being tied to one's personhood. Where the things you consume ARE you, either in whole or in part. And losing a part of oneself can be deeply traumatic and painful.

[@T-2856]

I'll be keeping my stuff as I love the content and feel a great deal of nostalgiafor them, regardless of what Rowling says. I'm not letter her hate taint my memories or enjoyment of these stories that helped me through tough times.

[@DarkEmber100]

Thank you for making this video. I found your channel because of that franchise but I’m happy to have found it for so many other reasons.

[@sigyn27]

My biggest problem with JKR are not her views, even though I wish she used her platform to share acceptance instead of hate and mistrust. I can read and enjoy books written by authors with whom I disagree, even when they put their political views into their fiction (I would usually not buy such books though). What I really despise about her is the fact that she has been pretending for years to be an LGBTQ+ ally and that she has been trying to prove to everyone how inclusive her work is with additions like Dumbledore being gay or black Hermione, instead of actually creating versatile characters in the books. It's her hypocrisy that I really hate. I am even happy that she is more open about her views now, instead of having "clumsy and middle-aged moments" on Twitter. I am glad we are past that. On another note, I am beginning to question my own relation to feminism, because while my views remain unchanged, I am beginning to wonder whether the label is correct, and TERFs are only part of the issue. Nathaniel, I am sorry to hear you will not be covering Harry Potter any more, because I enjoyed these videos and found them insightful (as all your videos). I fully respect and understand your decision though.

[@timf7413]

I think that's a big part of the backlash in this particular case. In many ways, it reminds me of the situation with Joss Whedon a few years ago, where many fans became alienated not so much because of his conduct, but because that conduct was seen as a betrayal of what he purported himself to be. People are used to people not supporting the LGBTQ community (even if they find that hurtful), but to have it come from someone they thought might have been an ally, makes things especially sting for many I think.

[@sigyn27]

@@timf7413 Yes, exactly. Some people looked up to her and they have every right to feel betrayed. At least now people can make an educated decision on whether they want to buy or even read her books. And while I know her words have hurt people, I think it is better to have clarity when it comes to her views, instead of her liking transphobic tweets and then pretending that nothing has happened. People should have guts to stand by their opinions, and she had been trying for far too long to have her cake and eat it too.

[@noodlepoodle3582]

You dropped this 👑 In all seriousness, as a nonbinary person who was never really into HP, seeing people in the fandom so vehemently come together to defend trans people despite the hateful rhetoric the author has tried to push makes me hopeful for the future, not only of myself, but of other trans people. Thank you. You have no idea what it means to me to see so much support from this wonderful fandom.

[@depreseo]

I grew up with Harry potter and he books made me fall in love with reading. Around the release of the first and second films i was potter-mad (games, toys, the entire lego set etc), but come movie 3, the adaption of my faouret book, my passions started to dwindle a bit. No longer potter mad, but still loving the book series which was still coming out. Yet now with the potter books having come to an end many years ago i originally found it funny that major members of the fandom found the books to be inclusive. I mean yes the whole ordel of pure blood supremacy vs all those opposed is an allagory about racism, xenephobia and exclusion based on many other things, and harry, ron and hermiony standing up to that is of course good standing up to evil. inclusivity winning over those who would rather divide and conquer... but there's a problem with that narrative, because that inclusivity comes with an asterix which when highlighted reads "inclusivity, but only if your magic". Those without magic, muggles, are treated like shit, with the most prominent muggle characters being the Dursley family who are abusive. Hermiony's parents are only mentioned in passing (no dialogue) and other muggles of note are either killed off within their chapter or their minds are constantly wiped by the supposid good wizards as them not know is for the best. The salt is further poured into the wound when you get to snapes memories in the final book and you see a young Petunia arguing with a young Lilly because Petunia wrote to Hogwarts to see if she could go too, yet the response she get was a kindly written rejection and Lilly's counter argument to Petunias justifiable angre is that it was kindly written. A letter which tells a young girl that she doesn't belong because she doesn't have magic, but heck at least its kindly written. This is a problem i always had with the books, and now in the wake of JK's TERF status its difficult not to re-read or re-interpret muggles as trans people. Sure our heroes at hogwarts and in the wiaarding world are willing to fight for them, but they're not allowed to join in - i mean they don't have magic after all. But you know we're all pro-muggle here.

[@maurinet2291]

I'm so sorry you had to make this video. This is a moment no fan of anything should ever have to go through. I don't know where I come down yet, I haven't even read the essay, (before the video, I didn't even know there was an essay) but I've wrestled with this in the past and ended up choosing the creation over the creator. I support your decision not to get rid of your HP items.

[@thedanespeaks]

Her essay made no sense. She wants to keep "women only" spaces and excludes trans women from them but would be fine with trans men in them apparently judging from how she says that feminism includes them. The thing is feminism already has many different viewpoints. Isn't that what intersectionality is all about?There are women of colour, gay women, straight women, disabled women- it makes no sense not to have trans women.

[@timf7413]

I'm not defending her views, but they seem like fairly standard TERF-ism (at least as far as I understand it).

[@heatherrockwell9012]

One thing you'll notice about TERF logic and also most anti-trans nonsense, is that they never know what to do with trans men, and just sort of ignore them...

[@Galvion1980]

That essay was pitiful and disgusting and falls apart under a minimum of intellectual scrutiny. It has been debunked not only on twitter, but by Forbes and the Washington Post and on freethoughblogs.com and many, many more online spaces. Facts and logic are on our side.

[@sadfaery]

@@heatherrockwell9012 I know, right? The whole thing about "people who menstruate" that started this fresh anti-trans rhetoric of hers was because it included trans men and transmasculine non-binary people who also menstruate or who have menstruated in the past. It wasn't actually about trans women until she made it so. Of course, transmasculine folks are often ignored in trans-related discourse. Trans women and transfeminine non-binary folks bear the vast majority of the abuse, even in things that concern transmasculine folks at least as much, like bathrooms.

[@timf7413]

​@@sadfaery The stupid part is, the actual article she was commenting on did mostly use the terms "women" and "girls", as opposed to gender neutral terms, even if the headline didn't, which honestly makes me wonder if she even read it before spouting off.

[@WhiteWolf496]

Damn, I can hear and feel the pain in your voice. To hear the person who created a world and franchise you love, dismiss what makes you, you, would be heartbreaking. It makes me sad for everyone who looked up to her for all the good she did, only to destroy that admiration and for some people, their love for her work.

[@mrcritical6751]

This was a hard video to watch but it really put into perspective how awful the things JK has said are. Everything from your tone of voice to how you talked about how you’ll approach the franchise going forward just made me realise how bad this situation is. Before this the only stuff I knew about it was from a Facebook post my cousin shared about the topic, but seeing this from the perspective of a person with a fluid sense of gender really shows just how bad the situation is and how harmful what she’s said is.

[@DitisEmile]

I can't believe this woman and what she's been saying. Harry Potter has been a comfort to so many of us and we can't let her ruin it for us.

[@sherwoodwise32]

Thank you for what I can tell was a difficult statement to make, Nathaniel. It is very helpful as I consider introducing my daughter to Rowling's work. It is absolutely the case that the art can be separated from the artist as long as the creator's hate cannot be found in the creation.

[@Caterfree10]

I feel this in my bones tbh. Yeah most of my stuff is fanmade, but I don’t think I’ll be able to bring myself to use or wear it anymore. And now I don’t even know what to do with the crochet tarot deck pouch I was making out of Ravenclaw colors. I’m almost done. I bought the exact colors I did bc they were spot on as far as the books were concerned. And now I’m at a loss for the Bronze color yarn especially. It sucks. I hate it when childhood heroes turn out like this. Might reread Animorphs tho. K.A. Applegate has a trans daughter whom she supports and I want to take comfort in that one of my childhood heroes was and still is awesome.

[@marissawilson9460]

I can see your broken heart in this video and I’m so terribly sorry. I can’t imagine what you are going through as a young white and straight woman, but I am a huge ally and have a lot of LGBTQ+ friends You are wonderful. You are unique and I love your videos. I’m still trying to decide what to do with my Harry Potter items. As a Gryffindor I wish you strength and courage.

[@GermanLeftist]

The writing was on the wall all the way back in the first novel. The only two people of colour in that one were the Patil twins and we never learn anything about them because Harry never interacts with them. There are no other people of colour that we'd know of, there are no members of the LGBTQ+ community, no non-Christians apparently, and there is the active use of Nazi propaganda imagery with the Goblins. And it didn't get much better as time went by. Cho and Chang are two Chinese last names and I can't longer get rid of the feeling that Rowling simply chose these two because it sounded like the absolute stereotypical Asian name she could come up with at the time. Kingsley Shacklebolt is the only black man I can remember actually described as black in the novels and is a side-character. Given that the big political stance the series takes is being anti-fascist, this absolute lack of representation of anybody who doesn't fit within a heteronormative, white, cis-gendered worldview is definitely concerning, the actual use of antisemetic imagery only makes it worse. It also undermines the messaging "to always be yourself". And that's not even everything. Sure, the slavery of the House Elves is not portrayed as anything positive but also not as outright negative and apprehensible either. Hell, when Hermione tries to do something about it, she gets ridiculed by Ron. And what does the main character? Harry does nothing. He never does. When does Harry ever take an actual political or social stance on anything that doesn't directly affect him? He's as a-political as possible for a character who has to act within a political story. But even the political dimensions of the franchise is laughable. The big other message that one can take away from the series besides "fascism is bad" and "friendship is important" is that politicians are incompetent. So politicians are all either corrupt or incompetent or both, slavery is seen as something normal and nobody actually does something about it, minorities are basically non-existent, and the characters that openly speak out against any of this (mainy Hermione and Dumbledore) are often ridiculed for doing so. The social politics of Harry Potter were always questionable, we just didn't see it or wanted to see it because it was just so immersive as a work fiction that we didn't want to question it. But with every tweet, every statement, Rowling makes this harder. And that's not even looking at the economic or class politics of Harry Potter because those are non-existent as well. Sure, the poor family (the Weasleys) are the good guys while the rich one (the Malfoys) are the bad ones but the way Rowling writes them makes both look like caricatures and not as actual representations of rich or poor families. Also her portrayl of conservatives with the Dursleys is just as laughable. Rowling is an empty, milquetoast, neoliberal centrist who is incapable of actually empathise with somebody outside of her own world. She doesn't really see herself as racist or sexist or anti-LGBTQ+ but at the same time she is not really capable or willing to work to better the standing and reception of these groups of people in society. And because she isn't, her franchise, once you really start analysing it, reveals itself as an empty shell that doesn't really has anything to offer in the long run.

[@robertr.5765]

I only discovered your channel a few days ago, I must admit. I feel every thought you shared in this video - so much that I am moved to tears (as I know you were holding them back only to keep focused on the message you wanted to invite your audience to reflect on). I am in strong support of you and send you my warm hugs. I hope I can find the courage and start making my own video essays soon - finding you (and some others), certainly helped. Thank You! 🤗

[@jacquig1939]

Our experiences with this fandom is our own. It's a shame that the lessons we learned from HP are not shared by its creator. I couldn't throw away things that meant so much to myself growing, but not going to pay to see the movies.

[@bluflavouredpudding]

I was absolutely heartbroken when I saw the tweets because these books are such an important part of my life. Some of my friends have asked me why I like them so much and it’s not just that, Harry Potter got me through so much and my connection to the story goes way deeper than just liking it. So you can imagine how I, a non-binary individual, felt when the creator of such a wonderful world said such hurtful things to the community that I love and respect. I’m a sensitive person with strong emotions and part of my world just felt apart, it’s gonna take a while for me to understand where I stand in all this, but JK Rowling is someone that I have no respect for whatsoever.

[@stevetayler9518]

This breaks my heart. Absolutely. It’s all so unnecessary and cruel.

[@QUO833]

Whos side are you on?

[@stevetayler9518]

@@QUO833 certainly not Rowling. I meant that her comments and opinions are so unnecessary and cruel. What breaks my heart is that in doing this she’s forever tainted my memories of Harry Potter and what was once a good thing. 🙂

[@TimdeVisser86]

I know that the fandom has outgrown the author, and I'm so proud of all the people that have decided to reject her message of hate. There are so many elements of her works that should inspire the reader to fight bigotry, even as it is embraced by authority. So many ridiculous cisnormative rationalizations that a simple polyjuice potion can disprove. Harry Potter works as a metaphor, despite its limits. And I can't wait to see how the fandom will outshine the source going forward. Hugs to all who are hurting. TERFS Don't Interact.

[@TheDistressedSetlist]

I'm still holding out hope that she will see the light and reverse her stance. She needs to sit down and talk with people. Talk with Emma Watson. Talk with trans fans. She claims she's done research but much like with anti vaxxers it's clear she cherry picked research that fit her own already decided mindset. She needs to look into real research. Why I have hope though is, despite all the fake things people have stirred up lately to try and cancel her even further, she is on the correct side of the vast majority of other social issues. And that tells me that she isn't as small minded and hateful as we all feel she is now. Just misguided and in a place where that misguidedness stirs more toxicity than if she were just a random person. What's more is that the characters in her books are so much more enlightened than she is! Looking as when the Trio accepted Hagrid and convinced him to come back to teaching and to not care what people think when he was outed.... or Luna finding a place to belong. There's a part in TDH where Harry visits Luna's room and she has a mural up of the DA members connected by gold links made up of the word "friends" a million times. Seeing things like this make it clear that the Potter characters would have accepted trans women as women and trans men as men. They're more enlightened than their creator, which is devastatingly sad but does leave a glimmer of hope that Rowling will realize her mistake. Maybe I'm just naive, but this series and this fandom means too much for me to give up hope now. I'll be joining you in boycotting any future potter related stuff until Rowling reverses her stance or is cut out of them. But I dont think I'll have to do it for very long. One way or another. I could be wrong, I was before when I accepted her explanation of misliking a tweet. But gods I hope I'm right

[@timf7413]

IDK about that. This isn't the first time she's received backlash from the LGBTQ community. I think if she was inclined to engage in any sort of dialog, she would have done it long before now.

[@TheDistressedSetlist]

@@timf7413 I mean, I always saw the backlash shed received earlier as super petty. Basically she said "Dumbledore is gay. It's not a big deal, just part of his character," which I think is the right way to do that (and she announced it to put an end to a pointless hetero subplot movie execs wanted between Dumbledore and mcgonagall so bonus points from me). And people were outraged because she didn't make a big deal out of it. These same people who want homosexuality normalized. Like, pick a lane. Then she got criticized for apparently saying the gay relationship between Albus and Gellert wouldn't be prevalent in The Crimes of Grindlewald. And at first I supported the outcry, because their relationship is a major part of not only Grindlewald's character, but also the resolution of the entire story. Then I actually saw the movie and understood why shed made that choice. It was really setting up the revelation of their deeper relationship (for people who didn't already know about it) in whatever the next movie will be. And when she said their relationship wouldn't be prevalent, she basically meant.that they didn't kiss in it. What she did include was a scene where Dumbledore looks into the Mirror of Erised, which shows you your deepest heart's desire, and seeing himself holding hands with Grindlewald, staring into his eyes while they make a blood pact to never harm one another. Plot holes with that scene aside, that's pretty gay. I understand the want for more explicitly shown queer couples in film/TV. Hell, seeing Willow and Tara in Buffy helped me accept myself. But it's also important not to shoehorn it in. Better to take the time and do it right, which (and I may eat my words here; I have about Rowling before) it seems like JK is trying to do. But on top of all that, she's donated to queer supportive charities, talked many times about the LGB inclusiveness in the fandom and how "no one should have to live in the closet." Honestly, for gay characters and support the only backlash shes faced was having not put them front and center. And since it hasn't really been relevant plotwise until now, I say wait until the next FB comes out (assuming we're all not boycotting it, which we probably will be) and if she let's us down there then the anger (on her and gayness) will be justified Sorry for the wall of text there, I've been exasperated over that for a while now

[@michelleboshard8761]

I've been a fan of Harry Potter for over 20 years. I was heartbroken with JK Rowling. Im not going to support her new art but I am going to hold on to what I have.