In September of last year, J.K Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, published Troubled Blood under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. The fifth Cormoran Strike crime novel has raised some outcries among the transgender community. 

The book follows Cormoran Strike, a private detective, and his partner Robin Ellacott who were tasked with investigating the disappearance of Margot Hamphyrge who went missing 40 years previously. The book features a serial killer who crossdresses to lure his victims into a false sense of safety.

This could be immensely damaging to the transgender community. Thirty-six transgender individuals have been murdered in the U.S so far in 2020. These are the highest numbers documented, exceeding 2019’s total of 27. Sarah Kate Ellis, president of LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD, stated “many trans people killed by violence are misgendered by police and misrepresented in the media.”  While J.K Rowling’s book may not directly affect the community it is encouraging the prejudices against trans individuals and the idea that they are predators. In Brazil, the number of violent killings rose over 70% in the last year and 16 transgender individuals committed suicide just in the first 6 months of 2020.

Troubled Blood is immensely damaging to the trans community, and Rowling has also taken to Twitter to voice her thoughts on trans individuals. In June of 2020 she tweeted “ ‘people who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumpen? Wimpund? Woomund?,” in response to a story titled “Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.” She immediately faced fan backlash including some from the actors who played the characters she created. 

Daniel Radcliffe came out with a statement voicing his thoughts on J.K. Rowling’s tweets as well as Emma Watson, Rubert Grint, Bonnie Wright and Eddie Redmayne.

“As someone who has worked with both J.K. Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand,” said Eddie Redmayne, who plays Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, in a statement to variety. “I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid. I would never want to speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which are all too often results in violence and abuse. They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so.”

Later that day J.K Rowling voiced her opinion on biological sex in a series of tweets. Jonathan Van Ness, media personality and co-host of Queer Eye, retweeted J.K Rowling’s tweet with the reply, “trans Black people & trans non-Black people are discriminated against every single day. They’re dying. We’re fighting for Black people & trans people and you’re doing this?”

J.K Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, something that was a huge part of many people’s childhoods, is inflicting damage in a time when the trans community needs support. Even with COVID restrictions and limitations, there’s so much people can do to contribute to this conversation. Sign petitions, normalize/use correct pronouns and educate yourself on the history and terminology used in the trans community. Information regarding Transgender Awareness Week can be found in article by Delaney McCorkle and Olivia Miller.