K Rowling, the celebrated author of the Harry Potter series, marked her 23rd wedding anniversary with a social media post on Tuesday (26 December). However, the post reignited discussions about her “cancellation” due to her controversial views on transgender issues.
Rowling posted a photo alongside her husband, Neil Murray, celebrating their 23 years of marriage. The post soon garnered reactions, including one sarcastic comment suggesting her husband should leave her for a trans woman. Rowling humorously replied that Murray’s response to the comment had left her laughing uncontrollably.
She later joked in a follow-up comment, “I’m not about to get my husband cancelled. One in the family’s enough!”
The author’s remarks resurfaced debates surrounding her outspoken stance on transgender women. Rowling first sparked backlash in December 2019 after voicing her support for researcher Maya Forstater, whose contract was not renewed following controversial tweets about gender identity. Fans and activists labeled Rowling a “TERF” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), a term she has publicly opposed.
Rowling further addressed her position on her personal website through an essay titled “TERF Wars,” outlining her concerns about modern gender activism. These remarks have led prominent actors from the Harry Potter franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, to distance themselves from Rowling. Both have issued public statements showing their support for the transgender community, with Radcliffe apologizing “for the pain” Rowling’s comments have caused.
When asked in April 2024 if she would forgive the Potter stars should they apologize for their disapproval, Rowling stated, “Save their apologies” for “traumatized detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single-sex spaces.”
Rowling continues to be at the center of heated debates regarding gender identity, prompting ongoing discussions about the intersections of free speech, personal beliefs, and public accountability.