June 6, 2020: Rowling retweets an opinion piece published on the Devex website entitled “Creating a more equitable post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate”.
She criticized the use of the phrase, which has been used to include transgender men who were born women and are still capable of menstruating. She wrote: “I’m sure there used to be a word for these people. someone help me whoops wimpund? Woomud?’
Her tweet immediately provoked a barrage of criticism from her LGBTQ followers.
The author then responded to the criticism by retweeting a gay fan’s comment criticizing “extremists” for “insisting that biological sex is an illusion.”
Ms Rowling added: “If sex isn’t real then there is no same-sex attraction. When sex is not real, the lived reality of women worldwide is erased.
“I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex robs many of their ability to meaningfully talk about their lives. It’s not hate to tell the truth.’
June 9, 2020: Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe penned an opinion piece for The Trevor Project criticizing Rowling.
He wrote, “To anyone who now feels that their experience of the books has been clouded or diminished, I am deeply sorry that these comments have caused you pain.”
Emma Watson and Rupert Grint also criticized the author.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” Eddie Redmayne, 38, also joined the chorus of critics against Rowling. In a statement released to Variety, Eddie replied, “As someone who has worked with both JK Rowling and members of the trans community …
“I wanted to make it clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men, and non-binary identities are valid.’
June 10, 2020: Rowling posts a lengthy blog on her website, revealing her experiences of domestic violence and sexual assault. She says her experience was one of the reasons she spoke out.
She wrote: “I’ve been in the public eye for over 20 years now and have never spoken publicly about being a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“It’s not because I’m ashamed that these things happened to me, it’s because it’s traumatic to look back at and remember them.
“I’m not bringing these things up now to gain sympathy, but out of solidarity with the vast number of women who have a history like mine, who have been vilified as bigots for their concerns about same-sex spaces.”
August 28, 2020: Rowling returns an award from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Organization.
Rowling wrote online that Kerry Kennedy, the organization’s president and daughter of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, “felt it necessary to release a statement denouncing my views,” on the group’s website.
“The statement falsely implied that I was transphobic and that I was responsible for harm done to trans people,” she said.
“As a long-time donor to LGBT charities and a supporter of trans people’s right to live free from persecution, I firmly reject the accusation that I hate trans people or wish them harm, or that standing up for women’s rights is wrong , discriminatory, or incites harm or violence against the trans community.’
September 15, 2020: Rowling faces new controversy after it was revealed her new novel features a “transvestite serial killer”.
September 30, 2020: Several leading celebs including Ian McEwan and John Cleese sign an open letter in support of Rowling.
July 2021: Rowling reveals multiple death threats against her over her comments on transgender issues.
October 2021: Comedian Dave Chappelle enthusiastically supports JK Rowling in her take on the transgender community, saying he is “Team TERFT” while slamming them for deposing the Harry Potter author.
Chappelle made the comment controversial on his Netflix.
November 17, 2021: It is reported that Rowling will not appear at the 20th anniversary reunion of the first Harry Potter film.
November 21, 2021: Rowling blasted three trans activists for trying to ‘intimidate’ them after they protested outside their home before posting a picture of their address on social media.
Three activists posed outside Rowling’s Edinburgh home and held up pro-trans signs. The author’s address was prominently displayed in the background of a photo of the activists that was widely circulated on Twitter.
December 2021: Harry Potter stars and Warner Bros. come under fire for not including Rowling in the reunion.
She eventually gets 10 minutes of footage.