JK Rowling clarifies political views (2024)

Author JK Rowling has clarified her political views after a social media user accused her of having "far-right" sympathies over her views on transgender women.

Over the past few years, the Harry Potter writer has sparked debate—and backlash—over her expressed statements on trans women, leading some activists to brand Rowling a "TERF"—an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist.

On Sunday, British-born Rowling responded to a person on X, formerly Twitter, who suggested that her politics were more aligned with right-wing ideologies.

Newsweek has contacted a representative of Rowling via email for comment.

"@jk_rowling is far right," read the post. "[I don't care] how many times she pretends she isn't. She gets all of her information from [neo-Nazi] publications and far-right hate groups. [She] believes a far-right conspiracy theory that is basically just 'the Protocols of the elders of Zion,' but for trans [people]."

Sharing a lengthy response, Rowling wrote: "You can keep telling yourself this, but you're simply wrong. I'm a left-leaning liberal who's fiercely anti-authoritarian, and if you couldn't deduce that from my work you haven't understood a word of it.

"I'm not an ideologue. I mistrust ideologies," she continued. "I've never met an ideologue who wasn't prepared to deny a bit of inconvenient truth to keep their world view intact and I include ideologies with which I find myself in broad sympathy. On the other hand, I am an idealist. I believe in human beings. We are undeniably capable of terrible acts, but the evidence is that we are astoundingly collaborative and mutually supportive, especially when times are hard."

Rowling went on to state that it's not her values that have changed in recent years, but rather "the political landscape."

"What was once my natural home (a pragmatic centre-left party focused on dealing with economic disparity, championing social liberalism and equal rights) is now dominated by an illiberal, identity-based strain of politics I consider elitist, harmful and out of touch with the day-to-day concerns of regular people, particularly women (and I've still lived more than half of my life as a non-wealthy woman, and some of that time was spent in poverty)," she stated.

"There are women with whom I make common cause in the TERF wars I disagree with on other things. Within obvious limits (sucking up to literal Nazis) I don't particularly care about their personal politics. The reality is that there's currently an assault on women's rights unparalleled in my lifetime, and it's coming from both left and right. If ever there was a time for women across the political spectrum to come together, it is now."

The post, which as of press time had garnered more than 3.5 million views, sparked a discussion among X users.

"The left hates you," read one response. "Why do you still identify with that side? It's interesting to me when folks do this, but it's especially interesting when the greatest writer of the last 50 years does. Which aspects draw you in?"

"By the old left/right metrics (which I accept have been massively disrupted) I am left wing. Not hard left, but definitely left of centre," Rowling wrote in response. "However, I believe the left in the West has taken a dangerous and self-defeating turn, embracing a form of identity politics that is fundamentally destructive to values the left once respected, especially freedom of speech and fundamental liberalism.

"I'm not a tribal person, so I haven't embraced those positions because 'my team' has decreed that's what we're doing now. Yes, I've received a lot of blowback from the left for not meekly accepting the new ethos. But principles aren't dictated by other people's approval."

"I was never in this to feel part of a team (one of the undersung benefits of being a true introvert)," she added. "So I won't be running to embrace a new team to feel good about myself, because that would be just as insincere as pretending to believe in the identity stuff to keep myself in with the left."

Another X user asked if Rowling had any regrets, asking: "Why did you feel the need to insert yourself into a very controversial social issue that you likely knew would alienate so many of your readers?"

"Because I'm not the Queen Mother," Rowling wrote back. "It is not incumbent on me to be the world's favourite old lady. I'll go down fighting for women and girls, and screw being bland and cosy."

In another post, Rowling said that she chose to speak out on certain issues because she "did look around and think, 'It's going to have to be me.' It had to be someone who could take the hit. Too many women lost too much in standing up and it should shame the left that they let that happen."

Views on Transgender Issues

Rowling stirred controversy in 2019 when she publicly supported Maya Forstater, a U.K. tax specialist who was fired over tweets that were deemed by some to be anti-trans.

In an essay published on her personal website in June 2020, Rowling shared some of her views on transgender issues.

She wrote: "When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he's a woman—and, as I've said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones—then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth."

Also in June 2020, Rowling reacted to an article that referred to "people who menstruate," writing on X: "I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

While some trans activists hit back at Rowling, she stood her ground on the issue.

Rowling said on X at the time: "If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth."

"I respect every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them," she went on. "I'd march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it's hateful to say so."

Several actors associated with the Harry Potter franchise have publicly disagreed with her, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

In July 2021, Rowling stated on then Twitter that she had received a "pipebomb" threat amid an onslaught of attacks over her previous statements about trans women.

She has continued to speak out about the way that the internet has "canceled" her, tweeting in support of singer Macy Gray, who in July 2022 made several controversial comments on the definition of a woman.

Gray faced backlash on X, prompting Rowling to write in response: "Endless death and rape threats, threats of loss of livelihood, employers targeted, physical harassment, family address posted online with picture of bomb-making manual aren't 'mean comments.' If you don't yet understand what happens to women who stand up on this issue, back off."