It’s no secret that Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has spent the last few years targeting the transgender community. Now, her disdain seems to be expanding to other members of the LGBTQ+ spectrum — and frankly, it’s getting exhausting.
On April 6, International Asexuality Day — a celebration of people who experience little to no sexual attraction — Rowling once again used her platform to mock and belittle a community she clearly has no interest in understanding. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she posted:
“Happy International Fake Oppression Day to everyone who wants complete strangers to know they don’t fancy a shag.”
She didn’t stop there. In the replies, she continued:
“Sure, people are still killed for being gay in a lot of countries, but straight people who don’t fancy a quickie are being literally ignored to death.”
She also expressed confusion over how someone could be both gay and asexual — a question that a basic Google search could easily answer. But learning seems less important to Rowling than scoring cheap shots for online attention.
Rather than educating herself on the nuanced experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals — including the distinction between sexual and romantic attraction — she chooses to punch down. Again.
This isn’t new for Rowling. Her public record of anti-trans rhetoric is long and well-documented. Most recently, she lashed out at Last Week Tonight host John Oliver for an episode discussing trans women in sports. She accused him of selling out and told him to “read the f—— room.”
Ironically, reading the room is something Rowling appears unwilling or unable to do. She has alienated countless fans and added fuel to a culture already hostile to transgender and LGBTQ+ people.
There are so many more productive things she could be doing with her time — writing, mentoring young authors, or simply enjoying her estimated $1.23 billion fortune in peace. But instead, she chooses to spend her days tearing down vulnerable communities for social media clout.
Like millions of others, I grew up with Harry Potter. I still remember the midnight book releases, the excitement, the magic. Rowling created a world where misfits found belonging — only to later use her real-world influence to do the opposite.
It’s especially bitter coming from someone who built her legacy on fantasy and the power of acceptance, yet now refuses to accept the very real existence of people whose identities don’t fit her narrow worldview.
With all the power and resources in the world, Rowling could be a force for good. Instead, she’s chosen to double down on hate — and in doing so, she’s not just damaging her own legacy. She’s hurting people who once saw themselves in the world she created.
Imagine having everything, and still choosing cruelty.
