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Credit: Inside the MagicIt seems hard to think about a time when the Harry Potter universe was not a part of our lives. Unknown British author J.K. Rowling published her first book — Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone — in 1997, and she quickly changed the world. Four years later, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (the U.S. version of the book’s name) hit theaters worldwide.
In total, Rowling would write seven Harry Potter books, which would be turned into eight movies. There is also a spinoff film series — Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Not only that, but The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a huge part of the Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Beijing, and Universal Studios Japan.
Related: ‘Harry Potter’ Star Tells Fans to “Grow Up” and Get Over It
For years, J.K. Rowling was beloved by fans all over the world, and she even became the first author to become a billionaire. However, in recent years, her reputation has taken a major hit, and fans have turned against the author for her extremist views on and discrimination against the transgender community. She has even become known as a TERF — a Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist.
Rowling’s trouble began in 2019 when she publicly supported a woman who had been terminated from her job because she had made anti-trans statements. Since then, Rowling has doubled down on her beliefs, attacked multiple people, and even ruined her once-close relationship with Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.
Related: J.K. Rowling Says She Would “Happily” Go to Prison For Committing Hate Crimes
Despite the backlash, Rowling has not stopped her transphobic attacks. And she has now decided to aim her hatred at transgender Paralympian Valentina Petrillo.
Ms. Petrillo is a visually impaired transgender sprinter who transitioned in 2019. She said she was so thankful for her time in Paris and was welcomed by everyone there, calling the experience “beautiful.” When Petrillo competed in the T12 200m and 400m races, she became the first openly transgender athlete to do so.
Sadly, Ms. Petrillo’s Olympic experience was somewhat marred when J.K. Rowling called her an “out and proud cheat.” It should be noted that the World Para Athletics sets the parameters that transgender athletes must follow. Petrillo adhered to all the guidelines and was allowed to compete in Paris.
Why all the anger about the inspirational Petrillo? The cheat community has never had this kind of visibility! Out and proud cheats like Petrillo prove the era of cheat-shaming is over. What a role model! I say we give Lance Armstrong his medals back and move on. #Cheats #NoShame
Why all the anger about the inspirational Petrillo? The cheat community has never had this kind of visibility! Out and proud cheats like Petrillo prove the era of cheat-shaming is over. What a role model! I say we give Lance Armstrong his medals back and move on. #Cheats #NoShame pic.twitter.com/bvqhs3DexI
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 2, 2024
Related: ‘Harry Potter’ Star Celebrates End of Pride Month by Mocking Trans Community
Rowling shared her controversial views on X (formerly Twitter). She even went so far as to compare Ms. Petrillo to Lance Armstrong, saying that since Petrillo was allowed to compete, Armstrong should be given back his medals. Armstrong was stripped of all titles and wins dating back to 1998 in 2013, when he admitted to doping.
Petrillo said that she expected the backlash when she was allowed to compete, since she has faced discrimination ever since her transition. However, she does not allow it to affect her life or how much she loves the life she is living. And when it comes to J.K. Rowling’s thoughts on her? She doesn’t really care that much.
“JK Rowling is only concerned about the fact that I use the female toilet, but she doesn’t know anything about me.”
Petrillo also said that she has never read any of the books in the Harry Potter series.
Transphobic Attacks Land Rowling in Legal Trouble
Valentina Petrillo is not the only Olympic athlete that J.K. Rowling has publicly attacked, but her attacks have gone from merely hateful words to an actual lawsuit. She could be forced to pay millions in damages and potentially lose her executive producer role in the new Harry Potter series being developed by Warner Bros. for Max (formerly HBO).
Imane Khelif is a female professional boxer from Algeria who won the gold medal in the Women’s 66KG Boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics. However, her participation was surrounded by controversy when false claims were made on social media saying that Khelif was actually a transgender woman.
The claims were fuelled by Khelif’s disqualification from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships. The Russian-led International Boxing Association said that Khelif had failed an unspecified gender eligibility test. However, the IBA did not provide the supposed test results, and the International Olympic Committee said that there was no evidence to support the claims made against the boxer.
J.K. Rowling refused to believe the medical evidence and continued to claim that Khelif was actually a man. She tweeted that a man should not be allowed to punch a woman “in the name of sport.”
The idea that those objecting to a male punching a female in the name of sport are objecting because they believe Khelif to be ‘trans’ is a joke. We object because we saw a male punching a female.
The idea that those objecting to a male punching a female in the name of sport are objecting because they believe Khelif to be ‘trans’ is a joke. We object because we saw a male punching a female. https://t.co/KSAM5RCl1S
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 2, 2024
On August 13, Khelif officially filed a cyberbullying lawsuit against not only J.K. Rowling, but also X as a website, and she specifically named CEO Elon Musk.
Under French law, filing the lawsuit against X as a company means that anyone who posted hateful rhetoric against Khelif, including Rowling. Khelif’s lawyer also said that former President Donald Trump will be investigated for the things that he said about the boxer. Even though the lawsuit was filed in France, many countries have similar anti-hate speech laws that work in conjunction with French law.
Do you think J.K. Rowling needs to let up on her attacks on members of the transgender community? Is it about time she is held responsible for the things that she says? Let us know in the comments!
This post originally appeared on Disney Dining.