“Harry Potter” creator JK Rowling has once again sparked controversy in the ongoing debate about gender-questioning youth, asserting that “trans kids” are a myth and predicting that medical interventions for gender identity will one day be deemed “worse than lobotomies.”
The latest dispute began when a critic on social media accused the billionaire author of maintaining a “hateful focus” on the topic and urged her to use her influence for positive change. In response, Rowling, 59, reiterated her contentious views, posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, “There are no trans kids. No child is in the wrong body.”
Rowling further criticized adults, including parents, teachers, and medical professionals, for supporting what she sees as harmful ideologies about gender identity.
She argued, “There are only adults like you, prepared to sacrifice the health of minors to bolster your belief in an ideology that will end up wreaking more harm than lobotomies and false memory syndrome combined.”
The author also condemned schools for allegedly affirming children’s transgender identities without parental knowledge and criticized platforms like TikTok, claiming they expose children to videos promoting gender modification as if it were as simple as assembling Lego pieces.
She expressed concern for parents struggling to protect their children from societal pressures, which, she argued, promote the idea that everyday anxieties about puberty, sexuality, and growing up can be resolved through medical interventions. “Kids are being told that these issues can be fixed by lifelong reliance on Big Pharma and by doctors who make Frankenstein look ethical,” Rowling said.
Rowling’s controversial views often centre on the belief that the transgender movement infringes on women-only spaces, such as sports and public restrooms. Her stance has frequently placed her at odds with activists, leading to boycotts and death threats over the years.
Many stars from the “Harry Potter” film franchise, which catapulted Rowling to global fame, have publicly distanced themselves from her opinions. Despite this backlash, polls suggest that Rowling’s views on medical treatments for transgender-identifying youth align with the majority of Americans.
A Washington Post-KFF survey on transgender issues in America found that 68% of U.S. adults oppose providing puberty blockers to minors. This data reflects the growing divide on the topic, with Rowling continuing to be a prominent, polarizing voice in the debate.
