Tag: rowling
Judy Blume tweets support of trans community amid J.K. Rowling controversy
Famed coming-of-age novelist Judy Blume has publicly expressed support of the LGBTQ community, in a response to a recent Sunday Times interview that appeared to align her with the anti-trans statements of fellow author J.K. Rowling.
The Sunday Times quoted Blume as saying, “I am behind her 100 percent as I watch from afar.” The story’s headline reads, “The bestselling children’s writer has shaped the minds of millions, just like the Harry Potter author — and she’s every bit as controversial.”
In a statement posted to Blume’s Twitter account on April 16, Blume said the comment was “taken out of context” and that she was merely expressing empathy with those who have been harassed online.
“I wholly support the trans community… I stand with the trans community and vehemently disagree with anyone who does not fully support equality and acceptance for LGBTQIA+ people. Anything to the contrary is total bullshit.”
Blume, known for her best-selling stories about sexuality, puberty, and other topics once seen as “taboo” for young children, is back in the press cycle for the newly released adaptation of her book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The book follows the story of an 11-year-old girl who is navigating the perils of becoming an adult, like growing apart from friends, sex-ed classes, menstruation, and even her own faith.
Following the story’s publication, some Twitter users came to Blume’s defense, noting that the article’s author, Hadley Freeman, has been criticized for her “gender critical” stances and even previously accused of interviewing literary icons to garner support of anti-trans rhetoric. In February 2022, Freeman profiled The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood for The Guardian, questioning whether her anti-cancel culture stance was contradicted by her expression of support for the trans community in response to comments from Rowling.
Freeman issued a response to Blume on Monday, tweeting, “I don’t normally respond to nonsense like this because it’s absurd. But here are screenshots of Judy Blume’s and my conversation. For the record, my quotes are accurate and not disputed. I did not ask Blume about the criticisms against J.K. Rowling — she brought them up herself.”
In light of the controversy, Blume also posted quotes that reiterated her stance against book-banning and censorship, specifically noting her thoughts on the rise of anti-LGBTQ legislation while speaking at Variety’s Power of Women luncheon in April.
“I would like to end this on a sweet and positive note but the reality is, we are right back where we were in the ’80s except it’s the ’80s on steroids,” Blume said to event attendees. “This time it’s not the moral majority or only the religious right. This time it is coming from our government. Lawmakers, drunk with power, with a need to control everything. Sure it’s still sexuality, but it’s gender, it’s LGBTQ+, it’s racism, it’s history itself that’s under fire.”
Harry Potter TV Series For HBO Max Moves Ahead, JK Rowling Reportedly On Board
It’s still very early days and there is no confirmation that a show will ever be made, but Deadline reports that a Harry Potter TV series for HBO Max is moving forward with a major development. The site reported that author JK Rowling–who controls the creative decisions of the series–is nearing a deal to produce the show. The show could span seven seasons, each focusing on one of the books.
“Once she comes on board, the project, which is in nascent stages, is expected to look for a writer. As first reported by Bloomberg, the general idea is for each season of the potential TV series is to focus on one book in the Harry Potter book series, which consists of seven novels,” Deadline said.
There has been talk of a new Harry Potter TV series for some time, but this newest development seems to suggest it could actually happen. Nothing is confirmed, though. There is no word on casting, plot, or a release date for the rumored series, and WB has yet to confirm any official details.
JK Rowling insists age 14 is too young for people to decide to change gender
Hogwarts Legacy Discussion Banned From ResetEra Forum Site Over J.K. Rowling Controversy
JK Rowling blasts Labour spin doctor after he slammed her MP pal
JK ROWLING has let rip at a Labour spin doctor accused of trashing one of the party’s own MPs.
The Harry Potter author was upset by a recording in which the aide to Sir Keir Starmer seems to berate Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield.
Rowling was upset by a recording in which the aide to Sir Keir Starmer seems to berate Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield[/caption]
In the clip, the aide says: “There are people in Canterbury who say, you know, it would be nice if it’s possible to spend more time actually in Canterbury rather than hanging out with JK Rowling.”
But Rowling stuck up for her fellow gender laws critic, saying: “Rosie Duffield, an ex- assistant teacher, single mother and survivor of domestic abuse, won Labour a seat they thought was unwinnable.
“Then she was returned to parliament with an increased majority.
“This is how Labour repays her.”
Police investigate ‘decapitate TERFs’ sign as JK Rowling mocks ‘blindness’ of posing politicians
JK Rowling says: ‘I do not consider myself cancelled’
WBD CEO David Zaslav Open To Working With Rowling On More Harry Potter Content
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said that he’s open to the idea of working with author J.K. Rowling on more Harry Potter content while speaking about the company’s future in a Q3 earnings call.
“We’re going to have a real focus on franchises,” Zaslav said in response to a question asked during the call. “We haven’t had a Superman movie in 13 years. We haven’t done a Harry Potter movie in 15 years. The DC movies and Harry Potter movies provided a lot of the profits of Warner Bros. Motion Pictures over the last 25 years. So a focus on franchise–one of the big advantages that we have, House of the Dragon, is an example of that, Game of Thrones, taking advantage of Sex and the City, Lord of the Rings–we still have the right to do Lord of the Rings movies. What are the movies that have brands that are understood and loved everywhere in the world?”
Regarding Harry Potter specifically, Zasalv said that he would be interested “if we can do something with J.K. on Harry Potter going forward.”
Daniel Radcliffe Says Speaking Out Against Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling Was Important
If you spend any time even adjacent to Harry Potter fandom, it’s hard to have missed the evolving narrative around the series regarding author J.K. Rowling and her beliefs on gender and transgender people. Daniel Radcliffe spoke out against her views early on and explained his rationale in a new interview with IndieWire.
“The reason I felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing Potter, I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that,” Radcliffe explained. “And so seeing them hurt on that day I was like, I wanted to them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important.”
“I’ve worked with the Trevor Project for more than 10 years,” Radcliffe continued, referencing the site where he published his initial letter in June 2020. “And so I don’t think I would’ve been able to look myself in the mirror had I not said anything. But it’s not mine to guess what’s going on in someone else’s head.”