Two of the largest Harry Potter fan sites have chosen to distance themselves from author JK Rowling.
The Leaky Cauldron and Mugglenet, which have a total of over a million followers on Facebook, issued a statement explaining that Rowling’s recent comments on transgender issues were “out of step with the message of acceptance and empowerment we find in her books and celebrated by the Harry Potter community.”
“As this fandom enters its third decade, J.K. Rowling has chosen this time to loudly pronounce harmful and disproven beliefs about what it means to be a transgender person,” the statement claims.
“Although it is difficult to speak out against someone whose work we have so long admired, it would be wrong not to use our platforms to counteract the harm she has caused.
“Our stance is firm: Transgender women are women. Transgender men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary. Intersex people exist and should not be forced to live in the binary. We stand with Harry Potter fans in these communities, and while we don’t condone the mistreatment JKR has received, we must reject her beliefs.”
The statement adds that both sites will no longer covering any of the 54-year-old’s personal endeavours, or feature photos of or quotes from Rowling.
The statement comes after Rowling wrote a lengthy personal essay detailing her position over transgender issues. Rowling published the blog after facing criticism for a string of tweets on an article about menstruation.
Rowling herself has denied being transphobic on multiple occasions.
The row has seen numerous stars from the Harry Potter franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Fantastic Beasts frontman Eddie Redmayne, throw their support behind the trans community.
Four authors have quit the literary agency the Blair Partnership, which represents Rowling, in protest.
Standard Online has contacted JK Rowling’s agent for comment.
