JK Rowling a Transphobe?

Most of the time I write on Facebook much of the stuff I write here.  On the occasion that I want to talk about something without hearing my own opinions regurgitated back at me, I come here.  

Yesterday morning, I woke to this link sent to me on FB Messenger by a friend I met in a seizure support group relatively recently.  I consider her a friend, but have never met her or talked to her on the phone.  I suspect if we lived near enough to actually hang out, we’d wear on each other’s nerves rather quickly.  She likes shock-value.  I prefer to not make people uncomfortable unless they deserve it.  She has created her own group just so she can be as outrageous as she wants, and it’s fun.  On the other hand, I kind of feel like she bullies people who don’t agree with her on some topics related to LGBTQ equality.  She frequently posts memes opposing Chik-Fil-A, and while I have chosen to boycott them over their stupid statements that didn’t need to be made, I don’t judge others who don’t choose to boycott them.  She does. 

So the headline of this article is “JK Rowling Confirms Stance Against Transgender Women.” The article goes on to list some times when Rowling has liked posts that seem to be anti-trans.  The “confirmation,” of which the author speaks, is that Rowling followed a particularly vociferous anti-trans personality on Twitter.

I really felt like my heart might break when I read it through the first time.  It was 4:30 AM, and I’d had a crappy night.  

If you didn’t know, I’m a 48-year-old die-hard Harry Potter nerd!  I have the Deathly Hallows symbol tattooed over my heart as a symbol of the bond between my spirit daughter and myself.  My love for all things Harry Potter has opened doors for so many young people to come and talk to me during their lunch breaks or before school.  I honestly can’t think of anything that gives my life more meaning than being there for young people.

If you haven’t experienced it, it’s really hard to explain the world that we Potter-Weirdos live in.  I have had experiences in which I’m riding my scooter around Walmart, and I see a grown man wearing a Hufflepuff scarf.  We both take double-takes and then point at one another, then in unison, “Love your <insert fan gear here>.”  It’s like finding distant relatives.

And because my passion is in working with young people, this news, if it’s true hits me hard.  My step-daughter-to-be is engaged to a transgender woman.  I met her fiance’ when I went home to California for a visit, and I adore her.  I can’t explain it, but I can sense when a young person needs the love of an older person.  I’m blessed in that they like me and feel comfortable with me, and they want to share their stories with me.

Even the fiance’ is a giant HP nerd!

So my dilemma is that there is this thing in my life that brings me so much joy.  But if appreciating it means alienating people of the LGBTQ community, that would break my heart.  So many of my former students who keep in touch with me are somewhere on the rainbow.  I would never want to hurt them.

But I read the article, and I’m not entirely convinced that we can make such a broad statement about Rowling based on a few clicks.  I wish she would stand up and make a statement about it.  For now, I’m reserving judgment until I can discuss the issue with some of my fangirls.

Then there’s the friend who sent the link.  I think she’s trying to bully me.  I posted my feelings about the article on Facebook, and I was surprised at how many people had opinions.  The particular friend, however, seemed determined that I should boycott all things Potter.  I told her I choose to wait for more evidence, and she replied, “Says someone who doesn’t want to give up HP and Wizarding.”  It made my heart hurt.

I’d like to hear opinions on this, especially if your part of the trans community.  

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