JK Rowling's New Book Criticized for Transphobic Plot Line
The author was previously called out for tweeting transphobic remarks.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling is again facing backlash over transphobic sentiments, this time in relation to her latest book, Troubled Blood. Activists and reviewers have taken issue with the book’s plot line centering around serial killer Dennis Creed, a cisgender man who dresses as a woman to murder his victims.
Back in June, Rowling tweeted a series of anti-trans remarks invalidating the identities of transgender women. Harry Potter stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint all expressed their support for the trans community following Rowling’s comments. The author’s history of transphobic views was not lost on The Telegraph book critic Jake Kerridge, who observed in his review of Troubled Blood: “One wonders what critics of Rowling’s stance on trans issues will make of a book whose moral seems to be: never trust a man in a dress.” Activist Paris Lees also pointed out that, while Rowling’s book vilifies a “transvestite serial killer,” trans people around the world are murdered at an alarmingly high rate simply for their transgender status.
JK Rowling has not yet commented on the backlash against Troubled Blood.
