JK Rowling reveals she turned down an invite to a Harry Potter special

Britain’s JK Rowling, 57, author of the hit Harry Potter saga, revealed that she was not snubbed at the recent cast meeting because of her controversial views on transgender rights, but declined an invitation. The statement was made in an interview with Graham Norton, from Virgin Radio, this Saturday (27).

“It was about the movies and not the books, for good reason. That’s what the anniversary was all about. So nobody said not to do it. I was asked to do it and I decided not to,” the author said of the reunion.

The writer’s appearance in the HBO Max special, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter, in January of this year, was widely speculated by fans of the saga due to Rowling’s transphobic statements. She explained that it was her own decision, after fan speculation about her absence.

In the interview, Norton asked Rowling how she thought online attacks and death threats against her could be reduced. The writer said she’s not sure if she or anyone else can reduce it. “I try to behave online as I would like others to behave. I have never threatened anyone,” the author said.

Rowling said that while she loves the “pub fight” atmosphere of Twitter, she now has a “love-hate relationship” with the platform after being away from it for a year. “Social media can be a lot of fun and I like the aspect of the pub argument. It can be fun, but there’s no doubt that social media is a gift to people who want to behave.”

Transgender activists say Rowling’s positions are discriminatory and fail to recognize the difficulties that transgender and non-binary people face, but some feminists argue that it is vital to maintain single-sex spaces to protect vulnerable women.

Rowling has also received criticism for claims she has made in an attempt to defend herself in 2020, including her claim that only people who are “privileged or lucky enough to have never faced male violence” support inclusive spaces.