FOR FREE PEOPLE

FOR FREE PEOPLE

(Neil Jacobs via Getty Images)

J.K. Rowling Addresses Her Critics

As more people burned her books over the weekend, the author confronts the idea that she is ‘dangerous’ and ‘transphobic.’

By The Free Press

March 28, 2023

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling has sparked a conversation all over the world about moral panics, the toxicity surrounding the subject of sex and gender, and more. It’s a story that’s still unfolding—and it’s one that goes well beyond the confines of a single podcast. 

In Chapter 7: What If You’re Wrong?, released this morning, Megan Phelps-Roper asks J.K. Rowling to respond directly to the most incisive accusations lodged by her critics. Among those criticisms: that the Harry Potter author is engaging in bigotry; that she is blind to her transphobia; and that her words are creating an environment that is dangerous to trans people.

The two also discuss the difficulty of discernment—why it can be so hard to know if you are standing up for what’s right—and the difference between what Rowling says she believes and what her critics claim she does.

No matter where you stand on this heated debate, we think you’ll find her answers well worth your time.

You can listen now on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Or press play right here:

And if you haven’t had a chance to listen to the show yet, get started now on Chapter One: Plotted in Darkness

We’ll be back with an epilogue in just a few weeks.

Subscribe now

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling is proudly sponsored by Moink Box, Netsuite, and Stamps.com.

  • For the first time in NetSuite’s 22 years as the No. 1 cloud financial system, you can defer payments of a full NetSuite implementation for six months. Take advantage of this special financing offer: netsuite.com/witchtrials

  • Get started with Stamps.com today for a special offer that includes free postage, a four-week trial, and a free digital scale. Go to www.stamps.com, click the microphone at the top of the page, and enter code “WITCHTRIALS.”

our Comments

Use common sense here: disagree, debate, but don't be a .

the fp logo
comment bg

Welcome to The FP Community!

Our comments are an editorial product for our readers to have smart, thoughtful conversations and debates — the sort we need more of in America today. The sort of debate we love.   

We have standards in our comments section just as we do in our journalism. If you’re being a jerk, we might delete that one. And if you’re being a jerk for a long time, we might remove you from the comments section. 

Common Sense was our original name, so please use some when posting. Here are some guidelines:

  • We have a simple rule for all Free Press staff: act online the way you act in real life. We think that’s a good rule for everyone.
  • We drop an occasional F-bomb ourselves, but try to keep your profanities in check. We’re proud to have Free Press readers of every age, and we want to model good behavior for them. (Hello to Intern Julia!)
  • Speaking of obscenities, don’t hurl them at each other. Harassment, threats, and derogatory comments that derail productive conversation are a hard no.
  • Criticizing and wrestling with what you read here is great. Our rule of thumb is that smart people debate ideas, dumb people debate identity. So keep it classy. 
  • Don’t spam, solicit, or advertise here. Submit your recommendations to tips@thefp.com if you really think our audience needs to hear about it.
Close Guidelines

Latest