Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community which some readers may find distressing.
Kids today will never know the joy of growing up with Harry Potter.
Of course, they can read the books and watch the movies, but they'll never experience the thrill of skipping school to read the newly released instalment or rushing to the cinema with their mates to watch the latest film.
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Millennials in particular have often been mocked for their intense passion for everything Potter, from getting cringeworthy tattoos to spending thousands on themed weddings.
But, fans' love for the 'Wizarding World' has somewhat soured over the past few years due to author JK Rowling's rather controversial views on LGBTQ+ issues.
Arguably, one of the 59-year-old's most shocking comments came in the form of a 2020 post on X in which she responded to an opinion piece about 'people who menstruate'.
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She wrote: "'People who menstruate.' I’m sure there used to be a word for those people.
"Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"
Rowling recently spoke out about President Donald Trump's new executive order - which seeks to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls and women's sports teams - writing on X: "Congratulations to every single person on the left who’s been campaigning to destroy women’s and girls’ rights.
"Without you, there’d be no images like this."
As a result, many former fans have distanced themselves from the franchise, with some even choosing to boycott Rowling's works.
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But she doesn't seem to care, responding boldly to an X post from one of her critics back in September 2024.
The original post read: "You are a stupid and horrible woman. My kids and I enjoyed burning your books and roasting marshmallows over your pathetic books."
Rowling then quipped: "I get the royalties whether you read or burn them. Enjoy your marshmallows," alongside a kissing face emoji.
But Potterheads aren't the only people to have distanced themselves from the author.
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Over the past few years, several actors from the films have clarified that their own views do not align with those expressed by Rowling.
In an essay for the LGBTQ+ organisation The Trevor Project, Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe apologised for any 'pain' Rowling's views may have inflicted on the community.
Meanwhile, Hermione Granger actress Emma Watson told her fans: "I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."
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And, Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the film franchise, said in a 2020 statement: "I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men."
He later added in an interview with the Times: "I liken JK Rowling to an auntie. I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie. It’s a tricky one."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected].
Topics: Celebrity, JK Rowling, Harry Potter, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+
Bec Oakes