The author of the Harry Potter books has responded to why some people are boycotting Hogwarts Legacy.

In the past, JK Rowling has been dismissive of the transgender audience, saying that anyone who doesn’t want to play the game shouldn’t read her books or stay away from the films. Now, however, she has responded to Jessie Earl, a writer, and filmmaker, on Twitter after she wrote that her support for Hogwarts Legacy is harmful because Rowling would use it as an “ongoing platform to target and also justify her continued targeting of trans people is harmful to trans people.”

Rowling responded, “I am deeply disappointed Earl doesn’t realize purethink is incompatible with owning ANYTHING connected with me, in ANY form. The truly righteous wouldn’t just burn their books and movies, the local library, anything with an owl on it, and their pet dogs.” She then responded to a reply (whose poster’s name was censored), “I’m appalled. This individual advocates reading books because “nobody needs to know.” All fine and dandy until you get drunk and accidentally quote one, sonny. “I never did it in public” won’t save you when the police see your Hufflepuff socks.”

Rowling’s public statements have led to Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint (the three main characters’ actors in the films) speaking out against her. Radcliffe has also published an open letter expressing her belief that trans women should be treated as women. Even Hogwarts Legacy’s publisher, WB Games, distanced itself somewhat from Rowling’s statement in 2020 when the company claimed Rowling had no direct involvement in the game’s creation. However, it did praise her writing style in the skies. WB Games chairman David Haddad said Rowling had every right to express her views on social media.

Haddad’s guideline is to follow: you can post anything on Twitter, and it can be your own opinion. Not everyone will agree with us all the time.

Source: PSL