‘Heartless’ JK Rowling erased from Harry Potter exhibit for ‘hateful’ views | Books | Entertainment

Over the last few years, JK Rowling has caused a rift in her fandom over her views on transgenderism and gender identity.

This includes her questioning if trans women should be allowed in women-only spaces.

The Harry Potter author, who denies being transphobic, has responded to the considerable online backlash a number of times claiming she didn’t mean to upset anyone with her opinions.

She clarified in a post in 2020: “I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”

Nevertheless, there have been strong responses from some critics with a few going as far as erasing her name from Harry Potter related-content.

Aside from one Harry Potter fan offering her books with her name removed, an exhibit on Fantasy has similarly erased references to her entirely.

This has taken place at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture where Rowling’s name has been taken off its Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic exhibition.

Additionally, the author’s image has been removed from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

The decision was made following a blog post written in May by a transgender museum employee accusing Rowling of “transphobic viewpoints” and of being “cold, heartless, joy-sucking.”

This move was confirmed by the museum management over the weekend who said they “root themselves in empathy, collaboration, and empowerment”.

And that they are “looking to create opportunities for underrepresented voices in the arts and culture sector” within the next three years.