J.K. Rowling BANNED From 'Harry Potter' Anniversary Special For Past Transphobic Comments

Yesterday, The Blast reported that the cast of the “Harry Potter” franchise was returning to Hogwarts with a special commemorating the 20th anniversary of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” which made its debut on November 14, 2001.

The special, titled, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” is described as an “enchanting making-of story through all-new, in-depth interviews, and cast conversations.”

The three leads of the film, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Hermione Granger have all confirmed their participation in the special, along with Tom Felton and “Sorcerer’s Stone” director Chris Columbus.

Joining them in the special are “Harry Potter” alum Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and Ian Hart.

However, there is one name absent from that list: the series creator, J.K. Rowling.

Rowling has faced serious criticism and backlash ever since she made comments about the transgender community last year.

In June 2020, Rowling retweeted a news story of an organization working to provide hygiene and health services for people who menstruate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It seems Rowling took offense to the term, as she commented, “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

Fans immediately Rowling to task. One person clapped back with, “I know you know this because you have been told over and over and over again, but transgender men can menstruate. Non-binary people menstruate. I, a 37-year old woman with a uterus, have not menstruated in a decade. Women are not defined by their periods.”

Unfortunately, instead of apologizing, only seemed to make things worse. At the end of a lengthy Twitter thread, she wrote, “I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.”

Another fan immediately responded with, “there is sooo much to unpack here. first of all trans people ARE discriminated against on the basis of being trans, there is no ‘if’, and here you are, not marching with the LGBT community.”

“second of all, saying that your life has been shaped by being a female is 1000000% implying that you don’t believe trans women are women and that IS hateful. trans women experience hate not only for being trans but ALSO for being women!! stop trying so hard to be politically correct if you can’t even do it right, its truly embarassing and i feel so much empathy and sadness for your trans readers.”

Although some fans still support Rowling, she has alienated a large portion of her trans fanbase, who want nothing more to do with her after she refuses to apologize for her insensitive comments.

According to People, J.K. Rowling has not filmed any new footage for the special. However, she was heavily involved in the making of the films, and she will appear in archived footage shown throughout the special.

Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson have all spoken out against Rowling’s insensitive comments, and even “Saturday Night Live” comedian Pete Davidson said that he was “very hurt” by Rowling’s “very disappointing” comments.

"What’s wrong with her?" he asked at the time. "She creates a seven-book fantasy series about all types of mythical creatures living in harmony with wizards and elves and the one thing she can’t wrap her head around is Laverne Cox? She’s a national treasure."

“Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” will be made available for streaming on HBO Max on January 1, 2022.