J.K. Rowling slammed for ‘transphobic’ new book about cross-dressing serial killer

15 September 2020, 11:44

Daniel Radcliffe reads the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Sophie Thompson

By Sophie Thompson

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is once again being called out as she releases new book Troubled Blood, not only with an anti-trans plot line, but under her pen name Robert Galbraith - a known LGBTQ+ conversion therapist.

J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter author and known internet 'TERF', has come under fire again following the release of her new book, Troubled Blood.

The book itself is being called out for its anti-trans plot line, as a cisgender male cross-dresses as a woman to abduct his victims. It's thought by theorists that the story is based off the murder of GP Margot Bamborough in 1974, a victim of Dennis Creed, a cross-dressing serial killer. Critics online believe the moral of the storyline seems to be “never trust a man in a dress.” 

Not only that, but the new novel is penned under J.K. Rowling's known pseudonym, Robert Galbraith, which is the name of a famous American psychiatrist from the 1900s, who practised LGBTQ+ conversion therapy. It's not known whether it's merely a coincidence, as the name is reportedly a combination of the author's favourite political figure (Robert F. Kennedy) and her childhood fantasy name, Ella Galbraith. However, she's yet to comment on the conspiracy.

READ MORE: Halsey calls out JK Rowling over transphobic comments

The book follows the story of a cross-dressing serial killer.
The book follows the story of a cross-dressing serial killer. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Only recently was the 55-year-old called out for transphobia on Twitter, by using her platform to invalidate trans women, and the internet has officially had enough.

Rowling tweeted about an article on healthcare in equality: “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

Not for the first time, #RIPJKRowling was soon trending worldwide in light of her recent move, and Twitter itself had to issue a correction that she hadn't actually died, but was being cancelled by former readers.

Many are now using the thread to champion LGBTQ+ charities and creators.

Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid in the Harry Potter franchise, has since defended the author over accusations of transphobia.

He told Radio Times: "I don't think what she said was offensive really. I don't know why but there's a whole Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended.

"They wouldn't have won the war, would they? That's me talking like a grumpy old man, but you just think, 'Oh, get over yourself. Wise up, stand up straight and carry on."

J.K. Rowling is yet to comment on the matter. So...I guess we're Lord Of The Rings fans now.

READ MORE: QUIZ: How well do you know LGBTQ+ history?