JK Rowling references faraway from Seattle museum after weblog put up condemns ‘hateful’ views on gender id

All references to JK Rowling have been faraway from a museum in Seattle after one worker referred to her views on gender id as “hateful”.

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) within the US metropolis took out all references to the Harry Potter writer from its exhibition Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic, and eliminated her picture from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

The determination got here after a prolonged weblog put up was written by a transgender museum worker again in May, that accused the writer of “transphobic viewpoints”.

On Sunday, the museum administration confirmed the choice, saying they “root themselves in empathy, collaboration, and empowerment” and are “looking to create opportunities for underrepresented voices in the arts and culture sector” throughout the subsequent three years.

Rowling, 58, has acquired a barrage of on-line abuse after her feedback on transgender points, which got here to mild in a lot of posts on X (previously Twitter) that she revealed in 2020.

The museum’s weblog put up mentioned that on account of what it known as Rowling’s “super hateful and divisive views” it was eradicating any point out of the writer on artefacts, as a substitute concentrating on “the work of the actors, prop makers, and costume designers”.

“For the time being, the curators decided to remove any of her artefacts from this gallery to reduce her impact. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s what we were able to do in the short-term while determining long-term practices,” they wrote.

The put up added: “We learned that [Rowling] was a problem, which is why you’ll see the artefacts without any mention or image of the author. I’m not even talking about ‘separating art from artist’ but giving credit where it’s due.”

Many stars of the Harry Potter movie franchise – together with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint – have spoken out publicly in opposition to Rowling’s views on gender.

In a 2022 interview with Sky News, actor Tom Felton was blocked from answering a query on Rowling, insisting that she was “not relevant” regardless of the event celebrating the twenty fifth anniversary of the primary e-book within the collection – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

American movie firm Warner Bros. then mentioned in an announcement that it was “wholly wrong” and that they’re “proud” to work with “one of the world’s most accomplished storytellers”.

‘Never got down to upset anybody’

In the previous, Rowling has responded to the backlash she has acquired, saying she “never set out to upset anyone”.

The writer has at all times denied accusations of transphobia and mentioned there have been “a tonne of Potter followers that had been grateful that I mentioned what I mentioned“.

Among the posts she had written in June 2020, one mentioned: “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.”

Speaking on a podcast in February this yr, she mentioned: “What has interested me in the last 10 years and certainly in the last few years, particularly on social media: ‘You’ve ruined your legacy, oh you could have been beloved forever but you chose to say this’ and I think you could not have misunderstood me more profoundly.

“I don’t stroll round my home occupied with my legacy. What a pompous method to reside your life – strolling round occupied with what my legacy might be. Whatever. I’ll be lifeless. I care about now. I care in regards to the dwelling.”

JK Rowling’s consultant has been approached by Sky News for remark.