Five years ago, "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling ignited a firestorm by publicly supporting a woman fired for stating that sex is real. This marked the beginning of Rowling's ongoing and very public challenge against what she views as aggressive transgender activism.

On the fifth anniversary of that initial post, Rowling reaffirmed her position, expressing no regrets and voicing solidarity with women who have faced consequences for defending their rights and boundaries, as well as those questioning medical interventions for minors.

Rowling's original 2019 post questioned the fairness of forcing women out of their jobs for acknowledging biological sex while simultaneously advocating for personal freedom of expression and identity.

This stance has cost Rowling dearly, leading to strained relationships with employees, fans, and even the stars of the "Harry Potter" films. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, publicly criticized Rowling's views, while Emma Watson expressed support for the transgender community, emphasizing their right to self-identification.

Rowling has remained defiant despite the backlash. In 2024, she dismissed apologies from celebrities who, she argued, had promoted the erosion of women's rights and the transitioning of minors. She suggested their apologies would be better directed towards those harmed by these movements.

Throughout the past five years, Rowling has consistently used her platform to criticize what she perceives as radical pro-transgender viewpoints. In 2020, she argued that denying the reality of sex undermines discussions about same-sex attraction and women's lived experiences. She also ridiculed an article that used the phrase "people who menstruate" instead of "women."

More recently, Rowling criticized John Oliver for supporting the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports. She accused him of "motivated reasoning and confirmation bias," despite previously having a positive relationship with him through her charity work.

Rowling's ongoing outspokenness continues to generate controversy and debate.