Harry Potter’s J.K. Rowling at premier of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling appears to be “uncancelled” after attending the premiere of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore in London on Tuesday.

Author J.K. Rowling appears to be “uncancelled” after attending the premiere of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore in London on Tuesday.

The Harry Potter franchise creator defied her critics as she hit the red carpet at The Royal Festival Hall amid calls for her to be black-listed for comments that have angered the trans community — including saying that only women menstruate.

The 56-year-old — who has been accused of “transphobia” over her comments — posed for photos but did not take any questions from the press as she made her way inside the star-studded event.

British writer J.K Rowling poses on the red carpet after arriving to attend the world premiere of the film Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore in London. Picture: Getty

The outing comes just days after she hit back at Russian President Vladimir Putin for comparing himself to her after his country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Putin had complained about cancel culture while criticising the West’s treatment of Russia and referenced the public backlash faced by Rowling as an example of what he claims to be unfair treatment.

‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?

Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. 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.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

Rowling later hit back on Twitter and declared her support for Ukraine.

“Critiques of Western cancel culture are possibly not best made by those currently slaughtering civilians for the crime of resistance, or who jail and poison their critics. #IStandWithUkraine,” she tweeted.

Rowling’s night out comes after she skipped a recent Harry Potter reunion special amid the ongoing criticism she received over comments she made two years ago.

In 2020, the mother-of-three mocked an opinion piece which used the trans-inclusive phrase “people who menstruate”, which sparked a firestorm of criticism including backlash from Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe.

The stars of Harry Potter — Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson — have condemned Rowling’s comments. Picture: Getty

“‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? …” she tweeted.

Radcliffe appeared to condemn Rowling’s comments in an essay designed to raise awareness about LGBTQ suicide prevention.

“Transgender women are women,” he wrote.

“Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people …”

Radcliffe’s co-star Emma Watson also distanced herself from Rowling.

“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” Watson tweeted.

Actor Rupert Grint echoed similar sentiments by saying, “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men.”

Rowling has expressed support for “trans lives matter” in the past but previously opposed a Gender Recognition Reform Bill in Scotland, which would make it easier for trans people to legally change their gender.

Originally published as Harry Potter’s J.K. Rowling at premier of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore