She has posted long blog posts about “reasons to be worried about the new trans activism,” framed trans people as a threat to lesbians (though she is ostensibly straight), and directed followers to a website that sells badges with slogans like “F**k your pronouns” and “Notorious Transphobe.” Views like these, amplified by such a famous celebrity, impact legislation surrounding transgender people’s safety and right to transition in the UK today. Rowling’s public persona has been dedicated to attacking trans people. JK Rowling has been openly transphobic, using her platform to express views that minimize the struggles and journeys that trans people face, saying that she does not believe the discrimination trans people face is real and even tweeting, “I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans.” Over the past few years, much of J.K. But - and it’s a big but - in recent years the Harry Potter franchise has increasingly been used to perpetrate actual harm to real people.

The series also features excellent child acting and is one of the best large-scale book-to-screen adaptations ever. The movies are technically strong, with thoughtful direction and special effects that can still wow today. The stories are still wonderful and exciting to consume, even magical.

It has been 20 years since “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” was released, and on the anniversary of the beloved franchise, it is a difficult milestone to celebrate.

Harry potter books sorcerer's stone