Thousands shout insults at Harry Potter author J.K Rowling in UK protests over Supreme Court verdict on legal definition of women

London: ‘Harry Potter’ author J.K Rowling became the target of massive insults in the recent UK protests, as thousands of people were heard chanting expletives against her. The protesters were opposing the UK Supreme Court verdict on the legal definition of a woman that excludes trans women.

The ruling, which was passed on April 16, 2025, received bitter criticism from the UK public due to growing concerns over opposition to trans rights. Thousands of people, which included trans activists and their allies gathered in an emergency protest, and were heard chanting “F*** J.K. Rowling”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The protest happened on the heels of Warner Bros. announcing the adult cast to the ‘Harry Potter’ television series with John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall and Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape. The series will also see Rowling’s involvement, much to the chagrin of LGBTQ+ and trans-activists.

The ruling had caused outrage among the trans community in the country as it means trans women will be unable to access women-only spaces such as public toilets and hospital wards and it could also prevent them from playing on women’s sports teams.

The world-famous author, who has been greatly criticised as being anti-trans for some of her comments reportedly helped finance the legal challenge brought by Campaigners For Women Scotland, and her first reaction on X, formerly Twitter, to reports of the protest chants was:

<

Only a thousand? #disappointed pic.twitter.com/HYd1ZFXQkY

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 20, 2025 >

“Only a thousand? #disappointed,” followed by resurfacing a response to an older post that urged boycotting her books: “I get the same royalties whether you read them or burn them. Enjoy your marshmallows!” in reference to Easter Sunday.

<

I get the same royalties whether you read them or burn them. Enjoy your marshmallows! pic.twitter.com/OJrJIoY6uE

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 24, 2024 >

Rowling later celebrated the verdict by posting a photo of herself on X smoking a cigar with the caption: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

<

I love it when a plan comes together.#SupremeCourt #WomensRights pic.twitter.com/agOkWmhPgb

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025 >