Authors leave literary agency over JK Rowling’s comments on transgender people

Three authors have left the literary agency they shared with JK Rowling, over the author’s comments regarding transgender people.

Drew Davies, Fox Fisher, and Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir (also known as Owl), made the announcement in a joint statement on Monday.

“We are writing this statement as a group of writers who are signed to The Blair Partnership, to announce our resignation from the agency,” they wrote.

“This decision is not made lightly, and we are saddened and disappointed it has come to this.

“After JK Rowling’s — who is also signed to the agency — public comments on transgender issues, we reached out to the agency with an invitation to reaffirm their stance to transgender rights and equality. After our talks with them, we felt that they were unable to commit to any action that we thought was appropriate and meaningful.

“Freedom of speech can only be upheld if the structural inequalities that hinder equal opportunities for underrepresented groups are challenged and changed.”

The Blair Partnership, which has represented Rowling since 2011, told The Guardian in a statement that it "support the rights of all of our clients to express their thoughts and beliefs" and considers it a duty to "support all of our clients in this fundamental freedom". The Independent has contacted the agency for further comment.

In their joint statement, all three authors extended their support to the transgender community, writing: “Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid.

“This is a particularly difficult time when it must sometimes feel like the world is closing in on you. We want you to know that you are not alone, that there are many people who will always stand by you and fight for you and that better times are coming.”

The Blair Partnership told The Guardian in part: “We are disappointed by the decision that four clients have taken to part ways with the agency. To reiterate, we believe in freedom of speech for all; these clients have decided to leave because we did not meet their demands to be re-educated to their point of view. We respect their right to pursue what they feel is the correct course of action.”

Rowling was widely criticised earlier this month after sharing a series of tweets that many viewed as transphobic. In one of the messages, Rowling criticised the phrase “people who menstruate” – a criticism that many felt was dismissive of transgender people who menstruate while not identifying as women, including transgender men as well as genderqueer and non-binary people.

She later shared a long open letter on her website, seeking to clarify her views.

Several stars of the Harry Potter franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe, Evanna Lynch, and Emma Watson, have voiced their opposition to Rowling’s comments.

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