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‘Can't we have a bit of peace?’ LGBTQ Twitter aghast as JK Rowling trends after repeal of trans military ban

As soon as news broke about a live-action Harry Potter TV series in early development at HBO Max, #JKRowling started trending, eclipsing the previous #transgender Twitter trend celebrating the repeal of Trump's transgender military ban

It was a moment of euphoria followed by an equally demoralizing moment on social media for the LGBTQ+ community and allies on Monday, January 25. After Biden officially signed the executive order repealing the ban, #transgender trended on Twitter. Several Twitter users commented on how "elections matter" given the speed at which Biden is repealing the measures put into place by Trump that were seen as impinging on hard-won LGBTQ+ rights, like serving in the military.

Charlotte Clymer, trans activist and military veteran, posted the text of the repeal order, while commenting: "Here it is. The White House just announced an executive action repealing Trump's ban on trans service members, writing 'President Biden believes that gender identity should not be a bar to military service, and that America’s strength is found in its diversity' Elections matter". Another Twitter user, a psychiatrist working with the LGBTQ+ community posted an open letter to all trans individuals who had dreams of serving the country by joining the military: "Dear #trans people: You are loved. Your identity is real & valid. You deserve to openly serve our country. Thank you for your service! #Transgender #lgbtq+"

However, this collective moment of recognition and vindication was ruined because of a report about HBO Max's executives engaging in "multiple conversations with potential writers exploring various ideas" to bring a Harry Potter live-action TV series to the streaming service.

As soon as the news broke, #JKRowling started trending instead eclipsing the previous #transgender Twitter trend. One tweet commented on the situation, saying: "Me: sees #transgender trending and being happy because Biden repealed the trans military ban and then seeing JK Rowling trending as well. Can't we have a bit of peace?". Another Twitter user echoed the sentiment, saying: "jk rowling is trending again. will we ever know peace"

Others while excited about the prospect of a live-action Harry Potter TV series were crushed about JK Rowling profiting despite her transphobic views about how transgender individuals should be defined by their biological sex and excluded from "women-only spaces" in particular. One irate user tweeted: "Me realizing JK Rowling still gonna get Cash for the Harry Potter series," while another said: "I don't know how I feel about it. I wanna be excited but jk rowling," posting the text of the report that stated that JK Rowling "controls the franchise and has a say in everything involving the property". Another tweet suggested a 'solution', tweeting: "guess we're all streaming illegally to give jk rowling a big f**k you".

However, it has to be noted that both HBO Max and Warner Bros. have clarified that, "there are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform" since officially, according to the report, "no writers or talent are currently attached as the conversations are still in the extremely early stages and no deals have been made". 

JK Rowling's net worth has been estimated to range from $650 million to $1.2 billion. The Harry Potter movies have collectively grossed more than $7.7 billion. If Rowling received the standard 10% of net profit participation deal, then she likely earned $770 million. The five-part Harry Potter spinoff movie series 'Fantastic Beasts' earned Rowling approximately $10 million, according to Forbes. However, neither the original books nor the movies now account for most of her earnings. Her biggest cash cow is the Universal Studios' 'Wizarding World' attractions, which began operating in 2010.