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J.K. Rowling is giving back her Human Rights Award.

J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling

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Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling is returning her Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award after receiving the Ripple of Hope Award December 2019. The RFK Human Rights Award is an award that honors creative or intellectual achievements “for their lifelong commitment to human rights and their exceptional work toward a more just and peaceful world.” 

RFK’s daughter and the president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights non-profit, called attention to and criticized Rowling’s transphobic rhetoric comments. Kerry Kenned, daughter of John F. Kennedy, stated that J.K. Rowling  “diminished the identity” of trans people. Rowling later stated that Kennedy denounced her views on the comment she actually made. Rowling added that her tweet, “incorrectly implied that I was transphobic, and that I am responsible for harm to trans people.

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JK Rowlings Tweets

Ultimately, J.K. Rowling decided that “In solidarity with those who have contacted me but who are struggling to make their voices heard, and because of the very serious conflict of views between myself and RFKHR, I feel I have no option but to return the Ripple of Hope Award.” 

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Organization is not the only ones to distance themselves from Rowling and her views. Several people involved in the Harry Potter films including stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint have all spoke on supporting the trans community following Rowling’s statements.

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