When J.K. Rowling joined the world in mourning the legendary Dolly Parton and celebrating her legacy, her post on X generated an online backlash that drew a stark contrast between the Harry Potter author's controversial "gender critical" views and the beloved singer's support for queer people.
Rowling's post on Tuesday heralded the Queen of Country Music's philanthropy in support of child literacy, which as Out reported, has placed more than 300 million books in the hands of children through her Imagination Library.
"Dolly Parton's Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity," Rowling wrote on X, and she revealed meeting Parton 30 years or so ago. "Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck. RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off."
"You are nothing and she was everything," said British drag queen Nova, of the comedy duo Novympia. "Dolly Parton had no time for J.K. Rowling's bigotry," wrote another user. "She was someone who supported trans & LGBTQ rights, who used their wealth to uplift rather than harm others, and who cared deeply about the wellbeing of children. She was everything Rowling has chosen not to be."
Many commenters added positive comments, but there was also a steady stream of critics, with one writing: "While itās nice youāre paying tribute to such an incredible human being, you should study up on her philanthropic efforts and take a lesson or 2 (or 5 million) on how she lived and treated others, especially those from the margins of society."
āA woman who used her wealth to raise up and give back to the marginalised," wrote another. "Thereās a lesson there.ā And an obstetrician named Dr. Nifkin delivered a fact check: "She supported trans people you ghoul."
Another quoted Rowling in writing: "'A complete, irreplaceable one-off.' Parton spent sixty years telling every single person thatās what they were too, no exceptions. Iām sorry your paths only crossed the once. She could have taught you so much."
Others went for the jugular in attacking Rowling: "Donāt talk about Dolly you disgusting fucking bigot," wrote one. "She championed trans rights you fucking asshole. Keep her name out of your dirty mouth," said Tommy Harrington, who has more than 54K followers, to the wizard author's 13.7M fans.
"She was altogether a much better person than you ever could be," said one poster, with another remarking: "J.K. Rowling using Dolly Partonās death to be the antithesis of what Dolly stood for is absolutely disgusting."
Many of those responding to Parton cited her interviews and comments on support for the LGBTQ+ community, including in her own family circle: "I've got transgender people. I've got gays. I've got lesbians. I've got drunks. I've got drug addicts ā all within my own family. I know and love them all, I do not judge."
Rowling did not sit back quietly, however. She attacked British trans activist Dame Kitty Denise by deadnaming them and writing, "I've seen your birth certificate, Keith." And she responded to another user who called Rowling "a fucking monster:" āWell, jokeās on you, because neither of us want Jolene to take our man.ā That user has since been given a one-week ban from X.
And then there was this take from a user who goes by the handle Dani: "The way J.K. Rowling can make Dolly Parton dying about her transphobic views is new low I wasn't aware someone could get to."
