Arts & Entertainment
Harry Potter fans throw #JKRowlingIsOverParty, protest character’s sexuality
Twitter filled with disappointed readers

(Screenshot via YouTube)
J.K. Rowling is feeling the backlash on Twitter from Harry Potter fans who believed she had revealed the sexuality of a popular Harry Potter character.
One Harry Potter fan tweeted Rowling asking a series of questions, one of which included inquiring if fan favorite character Sirius Black was gay.
@jk_rowling 4) “Will Robin actually marry Matthew?”
5. “Is Sirius Black gay?”
6. “Are you sure he’s not gay?”
7. “Are you REALLY sure?”2/2
— Ardit Haliti (@ardit_haliti) September 6, 2016
Rowling changed her Twitter biography in what appeared to be answers to the questions and seemed to confirm that Black was a heterosexual character.

Some fans were disappointed to learn Black wasn’t an LGBT character and the trending hashtag #JKRowlingIsOverParty began. Although Rowling has said Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore was a gay character, some fans were still looking for more acknowledged representation in the series.
jk rowling says she supports lgbt which is great but would it kill her to make a character lgbt and actually acknowledge that in her books
— elisa⚡️ (@kingwallywest) August 31, 2016
remember that time when JK Rowling represented & supported our community and made LGBT+ youth everywhere feel empowered? me neither
— Rob (@robnoon7) September 1, 2016
Others didn’t see an issue with Rowling not confirming Black as a gay character and used the hashtag to address the upset fans.
So people are really trippin out over the sexuality of a fictional character? Someone that isn’t even real? ? #JKRowlingIsOverParty
— Darius Benson (@MrLegenDarius) September 6, 2016
#JKRowlingIsOverParty If you’re not liking the fact that Sirius is straight, wait until you find out he’s not even real…
— Polly Parrott (@PollyKParrott) September 6, 2016
So #JKRowlingIsOverParty bc a FICTIONAL character isn’t gay? pic.twitter.com/DvrEKGlwgY
— Gucci (@hesology) September 6, 2016
According to Rowling, she never revealed any information about Black’s sexuality and the answers in her Twitter biography were not responding to inquiries if Black is gay. Rowling also referred to some tweets about the situation as “a ton of abuse.”
@Danbo12 There was no news, none at all, just leaping to mistaken conclusions and a ton of abuse.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 6, 2016
@hoImesnwatson No, the last three ‘answers’ in my bio refer to the person who has dominated my notifications for the past 5 days.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 6, 2016
Rowling wrapped up the party by thanking fans for their support and love.
I’d just like to say, because it would be downright rude not to, THANK YOU for the huge number of wonderful messages I’ve been sent tonight.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 6, 2016
Twitter’s a strange place at times, but for every bit of hate I’ve received I’ve always had so much more love and support. Obrigada a todos!
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 6, 2016
Friday, March 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, March 28
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, March 30
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, March 31
Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, March 1
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, April 2
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.
Tickets can be secured via Resy.
Sports
New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics
New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.
“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.
The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”
“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”
The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”
The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
(Video courtesy of the IOC)
Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.
Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.
Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.
“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.
An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.
-
Photos5 days agoPHOTOS: Capital Stonewall Democrats 50th anniversary
-
Poland5 days agoPolish court rules country must recognize same-sex marriages from EU states
-
District of Columbia5 days agoCapital Stonewall Democrats 50th anniversary gala draws sold out crowd
-
District of Columbia4 days agoTrans Day of Visibility events planned
