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
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
Friday, June 12
Bet Mishpachah will host “Pride Shabbat Happy Hour” at 6 p.m. at Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. This is an in-person happy hour with an open wine and beer bar, great company, and joyful conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will meet at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
Saturday, June 13
Out N Bad will host “SWEET WHINE: DC Pride Queer Caribbean Slow Whine Function” at 9 p.m. at Decades DC. This is a late-night escape into slow and steamy Dancehall & Kompa only. No splits. No headtops. No pressure. Tickets are $22.14 and are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host a screening of “10s Across the Borders,” a bold pan-Asian queer film that confronts homophobia, transphobia, and racism while celebrating Southeast Asia’s underground ballroom scene. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sunday, June 14
Beth A Wolfe Yoga will host “Pride Baby Goat Yoga” at 1 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Va. The goats will be decked out in their finest Pride apparel, and human participants are welcome to do the same. Proceeds from this event will go to the Trevor Project. Tickets cost $44.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, June 15
“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]).
Tuesday, June 16
“Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” will be at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a full-time Martial Arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, June 17
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, June 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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.
