A Queer's Defense of J. K. Rowling

Matthew R. Callies

I can love her books and still defend.

The fragile kids who flinch at every harm;

I will not trade one truth for trend.

 

The world is not a tale we neatly bend,

Nor are our bodies spells to break or charm;

I can love her books and still defend.

 

I know how words like Patronuses send

A silver light against a rising harm;

I will not trade one truth for trend.

 

I have been named a phase, a means to end;

I’ve worn the sneer, the slur, the small alarm;

I can love her books and still defend.

 

Yet nuance is a bridge we rarely mend;

We shout, we sort to camp and cause and arm;

I will not trade one truth for trend.

 

Let others choose the purity they tend;

I choose the messy work of open arm;

I can love her books and still defend,

I will not trade one truth for trend.

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Comments +

Comments3

  • sorenbarrett

    A powerful statement in poetic form. It stands on its principles and will not bend of be bought off. Well said

  • Doggerel Dave

    Balanced form, well wrought poetry which I admire.
    When it comes to content, I’m at a very slight loss here (The markers you raise via your title don’t affect me, so my knowledge is very superficial).
    JKR became involved in a debate relating to transgenderism in which she takes an oppositional stance. (excuse the terminology if it offends). In what way does a queer need to defend her position, and what do you see as the trend?

    • Matthew R. Callies

      I'm not defending her opinion, I'm defending her right to have her own opinion even if I don't agree with it. The trend is people thinking everything is black and white and anything they don't agree with must be silenced (cancel culture). I don't believe in cancel culture. I can enjoy someone's art even if I don't particularly like the artist.

      • Doggerel Dave

        Thanks for that clarification. I think I mostly agree, though I can list, if I put my mind to it, one or two exceptions.

      • Tristan Robert Lange

        Matthew, this stands in the discomfort without collapsing into slogans. The Patronus light, the broken bridge of nuance, the steady refrain…all of it builds a case for complexity over camps. It’s firm, reflective, and unafraid of the gray. I very much appreciate and respect this piece, my friend. As someone who identifies non-binary, I still love Rowling's work even though I very much disagree with her position on transgender and/or LGBTQ+ issues. There are no perfect artists and I am not a fan of cancel culture. I agree that we can, for the most part, separate the art from the artist, barring extreme cases. Wonderful job on this. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛



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