Real Quidditch League to change sport name to move away from JK Rowling transgender row

The QUIDDITCH leagues are set to rename the fictional sport in an attempt to “distance themselves” from JK Rowling.

US Quidditch (USQ) and Major League Quidditch (MLQ) have announced that they will choose a new name for their actual version of the broom-based sport in the wake of the controversy.

The non-magical players of the sport, made famous by Rowling’s Harry Potter series, play in teams of seven on a hockey field, while holding a « broom » between their legs.

The “Muggle” version of the game – which features flying and enchanted balls set in the Hogwarts universe – is played all over the world, including on Clapham Common in London.

But now two American leagues will drop the name « Quidditch ».

In a joint statement, a spokesperson for the USQ and MLQ said, “The leagues are hopeful that a name change can help them continue to distance themselves from the work of JK Rowling, the author of the series. Harry Potter books, which is increasingly scrutinizing its anti-trans positions in recent years.

“Our sport has earned a reputation as one of the most progressive sports in the world when it comes to gender equality and inclusiveness, in part thanks to its maximum gender rule, which states that a team cannot not have more than four players of the same sex on the field at a time.

“Both organizations believe it is imperative to live up to this reputation in all aspects of their operations and believe this decision is a step in that direction. « 

It comes after the outspoken British author sparked fury in the transgender community for the comments she made about women’s safety.

She was accused of transphobia last summer when responding to an article titled, « Opinion: Creating a More Equal Post-Covid-19 World for People Who Have Periods. » « 

She tweeted: “’People who are menstruating. I’m sure there was a word for these people. Someone is helping me. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? « 

His remarks sparked an angry backlash, including reviews from Potter cast Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Eddie Redmayne.

Rowling, 56, refused to back down after the argument erupted.

The author vowed not to be silenced by trans activists – telling them, “I have received so many death threats that I could line the house.