J.K. Rowling Torched for Tone-Deaf Tribute to Dolly Parton: "A New Low"

This story originally appeared on Out.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 it’s nice you’re 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." “A woman who used her wealth to raise up and give back to the marginalised," wrote another. "There’s a lesson there.” 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 t