Rowling Wins PEN Award and Discusses Trump

May 17, 2016

Posted by: Justin Hart

Honors/Awards, J.K. Rowling, News

As Leaky reported previously, J.K. Rowling intended to attend the PEN gala and was shortlisted for an award. J.K. Rowling has been honored by receiving PEN’s Literary Service Award. PEN is a literary and humanitarian organization that focuses on various issues, including free speech. Rowling has long been an advocate for  free speech over censorship. She is no stranger to censorship as she has experienced much resistance from various groups opposing her Harry Potter Series. Rowling stated of these groups,

“My critics are at liberty to claim that I am trying to convert children to Satanism,” she said. “And I’m free to explain I’m exploring human nature and morality – or to say ‘You’re an idiot.'”

Rowling’s support and advocacy of free speech isn’t just in regards to literature. Rowling believes that Donald Trump shouldn’t be banned from the United Kingdom for his opinions. She pushed back against the recent movement to ban the presumptive Republican presidential nominee from the British Isles.

“I find almost everything that Mr. Trump says objectionable. I consider him offensive and bigoted,” said the British author, who received PEN’s Literary Service Award for her “extraordinary creativity” and for her efforts on behalf of institutionalized children and other humanitarian causes.

“But he has my full support to come to my country and be offensive and bigoted there.”

Rowling received her award from long time fan Sarah Jessica Parker. To get all the details about the PEN Gala click here.

UPDATE: Videos of J.K. Rowling’s speech can now be seen below.

The most talked about snippet of J.K. Rowling’s speech is when she references Donald Trump, which can be viewed in the following clip:

The entire two-hour gala can be viewed below:





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.