The JK Rowling Quidditch row shows “society has gone mad” for making her a trans hate figure.
Quidditch is to change its name in a move that is set to “distance” the sport from Ms Rowling.
The broomstick-borne sport of Quidditch was influenced by Ms Rowling’s best-selling wizard novels and invented in the US in 2005, before taking off globally.
The sport will now be known as “Quadball”.
JK Rowling
Yui Mok
But GB News regular Paul Embery has hit out at the decision in a post on Twitter.
Mr Embery said: “A society in which JK Rowling is some kind of hate figure is one that has turned quite mad.”
Governing body QuidditchUK (QUK) described the move as a “great moment in the development of our sport, which is both symbolically and practically significant”.
QUK added: “The name change indicates a firm stance with our trans players and members, as well as giving us more firm legal footing and opening up greater opportunities for funding and external partners.”
Quidditch is a full-contact mixed-gender sport and it encourages those who identify with the trans and non-binary community to take part.
Late last year, US Quidditch (USQ) and Major League Quidditch (MLQ) announced they would carry out a series of surveys to find a new name for the sport, after Ms Rowling attracted criticism for her views on gender identity.
Quidditch is to change its name in a move that is set to “distance” the sport from Ms Rowling
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In the past, Ms Rowling has said she was partly motivated to speak out about transgender issues because of her experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Critics have accused the writer of being transphobic, an allegation which she strongly denies.
At the time, QUK said the name change was a necessary “shift towards our own identity” because of issues surrounding both the Warner Brothers film company trademark and Rowling’s remarks.
It stated: “More importantly, distancing ourselves from JK Rowling will cement the sport and community as the inclusive space it already is.
“Since our inception the inclusion of all persons, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, or background has been a cornerstone of our sport.
“We cannot continue to call ourselves quidditch and be associated with JK Rowling while she continues to make damaging and hateful comments against the many transgender athletes, staff, and volunteers who call this sporting community home.”
On Wednesday, QUK described itself as “happy” with the new name that had been picked by USQ.
Players will see changes such as a new name for the ball.