Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling bashes Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson over their support for trans rights. Rowling is the British author behind the best-selling book series that was adapted into the equally successful film franchise starring Radcliffe and Watson as Harry and Hermione. In contrast to Rowling, who has courted controversy for her comments about transgender people and criticism of the trans rights movement, Radcliffe and Watson have both expressed support for trans rights.
Now, on Twitter/X, J.K. Rowling continued to make controversial comments about the transgender rights movement, this time bashing Radcliffe and Watson over their support for trans rights, and suggesting that she will never forgive them. See the full exchange on Twitter/X below:
Over the last four years, Hilary Cass has conducted the most robust review of the medical evidence for transitioning children that's ever been conducted. Mere hours after it was released to the press and public, committed ideologues are doubling down. 1/6 https://t.co/J4fA4JYgkC — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 10, 2024
Not safe, I'm afraid. Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 10, 2024
Rowling made multiple remarks in response to a new report criticizing current gender care treatments for young people. One of her followers replied, saying they were waiting for Radcliffe and Watson to give her "a very public apology … safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them." Rowling replied, "Not safe, I’m afraid. Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces."
What JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe & Emma Watson Have Said About Trans Rights
Rowling has faced significant criticism in recent years for her outspoken and unwavering social media advocacy against specific elements of the transgender rights movement. Rowling first faced criticism in 2020 for a contentious tweet in which she ridiculed an article for using the term "people who menstruate," suggesting that women's rights would be threatened if the concept of biological sex were questioned. In the ensuing years, Rowling continued to criticize the trans rights movement and defend her position, which has been referred to as TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminism).
Many members of the Harry Potter cast, including Radcliffe and Watson, have spoken out against Rowling's views on trans rights. In 2020, Radcliffe replied to Rowling's tweets regarding the matter, writing "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I." Radcliffe is a staunch supporter of The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that focuses on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ+ youth. He continued:
According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity. It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.
At the same time, aligning with Radcliffe, Watson spoke out against Rowling, tweeting, "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are. I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are." Rowling's recent remarks are the latest in this continuing saga of controversy, revealing a deep divide within the Harry Potter community on this important issue.
Source: J.K. Rowling/Twitter/X
