Summary:
- J.K. Rowling replies to a social media user, indicating that she’ll never forgive Emma Watson And Daniel Radcliffe for trans support.
- Other Harry Potter stars reacted to JK Rowling’s comments on the trans community.
J.K. Rowling is once again criticizing the transgender community, and this time she’s indirectly taking aim at ‘Harry Potter’ stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson in the process.
The author, who identifies as a TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist), replied to a social media user on Wednesday who suggested that Radcliffe and Watson might publicly apologize to her, knowing that she would forgive them for their past support of trans rights.
“Not safe, I’m afraid,” Rowling replied. “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.”
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 has repeatedly spoken out against transgender activists, arguing that they undermine feminism. She has even said she’d be willing to go to prison for her beliefs.
Radcliffe and Watson haven’t publicly commented on minors transitioning, but they have expressed support for the transgender community in general.
In 2020, Watson, famous for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, shared on social media:
“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.” She continued, “I want my trans followers to know that I and many others worldwide see you, respect you, and love you for who you 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.
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020
During that same week, Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter alongside Watson, shared a statement via the Trevor Project, saying:
“Transgender women are women. Any statement suggesting otherwise undermines the identity and dignity of transgender individuals and contradicts advice from professional healthcare associations, which have much more expertise in this area than either [Rowling] or myself.”
Representatives for Radcliffe and Watson did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Entertainment Weekly on Thursday.
Rowling’s contentious comments against the transgender community have prompted various responses from former Harry Potter cast members who have aimed to show support for transgender individuals. These include Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Eddie Redmayne, Katie Leung, and Chris Rankin.
Reactions from Other Harry Potter Stars Regarding JK Rowling’s Comments on the Trans Community
Rupert Grint
The actor who portrayed Ron stated in a 2020 statement:
“I firmly support the trans community and share the views expressed by many of my colleagues. Trans women are women. Trans men are men.”
Two years later, in an interview with the Times, he added, “I liken JK Rowling to an auntie. I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie. It’s a tricky one.”
Ralph Fiennes
The actor who portrayed Voldemort told The New York Times in 2022, “The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it’s appalling.”
“I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women. But it’s not some obscene, uber-right-wing fascist. It’s just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman and I feel I’m a woman and I want to be able to say that I’m a woman.’”
Harry Melling
Melling, known for his role as Dudley Dursley, expressed to the Independent in 2022:
“I can only speak for myself, and for me, it’s very straightforward: transgender women are women, and transgender men are men.”
Evanna Lynch
Lynch, who portrayed Luna Lovegood in the films, shared with the Telegraph:
“I always felt that her character was meant to advocate for the most vulnerable members of society. The issue arises when there’s a disagreement over who those vulnerable members are.”
