Author JK Rowling has reignited a row with Harry Potter stars Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe over the issue of transgender identity and rights. The writer hit out at ‘celebs’ who she said had ‘used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors’. Radcliffe and Watson are among the film’s cast members who spoke out against Rowling’s stance on gender identity in 2020. The BBC has asked Radcliffe and Watson for responses to her latest comments.
Rowling has also welcomed a review that raised concerns about gender identity services for under-18s. On Wednesday, the Cass Review said children had been let down by ‘remarkably weak’ evidence on medical intervention in gender care. Rowling described the report as ‘a watershed moment’.
One social media user replied to her: ‘Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology… safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them…’ The Harry Potter author responded: ‘Not safe, I’m afraid.’ Rowling has been accused of being transphobic for her views on gender identity and for saying trans women shouldn’t be allowed into female-only spaces. She also recently challenged police in Scotland, where she lives, to arrest her under a new hate crime law after she described several trans women as men. Police Scotland decided not to take any action.
The writer has attracted both criticism and support for her position, and has dismissed backlash over her opinions. She has denied being transphobic, previously saying she respects ‘every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them’ and that she wants trans people to be free from discrimination and abuse.
Radcliffe, who played the young wizard in the Harry Potter films, responded to Rowling’s original posts in 2020 by saying: ‘It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities.’ He added that he hoped the author’s comments would not ‘taint’ the movie series for fans. Watson said: ‘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.’
Eddie Redmayne, star of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, based on Rowling’s book, also said in 2020: ‘I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid.’ The ongoing debate surrounding JK Rowling’s views on transgender rights continues to divide public opinion and spark conversations about gender identity and inclusivity.
