Renowned author JK Rowling has once again stirred controversy, this time, directing her criticism towards former Harry Potter stars, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
In a recent series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Rowling, who has faced backlash for her previous anti-transgender remarks, shared an independent review about medical transitioning in children. One of the X users responded to Rowling's tweets saying, "Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology ... safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them..." The author replied to the user stating, "Not safe, I'm afraid." She further criticised celebrities who supported movements challenging women's rights and endorsed the transitioning of minors.
"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," Rowling wrote.
In June 2020, JK Rowling ignited public discourse as she wrote an essay criticising transgender rights. "I refuse to bow down to a movement that I believe is doing demonstrable harm in seeking to erode 'woman' as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it," a section of her essay read.
Daniel Radcliffe, popular for his portrayal of Harry Potter in 'Harry Potter' movies, took a firm stance in support of transgender rights. In an essay for the Trevor Project, he affirmed, "Transgender women are women."
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in 'Harry Potter' films, voiced solidarity with transgender individuals, without taking Rowling's name. On X, she asserted, "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," she added in another post.
JK Rowling first sparked controversy in 2017 when she liked a post on social media that condemned trans rights. In 2019, she also garnered criticism when she posted in support of Maya Forstater, who lost her job for stating that people cannot change their biological sex.
