Another controversial situation has engulfed J.K. Rowling. This time, she faces off with two of the biggest “Harry Potter” stars, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
“Harry Potter” creator J.K. Rowling has been more than vocal about her stance on transgender rights. In recent years, these perspectives have caused considerable friction between her and the performers who gave life to her legendary characters.
In June of 2020, Rowling posted a tweet that many saw as belittling the trans community. Rowling reacted to wording in a tweet which highlighted an article that had used the phrase “people who menstruate,” seemingly as a response to the term.
Her tweet read: “People who menstruate. There were words for these people, I am sure. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” But that ignited swift criticism and accusations of discrimination against transgender individuals.
Rowling maintained her opinion, saying that understanding women’s rights requires knowledge of biological s*x. However, she argued that doing away with the idea of s*x could have far-reaching effects on women around the world.
Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who played Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, respectively, took a different view than Rowling. Radcliffe put out a statement via The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ youth support organization.
“Transgender women are women,” Radcliffe stated. He expressed regret to supporters who believed that Rowling’s remarks had diminished their affection for the “Harry Potter” series.
Emma Watson has shown her backing for the trans community. She tweeted, “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned.”
The “Harry Potter” stars and Rowling started clashing again. Rowling revealed “The Ink Black Heart” in 2022, but the book was met with backlash over how the story called out a character accused of being racist and transphobic.
Observers in some quarters suggested that the book was an attack on the criticism Rowling had been getting on social media. Despite continued criticism, Rowling wouldn’t budge.
Other “Harry Potter” franchise cast members also weighed in. Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, backed the trans community, and said: ‘I firmly stand with the trans community’.
Grint took a more understanding stance to Rowling than many others, comparing her to a relative whom he disagrees with. J.K. Rowling is like an auntie to me. It’s a tricky one,” he said.
A few cast members were behind Rowling’s stance. Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes has come out in support of Rowling, branding the harassment directed at her ‘disgusting’ and ‘appalling’.
Bellatrix Lestrange actress Helena Bonham Carter has also come out in support of Rowling. “Especially if she’s suffered abuse, she’s allowed her opinion,” she criticized cancel culture.
However, some of her former cast members have come out in support, but it looks like Radcliffe and Watson’s ties with Rowling are severed for good. The author and her stars seem to have been broken up.
Rowling shared her thoughts on the Cass Review, an independent study into gender identity services for children, recently. The review showed children had been irreversibly harmed by transitioning procedures, she declared.
Rowling also called out different celebrities, like Radcliffe and Watson, for supporting harmful beliefs. Their endorsement of transgender rights could be dangerous, she contended.
Rowling was swift to respond to a suggestion from a supporter on social media that Radcliffe and Watson should apologise. Her feelings were unmistakable in her response.
She wrote, “I’m afraid it’s not safe.” Rowling explicitly said she did not accept Radcliffe’s and Watson’s apologies.
Rowling, in a stark declaration, said the actors who ‘cosied up’ to the trans rights movement could keep their apologies. She says they also contributed to the damage done to at-risk women and detransitioners.
Many fans are surprised by this revelation. The chances of Rowling and her ‘Harry Potter’ stars making up have appeared to have been drastically reduced.
It appears that the rift between Rowling, Radcliffe, and Watson is a widening one. Rowling remains unmoved in her convictions, and the prospects of reconciliation don’t seem good.
Rowling’s last word on the subject was clear and definitive. She hates Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for their stance on transgender rights.
