JK Rowling Stands Firm Against Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson Over Trans Rights
3 min readTaylor Hill/FilmMagic
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 social media, JK Rowling, who has faced backlash for her previous anti-transgender remarks, shared an independent review about medical transitioning in children. One of the 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 criticized celebrities who supported movements challenging women’s rights and endorsed the transitioning of minors.
Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology … safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them …
— Adam Harris #FarRightHooligan (@StAustellAdam) April 10, 2024
“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 traumatized detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces,” Rowling wrote.
In June 2020, JK Rowling ignited public discourse as she wrote an essay criticizing 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.
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
Daniel Radcliffe, popular for his portrayal of Harry Potter in the film series, 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, voiced solidarity with transgender individuals, without directly addressing Rowling. She asserted 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.”
“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.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether Rowling’s steadfast stance will further fracture her relationship with her former stars or if there’s room for reconciliation in the magical world they once shared.
JK Rowling's work gave these actors a career and they abandoned her when it mattered. The Harry Potter cast members should absolutely change their tune and start standing up for the people harmed by Gender Ideology. pic.twitter.com/zQhbTPz622
— The Rabbit Hole (@TheRabbitHole84) April 11, 2024
Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson after hearing that transphobic bruja JK Rowling won't forgive them: pic.twitter.com/GGPudcGRAU
— Darth_Corvus (@Darth_Corvus_) April 12, 2024
JK Rowling can save her apologies. The LGBTQIA+ community doesn’t want them.
— Sam (he/him) (@mushycrouton) April 11, 2024
I don’t know what’s funnier, that JK Rowling is still mad at Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, or that she is refusing to accept an apology from them that they are definitely not going to give pic.twitter.com/Ske8u2kRAy
— evan loves worf (@esjesjesj) April 11, 2024