J.K. Rowling, 58, is the author behind the incredibly successful ‘Harry Potter‘ series – it’s estimated to have sold over 600 million copies and has spawned films and video games. Daniel Radcliffe
The author has faced a backlash in recent years due to her views on s** and gender, yet has refused to backtrack on her words.
It all started on X (formerly known as Twitter) back in 2020.
Rowling sparked controversy on social media when she retweeted an op-ed that used the term “people who menstruate” instead of “women.” Taking issue with the phrasing, she tweeted:
“‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Despite widespread backlash, Rowling stood by her comments, later elaborating:
“If s** isn’t real, there’s no same-s** attraction. If s** isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased.
I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of s** removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
Many Harry Potter stars have since made it clear that they oppose Rowling’s views.
Emma Watson took to X around the time of the author’s menstruating comments and 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.”
She added: “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.”
Daniel Radcliffe shared a statement through LGBT suicide prevention charity The Trevor Project in which he said he’s ‘deeply sorry’ the ‘Harry Potter’ books have been ‘tarnished or diminished’ for readers.
It read: “I realise that certain press outlets will probably want to paint this as in-fighting between J.K. Rowling and myself, but that is really not what this is about, nor is it what’s important right now.
“While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honoured to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment.
“Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.”
Watson and Radcliffe have largely remained quiet about their differences with Rowling—until now.
Recently, Rowling addressed the Cass Review, an independent evaluation of gender identity services for children and young people, sparking further debate.
Mermaids, a charity supporting trans, non-binary, and gender-questioning youth, has voiced concerns about the report. According to The Guardian, the organization warned that “some of the language in the report is open to misinterpretation and could be used to justify additional barriers to accessing care for some trans young people.”
Rowling, however, praised the review, calling it “the most robust examination of the medical evidence for transitioning children ever conducted.” She argued that the findings reveal significant harm, stating:
“Kids have been irreversibly harmed. Thousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media, and cynical corporations.”
A fan of Rowling’s replied, penning: “Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology… safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them…”
However, the author has made it clear she will not be forgiving the pair – not that they’ve asked for it.
“Not safe, I’m afraid,” she 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.”
Radcliffe has now shared his rare but candid thoughts on the matter following Rowling’s latest comments.
The Jungle star said in an interview with The Atlantic that he’s not spoken to Rowling for years.
“Jo, obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person. But that doesn’t mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life,” he said.
“It makes me really sad, ultimately, because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.”
Radcliffe added: “I will continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ people, and have no further comment than that.”
Daniel Radcliffe
