She accuses celebrities of aligning themselves with movements that undermine women’s rights (File)
Washington:
In a new round of controversy surrounding transgender rights, renowned author JK Rowling is once again at the center of a heated debate.
This time, her targets were none other than Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rowling’s latest comments come in response to a recent report commissioned by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) that criticized the standard of care for gender-diverse teenagers.
Reports obtained by The Hollywood Reporter highlight serious concerns about the lack of evidence supporting current gender-focused treatments, including puberty blockers. Pediatrician Dr Hilary Kass, who led the review, stressed the need for more research into the long-term effects of such interventions.
JK Rowling wasted no time expressing her views on the matter on social media.
When one follower suggested that Radcliffe and Watson might seek clemency for speaking out in support of transgender rights, Rowling responded by saying in no uncertain terms: “I’m afraid it’s not safe.”
She accused celebrities of aligning themselves with movements that undermine women’s rights and called on them to apologize to those affected by gender transition.
Rowling’s stance reflects her longstanding opposition to certain aspects of the transgender rights movement, which has won equal parts praise and criticism.
Her comments reignited a rift that emerged in 2020 when Radcliffe and Watson publicly expressed support for transgender people.
Radcliffe asserted that “trans women are women,” while Watson asserted that “trans people are who they say they are.” Their comments conflicted with Rowling’s views, sparking the Harry Potter fan community Internal and external debates.
Controversy surrounding Rowling’s stance on transgender issues has also affected her relationship with Warner Bros., the studio behind the Harry Potter film series. Despite plans to remake the saga into a TV series, Rowling’s outspoken views have cast a shadow over an otherwise lucrative partnership.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether Rowling’s firm stance will further damage her relationship with her former star, or whether there will be room for reconciliation in the wizarding world they once shared.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
