Every Harry Potter star who has spoken out about JK Rowling's controversial comments
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has become well known for her very clear views on transgender rights.
And it's a debate that has seen many of the stars of the film adaptations also give their opinions.
Just today (11 April), Rowling took to social media to say leading stars of the Harry Potter franchise, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, can 'save their apologies'.
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It was in response to an X user asking her if they ever - for some reason - decided they no longer wanted to back their pro-trans views and side with Rowling on the debate.
Rowling has been accused of transphobia in recent years given her views on trans women, with her dubbed a TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist).
Here are just some of the biggest names from the Harry Potter franchise who have had their say on the debate:
Evanna Lynch
The Luna Lovegood actor has spoken out on the issue a number of times.
In 2020, she tweeted: "Feeling like you don't fit in or aren't accepted for who you are the worst, most lonely feelings a human can experience, and I won't be helping to marginalise trans women and men further. I applaud the immense bravery they show in embracing themselves and think we all should listen to their stories."
She also said she thought it was 'irresponsible' for Rowling to use X (then Twitter) to discuss 'such a delicate topic'.
"I disagree with her opinion that cis-women are the most vulnerable minority in this situation and I think she's on the wrong side of this debate," she wrote. "But that doesn't mean she has completely lost her humanity."
Addressing her comments in an interview last year, Lynch said: "I didn’t even know there were two sides. I had a view of, like, good and bad. I do have compassion for both sides of the argument.
"I know what it was like to be a teenager who hated my body so much I wanted to crawl out of my skin, so I have great compassion for trans people and I don’t want to add to their pain."
Daniel Radcliffe
Harry Potter himself is very supportive of trans rights.
Back in 2020 he wrote a blog post for LGBTQ+ advocacy group the Trevor Project, condemning Rowling’s views.
"Transgender women are women," Radcliffe penned.
"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."
Radcliffe also said: "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."
Emma Watson
The Hermione Granger actor has come out against Rowling about the transgender community.
In a tweet in 2020, Watson said she 'respects and loves' her trans followers.
She added: "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."
Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint, the man who brought Ron Weasley to life, said he 'firmly' stands with the trans community.
"Trans women are women. Trans men are men," he said in a statement in 2020.
"We should all be en titled to live with love and without judgement."
Speaking about Rowling in an interview with the Times two years later, he said: "I liken JK Rowling to an auntie. I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie. It’s a tricky one."
Ralph Fiennes
Voldemort himself, British actor Ralph Fiennes, has spoken out on the issue when it comes to so-called 'cancel culture' that Rowling has faced.
He told The New York Times in 2022: "The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting, it’s appalling.
"I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women. But it’s not some obscene, uber-right-wing fascist.
"It’s just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman and I feel I’m a woman and I want to be able to say that I’m a woman'."
Helena Bonham Carter
Known for playing villainous Bellatrix Lestrange, Bonham Carter described the backlash against Rowling as 'horrendous' and a 'load of b******s' in an interview with The Times in 2022.
She followed this up by saying she believes Rowling was 'hounded' on the issue.
Harry Melling
The actor who played Harry Potter's cousin Dudley Dursley has come out in support of trans rights.
When asked about Rowling, he told the Independent in 2022: "I can only speak for myself, and what I feel, to me, is very simple, which is that transgender women are women and transgender men are men.
"Every single person has the right to choose who they are and to identify themselves as what’s true to themselves. I don’t want to join the debate of pointing fingers and saying, ‘That’s right, that’s wrong,’ because I don’t think I’m the correct spokesperson for that. But I do believe that everybody has the right to choose."
Bonnie Wright
Best known for her role as Ginny Weasley in the film franchise, Bonne Wright has previously spoken out.
In 2022, she wrote on X: "If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without judgment or question. Transwomen are Women. I see and love you, Bonnie x."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]
Topics: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Film, Harry Potter, JK Rowling, LGBTQ, Rupert Grint, TV and Film
Tom Earnshaw