In a striking public exchange, J.K. Rowling, the renowned author of the "Harry Potter" series, has sharply criticized actress Emma Watson over comments made about their differing views on transgender rights, NewsNationNow reported.
This ongoing dispute centers on Rowling's controversial stance on gender identity, reignited by Watson's recent podcast discussion and Rowling's subsequent response on social media.
The tension between the two began years ago, notably in June 2020, when Rowling posted a tweet mocking the phrase "people who menstruate" in an article.
Rowling's tweet suggested that the term for such individuals is simply "women," drawing immediate backlash from fans and public figures alike.
She later clarified her position, stating that while she knows and loves trans people, she believes erasing the concept of biological sex undermines women's lived experiences.
Rowling insisted her views were rooted in truth, not hate, despite the disappointment expressed by many "Harry Potter" fans.
In response to Rowling's comments, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the film series, publicly supported the transgender community.
Radcliffe, through a statement with the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ suicide-prevention nonprofit, affirmed, "Transgender women are women."
He further noted that any contrary opinion disregards the identity of transgender individuals and contradicts expert health care advice.
Recently, Watson discussed her complicated relationship with Rowling on "The Jay Shetty" podcast, acknowledging their disagreement over transgender rights.
Despite this, Watson emphasized her continued appreciation for her personal experiences with Rowling, saying, "No one is disposable."
She added that she cherishes their past connection and believes it can coexist with her current views.
Rowling quickly responded to Watson's podcast remarks on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, defending her own stance.
She acknowledged that Watson and her co-stars have the right to their beliefs on gender identity, stating, "Such beliefs are legally protected, and I wouldn’t want to see any of them threatened with loss of work, or violence, or death, because of them."
However, Rowling also took a critical tone, suggesting Watson lacks a real-world perspective due to her privileged background.
