Disagreements on the gender issue between J. K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter book series, and the actors playing the main roles in the franchise have been simmering since 2020. Now the scandalous confrontation has flared up with renewed vigor after the words of actress Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), who tried to reduce the degree of tension, on Jay Shetty’s podcast.
Watson admitted that despite the differences of opinion, she still appreciates her experience of working with the creator of “Potteriana.”
“I will never believe that one denies the other. I can keep and cherish my experience with this person, even if we look at things differently. My deepest wish is that those who disagree with me still love me, and that I can love them,” said the actress.
She added that she is open to dialogue with Rowling and believes in the possibility of reaching mutual understanding.
However, Rowling reacted harshly to the attempt at public reconciliation.
First, the writer posted a parody video that ridiculed the actress’ interview, and then posted a detailed message on the social network X.
“Emma and Dan [Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter] have made it clear over the past few years that they believe our former professional association gives them a special right—no, an obligation — to criticize me and my views publicly. Years after the end of filming in Potter, they continue to take on the role of actual representatives of the world I created,” Rowling protested, noting that she also decided to exercise her right to speak publicly.
According to the writer, Watson simply does not have enough life experience to appreciate all these gender equalities that she stands for.
“Like other people who have not experienced adulthood without wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life that she does not realize her ignorance,” Rowling believes.
The author of the novels is sure that Watson will never have to lie “in the general ward of a state hospital”; her “public toilet” is designed for one person, and there is a guard at the door.
“Did she have to undress in the new mixed locker room at the municipal swimming pool? Being in the same cell with a male rapist who was identified as a woman in a women’s prison?” Rowling wonders.
The writer noted that she lived in poverty as a child, which is why she understands “from her own life experience what it means for women and girls deprived of their privileges, the violation of women’s rights, in which Emma participated so ardently.”
Rowling directly points out that she was forced to speak out by Watson, who in a recent interview stated that she “loves and appreciates” the author of “Potter.”
“I suspect she changed tactics, noticing that openly condemning me is no longer so fashionable. If it weren’t for that, I probably would never have been so honest,” Rowling stressed.
In recent years, Rowling has been widely criticized and even bullied because of her views on transgender people and transgenderism. It all started with her comment back in 2020 about the complicated phrase “people who menstruate.” Joan stated: previously, the word “woman” was used for this.
Radcliffe, the performer of the role of Harry Potter, has repeatedly criticized her views.
The actor admits that Harry Potter would not have happened without Rowling, and everything that happened in Radcliffe’s life would not have happened without her.
“But that doesn’t mean that you have to give up the principles you really believe in in favor of someone else,” the actor concluded.
However, Rowling, ignoring the criticism, continues to speak out against the mainstream. Among the most high—profile comments is a post about the prematurely ended boxing match of the 1/8 finals of the Olympics between Italian Angela Carini and Algerian Iman Khelif, who failed the gender test.
In addition, the writer took an active part in the activities of the organization for the Protection of Scottish Women (FWS), which filed an appeal against the law passed by the Scottish government in 2018. According to the document, a 50% share of women in the leadership of public authorities in Scotland should be ensured. According to the definition given by the legislation, transgender persons who identify themselves as women must also be considered women in order to achieve the required proportion.
As a result, FWS, whose legal campaign Rowling supported with tens of thousands of pounds, won. In April of this year, the Supreme Court of Great Britain ruled that the Equality Act defines the biological sex of women based on gender at birth. According to an 88-page decision by the UK Supreme Court of Appeal, transgender people cannot be considered biologically women in equality cases.
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