When it comes to controversial statements about trans people, J.K. Rowling famously hasn’t held back. According to her, “people around me, including some I love, were begging me not to speak,” but the Harry Potter author simply couldn’t keep her thoughts to herself. In fact, she’s now contributed an essay to the upcoming book The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht, which features contributions from a number of women opposed to the Scottish government’s plans for gender identity reform. In an extract published in The Times, Rowling admitted that “my guilt that I wasn’t standing with them was with me daily, like a chronic pain.”
As readers may remember, Rowling has been reported to the police over accusations of transphobic abuse towards broadcaster India Willoughby, and also dared police to arrest her for opposing new hate crime legislation in Scotland. Meanwhile, stars from the Harry Potter films have spoken up against Rowling’s views. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have all expressed their support for transgender women and men.
It’s worth remembering, however, that Rowling does have some high-profile supporters. Actors including Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, and Evanna Lynch have all backed her up in the media. At the end of the day, though, it’s Rowling’s opinions about trans people – not her cheerleaders – that have put her in the headlines in recent years
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