J.K. Rowling casts a spell of discontent on 'Harry Potter' stars over pro-trans support

Author J.K. Rowling has reiterated her views on sex and gender following a UK Supreme Court ruling that clarified the legal definition of the word “woman” as referring to biological sex.

The decision, which drew strong reactions from both sides of the debate, has reignited public discussion around gender identity, rights, and representation.

In the days following the ruling, over 2 000 individuals in the arts and creative industries signed an open letter in support of transgender, non-binary, and intersex communities.

Among the signatories were "Harry Potter" actors Eddie Redmayne, Katie Leung, and Paapa Essiedu, as well as other British performers including Bella Ramsey, Nicola Coughlan, and Joe Alwyn.

The letter expressed concern that the ruling "undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary and intersex people living in the UK."

In response, Rowling took to X, where she expressed her support for the court’s decision. She described the ruling as a recognition of “sex-based rights” and commented on the open letter and its signatories.

She wrote: “In light of recent open letters from academia and the arts criticising the UK's Supreme Court ruling on sex-based rights, it's possibly worth remembering that nobody sane believes, or has ever believed, that humans can change sex, or that binary sex isn't a material fact.”

In a longer thread, Rowling questioned the motivations behind signing such letters, suggesting some individuals may feel pressured by professional or social consequences.

She added, “Some argue that signatories of these sorts of letters are motivated by fear: fear for their careers, the online shamers and doxxers, and influential zealots in the upper echelons of liberal professions.”

She also expressed concern about what she described as the “continued sterilisation of vulnerable and troubled kids,” and suggested that gender activism has contributed to a loss of public trust in key institutions.

The UK Supreme Court’s ruling followed a case involving the campaign group For Women Scotland, which challenged legislation by the Scottish Government that included transgender women under the legal category of “woman” to increase female representation on public boards.

The Court determined that the meaning of “woman” in that context must align with biological sex as understood in existing equality law.

Redmayne, who played Newt Scamander in the "Fantastic Beasts" films, has previously commented on the broader debate, saying in a 2020 interview that he disagreed with Rowling’s public remarks but had “enormous respect” for her work.

Rowling has repeatedly stated that she supports the rights of transgender individuals to live “free from persecution,” and has acknowledged the vulnerability of the trans community.

In a 2020 statement, she wrote: “I know trans people, I love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives.”

She added that her interest in the issue stemmed partly from her own experiences as a survivor of abuse and her concerns about safeguarding policies in women-only spaces.

At the same time, Rowling has been vocal in her belief that biological sex matters in law, particularly regarding female-only spaces such as shelters, prisons, and sports.

She has argued that redefining “woman” to include anyone who identifies as such could compromise protections meant for biological females. This stance is part of what is often referred to as a “gender-critical” position.

Her comments have sparked backlash, particularly from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups who argue that such positions fuel stigma and misunderstandings about trans identities. Some have criticised her remarks, suggesting they contribute to a hostile environment for trans people in Britain.

Some actors from the Harry Potter franchise, such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, have distanced themselves from her views, expressing support for trans communities.