A Harry Potter star has taken to the defence of JK Rowling over her controversial views on transgender rights.
The author, 57, has divided opinion for many years over her divisive opinions on the LGBTQ+ community.
Rowling's thoughts on the topic first came to light in June 2020, after she slammed the term “people who menstruate” being used in replace of the word 'woman' in a tweet which sparked a furious debate on social media.
Many onlookers, including celebrities, criticised her tweet as being “anti-trans” and “transphobic” and noted that transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming people can also have periods.
The writer addressed the backlash against her in an essay, whilst also drawing on her own experiences of allegedly overcoming domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Her work incited further backlash against her, including many actors from the Harry Potter franchise, from the likes of Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who have since used their platform to support trans rights.
Now, the actor who played Luna Lovegood, Evanna Lynch, has taken to JK Rowling’s side after encouraging that others “listen” to the author’s polarising views, despite not wanting to “add to [trans peoples’] pain”.
She told The Telegraph , reflecting on her own journey with anorexia: “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.”
She continued to explain to the outlet: “I do also think it’s important that JK Rowling has been amplifying the voices of de-transitioners. I had this impulse to go, ‘Let’s all just stop talking about it’, and I think probably I’m a bit braver now about having uncomfortable conversations.”
The 31-year-old Irish actor also added that she was shocked that Rowling continued to garner such backlash, “especially when she wrote her essay”, in which she opened up about personal events during her life.
“I just felt that her character has always been to advocate for the most vulnerable members of society. The problem is that there’s a disagreement over who’s the most vulnerable. I do wish people would just give her more grace and listen to her,” she concluded.
If this story has affected you, you can call the Switchboard LGBTQ+ Helpline on 0300 3300630 between 10am-10pm every day for information, support and referral services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity.
