JK Rowling has said she questioned her sexuality during her teenage years while weighing in on young people transitioning genders.
The Harry Potter author, 57, has previously been criticised for her staunch views on gender identity, which she first shared on social media back in 2019.
The stars of the Harry Potter film franchise – Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint – are among those who have spoken out against her views previously.
However, Rowling has doubled down on her beliefs, revealing that she questioned her own identity as a teen on her podcast, The Witch Trials of JK Rowling.
She shared: “As an adolescent… I questioned my sexuality, thinking, ‘Well, I can tell my friends are pretty. Does that mean I’m gay?’
“I grew up to be a straight woman, but I’ve never forgotten that feeling of anxiety around my body.
“I didn’t feel like I fitted in. Aged 11 or 12 I looked very androgynous with short hair and I was acutely anxious about my changing body and became aware it was attracting attention that I didn’t welcome, particularly from boys at school.”
During her conversation, the controversial star also shared her views that teens aren’t emotionally equipped to decide whether they are ready to transition.
She claimed: “I don’t believe that even a 14-year-old can truly understand what the loss of their fertility is.
“At 14 I would have said that I didn’t want children but (motherhood) has been the most joyful, wonderful thing in my life.
“I couldn’t have comprehended that and would have had no idea about what I was giving up… there will be a minority of people for whom this will be solution.”
The writer is mother to Jessica, 27, from a previous relationship. She also welcomed son David, 19, and 18-year-old daughter Mackenzie with husband Dr. Neil Murray.
Rowling said she finds “cause for doubt and concern” in “the numbers, particularly of young people that we are currently seeing coming forward”.
She then described trans activists as an “instance of authoritarianism” and as having “the attitude of the fundamentalist”.
Rowling has said she was partly motivated to speak out about transgender issues because of her experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
She has strongly denied accusations of transphobia.
