Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane has spoken out in support of JK Rowling after she was accused of making anti-trans comments, stating he didn’t find them offensive.
Over the summer, author Rowling sparked outrage when she posted a series of tweets that were deemed transphobic.
In response to an article, she implied that only biological women menstruate, in turn offending the transgender community.
Addressing the controversy, Robbie – who played Rubeus Hagrid in the blockbuster wizarding franchise – told the Radio Times: ‘I don’t think what she said was offensive really.
‘I don’t know why but there’s a whole Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended. They wouldn’t have won the war, would they?
‘That’s me talking like a grumpy old man, but you just think, “Oh, get over yourself. Wise up, stand up straight and carry on”.’
Aware that his comments might upset the masses, the 70-year-old then said: ‘I don’t want to get involved in all of that because of all the hate mail and all that s***, which I don’t need at my time of life”.’
In June, Rowling reposted the headline of the divisive article which read: ‘Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.’
She then weighed in herself: ‘‘People who menstruate”. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’
As the backlash mounted, Rowling later tweeted: ‘If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased.
‘I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.
‘The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women – ie, to male violence – “hate” trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences – is a nonsense.’
She continued: ‘I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans.
‘At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.’
While Coltrane supports Rowling’s views, fellow Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson spoke out as allies of the trans community.
This week, Rowling has found herself at the centre of fresh controversy within the trans community due to her new book, Troubled Blood, which features a cross-dressing serial killer who disguises himself in dresses to murder women.
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