For years, British author J.K. Rowling was one of the most famous and adored women in the world. She changed the literary universe when she published her first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Sorcerer’s Stone in the US). The original story and the six Harry Potter books that followed would also be transformed into one of the most successful film franchises ever.
Many of Rowling’s readers loved the wizarding world, feeling like the books taught them about being strong, not being afraid to be different, and learning to accept everyone around them.
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A lot of those fans have been crushed in the past few years, as they learned that J.K. Rowling was not as accepting as many of the characters in her novels. Rowling has made it very clear that she does not support the transgender community, does not believe in trans rights, and does not believe that transgender women are women. In fact, she has worked incredibly hard and spent millions of dollars to help pass laws that target the transgender community.
Back in April, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom declared that transgender women were not afforded protection under Britain’s Equality Act. The court ruled that the law only protected women who were born biologically female.
Rowling celebrated the ruling and the role that she played in it, receiving backlash from those who once loved her.
Related: J.K. Roasts Beloved ‘Harry Potter’ Star and LGBTQ Icon as Their “Friendship” Falls Apart
One of the people who was disgusted by Rowling’s actions was Disney and Marvel star, Pedro Pascal. Pascal has a transgender sister, Lux, whom he absolutely adores and has brought to red carpet events with him.
In an Instagram post, telling fans to boycott anything and everything Harry Potter, Pascal commented, calling Rowling’s actions “heinous LOSER behavior.”
If possible, Pascal’s comments made his fans love him even more.
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Pascal stands by his comments, defends what he said, and continues to say that he will always protect the people he loves.
In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Pascal said that when the comments started going viral, he was worried about whether he was actually helping. He said that he had to say something because bullies make him sick.
As it grew into a larger story, Pascal felt briefly like “that kid that got sent to the principal’s office a lot for behavioral issues in public schools in Texas feeling scared and thinking, What’d I do?” But something else worried him more. “The one thing that I would say I agonized over a little bit was just, ‘Am I helping? Am I f***ing helping?’ It’s a situation that deserves the utmost elegance so that something can actually happen, and people will actually be protected. Listen, I want to protect the people I love. But it goes beyond that. Bullies make me f***ing sick.”
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Pascal is not the only celebrity to speak out against J.K. Rowling and call her a TERF — Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist. Rowling has ruined relationships with many people she once considered friends, including Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.
Other notable celebrities have also spoken out against Rowling, including Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, who said that she would not be setting foot anywhere near the new Harry Potter series being developed at HBO Max.
Harry Potter and Doctor Who star David Tennant has also been vocal about his disdain for Rowling. The actor has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and even received a GLAAD award. Mr. Tennant has admitted that he loves the Harry Potter franchise, but would not be returning to it in any capacity.
Whose side are you on in the battle between Pedro Pascal and J.K. Rowling? Do you think more celebrities should be outspoken against discrimination? Do you think J.K. Rowling should continue to work on the new Harry Potter series, or will you not watch it because she is still involved? Share your thoughts on everything J.K. Rowling and Pedro Pascal with us in the comments!
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