Disagreements on the gender issue between the creator of the Harry Potter series of books by J. K. Rowling and the main actors in the franchise have been boiling since 2020. Now the scandalous confrontation has flared up with renewed vigor after the words of actress Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), who tried to reduce the degree of tension, in the podcast of Jay Shetty.
Watson admitted that despite the differences in views, she still appreciates her experience of working with the creator of "Potteriana".
"I will never believe that one denies the other. I can keep and cherish my experience with this person, even if we look at things differently. My deepest wish is that those who disagree with me still love me, and that I can love them," said the actress.
She added that she is open to dialogue with Rowling and believes in the possibility of reaching mutual understanding.
However, Rowling reacted harshly to the attempt at public reconciliation.
First, the writer posted a parody video that ridiculed the actress's interview, and then published a detailed message on the social network X.
"Emma and Dan [Daniel Radcliffe, the performer of the role of Harry Potter] have made it clear in the last few years that, in their opinion, our former professional association gives them a special right — no, obligation — to criticize me and my views publicly. Years after the end of filming in ""They continue to take on the role of actual representatives of the world created by me," Rowling was outraged, noting that she also decided to exercise her right to speak publicly.
According to the writer, Watson simply does not have enough life experience to appreciate all these gender equality, for which she advocates.
"Like other people who have not survived adulthood without wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life that she does not realize her ignorance," Rowling believes.
The author of the novels is sure that Watson will never have to lie "in the general ward of a state hospital"; her "public toilet" is designed for one person, and a guard is on duty at the door.
"Did she have to undress in the new mixed locker room at the municipal swimming pool? To be in the same cell with a male rapist who was identified as a woman in a women's prison?", Rowling asks questions.
The writer noted that she lived in poverty as a child, which is why she understands "from her own life experience what it means for women and girls deprived of their privileges, the violation of women's rights, in which Emma participated so ardently."
Rowling directly points out that she was forced to speak out by Watson, who in a recent interview stated that she "loves and appreciates" the author of Potter.
"I suspect she changed tactics, noticing that openly condemning me is no longer so fashionable. If it weren't for that, I might never have been so honest," Rowling stressed.
As reported by EADaily, Rowling has been subjected to widespread criticism and even harassment in recent years because of her views on transgender people and transgenderism. It all started with her comment back in 2020 about the complicated wording "people who menstruate." Joan stated: previously, the word "woman" was used for this.
Radcliffe— the performer of the role of Harry Potter, has repeatedly criticized her views.
The actor admits that Harry Potter would not have happened without Rowling, and everything that happened would not have happened in Radcliffe's life without her.
"But that doesn't mean you have to give up the principles you really believe in in favor of someone," the actor concluded.
However, Rowling, ignoring criticism, continues to speak out against the mainstream. Among the most high—profile comments is a post about the prematurely ended boxing match of the 1/8 finals of the Olympics between Italian Angela Carini and Algerian representative Iman Khelif, who failed the gender test.
In addition, the writer took an active part in the activities of the organization for the protection of Scottish Women (FWS), which filed an appeal against the law adopted by the Scottish government in 2018. According to the document, a 50% share of women in the leadership of public bodies in Scotland should be ensured. According to the definition given by the legislation, transgender persons who identify themselves as women must also be considered women in order to achieve the required proportion.
As a result, FWS, whose legal campaign Rowling supported with tens of thousands of pounds, won. In April of this year, the Supreme Court of Great Britain ruled that the Equality Act determines the biological sex of women based on sex at birth. According to the 88-page decision of the UK Supreme Court of Appeal, transgender people cannot be considered biologically women in equality cases.