Harry Potter star Tom Felton has defended JK Rowling and praised her contribution to literature.
The actor, 35, is best known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the wizarding world, spoke out and praised her as 'no one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations and walks of life'. This comes after Rowling attracted a fierce backlash in 2020 after criticising an article which referred to ‘people who menstruate’.
Taking issue with the phrasing, the author – who denies she is transphobic – wrote on Twitter: ‘”People who menstruate”. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’"
Rowling, 57, has since doubled down on these comments and continues to defend her belief in biological sex. The Harry Potter creator has been met with huge public backlash alongside many stars of the franchise - including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint - who choose to spoke out in defence of the trans community and distance themselves from Rowling.
In a recent interview with The Times, Tom praised the author for her contribution to literature. He said: “I couldn’t speak for what others have said or what she said, to be completely honest, but I’m often reminded, attending Comic Cons [fantasy conventions] in particular, that no one has single-handedly done more for bringing joy to so many different generations and walks of life.
"I’m constantly reminded of her positive work in that field and as a person. I’ve only had a handful of meetings with her but she has always been lovely. So I’m very grateful for that.
"I’m pro. I’m pro choice. I’m pro life. I’m pro discussion. I’m pro love. I don’t tend to pick sides. I won’t talk specifics but I enjoy reminding myself and others that a lot of my good friends have ways of life or personal decisions that I don’t necessarily agree with.
He added: "We should enjoy celebrating each other’s differences.” The 35-year-old actor, like many of his co-stars, joined the series as a child and grew up making the eight films over a 10-year period, ending in 2011.
Since Rowling shared her views on the transgender community, many of the franchises' stars have spoken out against her opinion. “I firmly stand with the trans community,” Grint said in a statement to Us Weekly in June 2020. “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”
Following Rowling's original statement, Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, shared his own essay with transgender charity The Trevor Project.
He wrote: "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.
"If you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred."
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, shared a tweet amid the controversy, writing: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are.
"I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."
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