Fury as Emma Watson wades into JK Rowling trans row hours after author revealed sex attack
EMMA Watson has today waded into the JK Rowling trans row – just hours after the author revealed she had been sexually abused. Rowling last night made the revelations she had experienced domestic abuse as she explained her recent tweets that had been slammed as ‘transphobic’. Rowling was accused of being “anti-trans” last week for […]
EMMA Watson has today waded into the JK Rowling trans row – just hours after the author revealed she had been sexually abused.
Rowling last night made the revelations she had experienced domestic abuse as she explained her recent tweets that had been slammed as ‘transphobic’.
Rowling was accused of being “anti-trans” last week for appearing to mock an article about “people who menstruate”.
And the 54-year-old last night shared her experiences of horrific domestic and sexual abuse, claiming it helped to explain her controversial tweets.
But just hours later Brit actress Emma, 30, waded into the row herself, saying transgender people “deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned”.
Watson, who played Hermione in the film franchise based on the author’s popular books, tweeted: “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.”
A Twitter war has been raging since the author shared her tweets and story – with many criticising Emma Watson for getting involved.
One wrote: “I’ve never seen someone bite the hand the fed them so callously.
“She just disclosed her sexual assault and this is your response. Your ‘feminism’ is back to front. It’s a joke.”
Another added: “And now Emma Watson. Another actor who owes her fame & fortune to JK Rowling & not one iota of public support for her. Wretched ingrates the lot of them.”
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular character, has also spoke out, saying: “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 the subject matter than either Jo (Rowling) or I.”
Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in four of the Harry Potter films, tweeted: “If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without judgment or question. Transwomen are Women. I see and love you, Bonnie x”.
Rowling defended herself last night as she described her first violent marriage, though she did not identify who had sexually assaulted her.
She said: “I want trans women to be safe. At the same time, I do not want to make natal girls and women less safe.
“When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman – and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones – then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth.”
Rowling slammed “inclusive” language that referred to “people who menstruate”, as she believes it is “dehumanising”.
She explained: “‘Woman’ is not a costume. ‘Woman’ is not an idea in a man’s head. ‘Woman’ is not a pink brain, a liking for Jimmy Choos or any of the other sexist ideas now somehow touted as progressive.”
Arantes has previously admitted being violent during his marriage to Rowling, who is now happily married to Scottish doctor Neil Murray.
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Rowling married Arantes in 1992 after a brief relationship.
He later revealed that he kicked Rowling out of their apartment when Jessica was two months old.
The couple divorced in 1995. Rowling’s second husband Neil is the father of her 17-year-old son David.
