Harry Potter screenwriter addresses J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans comments. Rowling has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as of late, after making anti-trans statements via her Twitter account last weekend. Though Rowling’s recent comments weren’t the first time that the acclaimed Harry Potter author has been publically criticized for her stance on trans women, this time, she appears to have gone too far. Wide assortments of celebrities, as well as colleagues both past and present, have made public statements recently, distancing themselves from Rowling’s opinions.
The controversy over Rowling’s initial Twitter statements has also intensified as the 54-year-old shows no signs of backing down or apologizing, despite heavy criticism by members of the trans community and their allies. What’s more, the backlash has further cemented Rowling’s reputation as a TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist), a term she has repeatedly rejected and pointed to as another manner of attempting to silence female voices.
So far, all three of the lead cast members from the Harry Potter films have stepped forward to side with the trans community, and now, in an exclusive statement to Variety, the wizard franchise’s main screenwriter, Steve Kloves, has also spoken up. In a statement that echoes the sentiments of his Harry Potter colleagues, Kloves touched on the universal values of acceptance and diversity concerning trans and non-binary identifying people by saying:
“Our diversity is our strength. In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that transgender women and men, and people who are non-binary, feel safe and accepted for who they are. It seems very little to ask.”
Kloves’ involvement with the Harry Potter film franchise has seen him write the scripts for every installment, save for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which was written by Michael Goldenberg. In addition to the Potter films, Kloves is also involved with the Fantastic Beasts series as a producer as well as writer of the yet to be filmed third entry in the series. He’s worked with closely with Rowling for literally decades, making his disagreement with the author’s recent statements all the more powerful. It remains to be seen how this entire incident will affect the release of Fantastic Beasts 3 once it is complete. Still, as things currently stand, Rowling’s name alone has been enough to elicit a substantial degree of anger and feelings of betrayal from many. Her statements have cast the Potterverse in a whole new light, with cast members like Daniel Radcliffe doing what they can to comfort fans.
It is indeed troubling for so many to see someone with Rowling’s stature make anti-trans comments. The author has set herself up as a pillar of morality and tolerance over the years. Now, however, it seems doubtful that Rowling will be able to regain such profound respect. Beyond any anger that her words have caused, perhaps one of the most common emotions is sadness. It is demoralizing for an entire generation to grow up with the support of someone like Rowling, only to learn that she doesn’t wish to make the same concessions to a marginalized group of people that her colleagues and friends are willing to make.
Source: Variety