JK Rowling Rebukes Emma Watson Over Transgender Activism, Defends Women’s Rights

03.10.2025

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has issued a pointed response to actress Emma Watson’s recent comments on transgender issues, accusing the former child star of promoting policies she’ll never personally suffer from due to her wealth and privilege.

Rowling, who has faced death threats for defending biological sex and women’s rights, criticized Watson and fellow actor Daniel Radcliffe for assuming the role of “de facto spokespeople” for the Wizarding World years after their acting careers in the franchise ended. She noted that Watson’s 2022 BAFTA speech—“I’m here for all of the witches”—was widely seen as a veiled jab at Rowling’s stance on gender ideology.

“I wasn’t a multimillionaire at 14,” Rowling wrote. “I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous. I understand what the trashing of women’s rights means to women and girls without her privileges.”

Watson, in a recent interview, expressed regret that “a conversation was never made possible,” but maintained her support for transgender activism. Rowling responded that such activism often ignores the real-world consequences for vulnerable women and children, especially those without elite protection.

Rowling has grown increasingly vocal in opposing radical gender ideology, particularly its impact on minors and the erosion of women’s spaces. Her recent reflections reveal a broader shift in worldview, including skepticism toward assisted dying, cannabis use, and even her past views on nuclear disarmament.

Despite relentless attacks from progressive activists, Rowling remains one of the few high-profile cultural figures willing to challenge the transgender lobby’s influence—standing firm in defense of truth, biological reality, and the rights of women and girls.