“Harry Potter” star Evanna Lynch says J.K. Rowling deserves “more grace” amid claims that the author is transphobic.
The actress — who portrayed Luna Lovegood in the film adaption of Rowling’s bestselling book series — said that it was “irresponsible to discuss such a delicate topic” as transgender rights online.” Nonetheless, she “can’t forget what a generous and loving person” Rowling is.
“I was very naive when I was dragged into that conversation,” Lynch, 31, told the Telegraph recently, referring to her initial comments about Rowling’s anti-trans controversy in 2020.
“I didn’t even know there were two sides. I had a view of, like, good and bad. I do have compassion for both sides of the argument,” she added.
Though Lynch said she has “great compassion for trans people” and doesn’t “want to add to their pain,” she believes “it’s important” that Rowling, 57, has been “amplifying voices of de-transitioners.”
“I just felt that her character has always been to advocate for the most vulnerable members of society,” the “My Name Is Emily” actress continued.
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“The problem is that there’s a disagreement over who’s the most vulnerable. I do wish people would just give her more grace and listen to her.”
Rowling came under fire in June 2020 after she appeared to tweet in support of anti-transgender views. At the time, she tweeted a link to an opinion article headlined “Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”
“‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” she wrote in the tweet.
The “Ickabog” author later defended her comments, penning a lengthy essay explaining her controversial views on gender.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the film franchise, previously spoke out against Rowling’s remarks in an open letter in which he declared that “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,” he wrote in an essay posted on the Trevor Project website, which focuses on providing support for young LGBTQIA+ people.
Radcliffe, 33, then addressed the “Harry Potter” fans directly, saying he was “deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you.”