6 days Ago By Mamta Raut
Since 2019, JK Rowling has been labeled a ‘terf’ or trans-exclusionary radical feminist, for her anti-trans views that conflate sex with gender and suggest that changing one's biological sex threatens her own gender identity. The Harry Potter author has been facing backlash for her anti-trans views for years and now the negativity appears to have transcended to actor John Lithgow, who recently confirmed his casting as Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ reboot. In an interview with UK’s Sunday Times, Lithgow clarified that JK Rowling was not a factor in him saying yes to the project.
“It was a big decision because it’s probably the last major role I’ll play. It’s an eight-year commitment, so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role,” he highlighted. As soon as the announcement was made public, he reportedly received a text from a friend, who is the mother of a trans child, asking him to walk away from Harry Potter.
“I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?' I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it.
I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her, and I’m curious to talk to her," Lithgow said. Wondering if the criticism would make him re-think his decision, the actor said, “Oh, heavens no.” Recently, JK Rowling sparked controversy after her social media posts and actions in support of a recent UK Supreme Court ruling against trans women.
The UK highest court ruled April 16 that the definition of a woman under equality legislation referred to "biological sex" and that trans women with gender recognition certificates are not protected from discrimination as a woman under Britain's Equality Act..
