Emma Watson speaks out against JK Rowling amid backlash

Emma Watson has been accused of “biting the hand that fed her” following her response to JK Rowling’s controversial comments this week.

Emma Watson has thrown her support behind the transgender community amid controversy over Harry Potter author JK Rowling’s comments earlier this week.

But the star has been accused of “biting the hand that fed her” by some followers on Twitter.

RELATED: What JK Rowling doesn’t realise

RELATED: JK Rowling defends ‘transphobic’ comments

Watson, who starred as Hermione Granger in all eight of the Harry Potter films, 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.”

She continued: “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.”

The 30-year-old also said she had donated to the charities Mermaids and Mama Cash, and encouraged her followers to do the same if they were able.

“Happy #Pride2020,” she concluded. “Sending love.”

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.

— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020

Her response was posted shortly after Rowling opened up about her past domestic and sexual abuse in a personal essay on her website, and a day on from Daniel Radcliffe’s apology to Harry Potter fans who may feel Rowling has “tarnished” the franchise for them.

While Watson’s words were well-intentioned, many were quick to criticise the Perks Of Being A Wallflower star for getting involved.

Emma Watson has copped backlash for her J.K. Rowling response. Picture: Getty Images.

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 and fortune to JK Rowling and not one iota of public support for her. Wretched ingrates the lot of them.”

“I’m actually shocked at the betrayal of the woman who made them by Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. Not one word of support for her, her views, her right to speak them without censure or violence, no condemnation of the attacks on her by those for whom they are allies,” one more said.

Some fans have claimed Watson and other Harry Potter stars have “betrayed” Rowling by speaking against her. Picture: Getty Images.

Watson isn’t the only Harry Potter star who has spoken out against Rowling.

Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in four of the Harry Potter films, tweeted this week: “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.”

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

— Bonnie Wright (@thisisbwright) June 10, 2020

And in a post published on the website of LGBTQ youth charity The Trevor Project, Radcliffe wrote: “To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you. I really hope that you don’t entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you.”

JK Rowling’s ‘transphobic’ comments caused a Twitter storm this week. Picture: Getty Images

Over the weekend Rowling waded into perhaps her biggest controversy yet when she called out the use of the phrase “people who menstruate” by sharing an op-ed article with that wording on Twitter.

After receiving backlash for the tweet, Rowling doubled down on her stance and pushed back against repeated accusations of transphobia – accusations she’s also been faced with in the past.

“I’m sure there used to be a word for those people,” Rowling tweeted.

“Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

Rowling then responded to the initial backlash on Twitter, telling her 14.5 million followers: “If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased.”

“I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth,” she said.

I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

Yesterday, the Harry Potter author explained why she entered a controversial debate on gender identity, addressing her “own complex backstory”.

Addressing the controversy in a lengthy essay on her website, she revealed for the first time she is a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor, which is what led her to fighting for women.

Rowling said she hoped her explanation would not add any more toxicity to the debate.

“This isn’t an easy piece to write, for reasons that will shortly become clear, but I know it’s time to explain myself on an issue surrounded by toxicity. I write this without any desire to add to that toxicity,” she started.

“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.”

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.”

JK Rowling’s first husband has since responded to her claims that he was abusive, confirming that he slapped her – but insisting he’s “not sorry”.

Jorge Arantes, 52, told The Sun he had not bothered to read the accusations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife.

“I slapped Joanne – but there was not sustained abuse. I’m not sorry for slapping her,” he told the publication on Thursday.

The ex-drug addict, who is father to the Harry Potter author’s oldest daughter, Jessica, addressed her recent claim that she was a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor.

“If she says that, that’s up to her. It’s not true I hit her,” Mr Arantes said.