Evanna Lynch is throwing her support behind J. K. Rowling amid the transphobia controversy surrounding the author.
The 31-year-old Harry Potter actress, who played Luna Lovegood in the franchise, said Rowling deserved “more grace.”
RELATED STORIES
Rowling’s Allegedly Transphobic Comments
In an interview with The Telegraph , Lynch addressed the Harry Potter creator’s views on the transgender community, which have been sparking debate since 2020 after she tweeted what appeared to be discriminatory opinions.
Lynch Defended Her
In her conversation with the outlet, Lynch came to Rowling’s defense, saying, “I just felt that her character has always been to advocate for the most vulnerable members of society.”
‘Give Her More Grace’
“The problem is that there’s a disagreement over who’s the most vulnerable,” she added. “I do wish people would just give her more grace and listen to her.”
What Lynch Said About Rowling In 2020
When the controversy first exploded in 2020, the Irish actress had also weighed in by expressing support for Rowling.
‘Compassion For Both Sides’
She now says she “was very naïve” back then.
“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 continued.
An Empathetic Person
As someone who had dealt with anorexia in the past and landed the role of Luna Lovegood with a lot of encouragement from Rowling, she said she was an empathetic person.
‘Great Compassion’ For The Trans Community
She had “great compassion for trans people” and didn’t “want to add to their pain.”
Rowling As An Advocate For ‘Detransitioners’
However, she also believed that what Rowling was doing “has been amplifying the voices of detransitioners,” which she thought was important, too.
How Rowling’s Transphobia Controversy Started
The world-renowned author received backlash three years ago after she criticized an article that used the phrase “people who menstruate.”
Her Tweet
In reaction to the article, she tweeted, “’People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Her Remarks Got Slammed
Many denounced her remarks at the time, including the three lead stars of Harry Potter : Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
What Daniel Radcliffe Said
Radcliffe had penned an open letter published on the Trevor Project website , in which he asserted that “transgender women are women.”
‘Erases The Identity And Dignity Of Transgender People’
He added, “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.”
Lynch Defended Her
Lynch, however, had defended and heaped praises on Rowling in a since-deleted tweet, although she also cautioned against discussing such a sensitive issue on social media.
Others Weighed In
A few other Harry Potter stars had weighed in on the debate as well, issuing statements that were sympathetic to the controversial author.
Helena Bonham Carter Denounced The Backlash
Helena Bonham Carter, who played Bellatrix Lestrange, denounced the backlash against Rowling and felt that she’d been harassed.
Ralph Fiennes Defended Her, Too
Ralph Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort, had similar sentiments. He believed that the fallout had been abusive and reprehensible.
Tom Felton’s Tactful Opinion
Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, had a more neutral stance. He felt that anyone could do whatever they wanted as long as they weren’t hurting others.
What The Producers Of ‘Harry Potter’ Said
Back then, Warner Bros., which produced the Harry Potter movies, had declared its commitment to diversity and inclusivity but did not directly condemn Rowling’s statements.
