>
Harry Potter actor Ralph Fiennes has defended JK Rowling for “the disgusting” abuse she has received for her views on transgender issues and gay spaces.
The 59-year-old actor, who plays Lord Voldemort in the series of films based on the author’s books, said he understands where Mrs Rowling “comes from.”
Fiennes took a different stance from the younger members of the Harry Potter cast, adding that Ms Rowling chose to express her views as a woman, this didn’t make her an “uber-right fascist.” The Telegraph reports.
Speaking to the New York Times, he said, “The verbal abuse against her is disgusting, it’s horrific. I mean, I can understand a point of view that might be angry at what she says about women.
“But it’s not an obscene, far-right fascist. It’s just a woman saying, “I’m a woman, and I feel I’m a woman, and I want to be able to say I’m a woman.”
“And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman.’
K Rowling and Ralph Fiennes pictured at the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation Party at Hampton Court Palace in June 2007
He added: ‘JK Rowling has written these great books about empowerment, about young children finding themselves as human beings.
“It’s about how you become a better, stronger, more morally human being.”
Ms Rowling was struck by what she described as “relentless attacks” after she questioned an online article “people who menstruate” in 2020.
She wrote: ‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me. wumben? Wimp? Woomud?’
Her comments sparked reaction from a range of other stars, including Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the series’ film franchise, Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, and Eddie Redmayne, who stars in Mrs. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts films.
Fiennes, meanwhile, is one of the older members of the cast.
He previously questioned the online “hate” directed against Ms Rowling, while the late Robbie Coltrane said her critics are “waiting to be offended.”
Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy, said Ms Rowling’s charitable work had been “undeniably good” and vowed not to “jump to stab her in the back.”
And Miriam Margolyes said the “insult JK Rowling has been given is misplaced.”
Tom Felton was cheated by trans rights activists earlier this month after saying that Ms Rowling’s work should be celebrated.
The 35-year-old, who played Draco Malfoy in the wizarding series, said the author’s creations had brought people and generations together.
The outburst was sparked after Felton said he wouldn’t shy away from or criticize her as others had, instead insisting he was grateful to her for her books earlier this week.
And he told Radio 4’s Today program this morning: ‘I cannot speak for what other individuals have said. I’m constantly reminded that the Potter verse, especially as we were wrapping up the movies, was expected to slowly decline over the years, while most fans who say hello to me, “Potter” or shout “Draco”. with me were not even born when the books were made.
The 59-year-old actor, who plays Lord Voldemort in the series of films based on the author’s books, said he understands where Mrs Rowling ‘comes from’
“I’m quick to remind myself and others that for some reason Potter has brought more people around the world and more generations together in the past 20 years than probably has done anything else and I’m quick to celebrate.
“It came from one person and that’s her, so I’m very grateful.”
It comes as Ms Rowling is engaged in a war of words with Billy Bragg over transgender rights, today accusing him of using “the Holocaust to attack feminists.”
It started when Ms Rowling claimed that ‘bearded men’, including Bragg and BBC star Graham Norton, define what a woman is – rather than leaving it to women themselves.
Bragg, 64, this week retweeted a video of an interview with Norton at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, which the musician said was “very good” at cancel culture “and JK Rowling.”
Seeing the tweet, the author attacked the singer, saying she’s “enjoyed the recent spate of bearded men confidently stepping on their soapboxes to define what a woman is and throwing their support behind rape and death threats.”
In a later tweet, the singer responded: “I’m not complaining that you have a view, JK. I complain that you are confusing my opinion with support for rape and death threats.
“I have never expressed such feelings and if you had any self-respect you would apologize for making such a blatantly inflammatory accusation.”