Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting, says JK Rowling has been ‘demonized’ as ‘some kind of witch’ in bitter transgender debate
- Irvine Welsh believes that Mrs Rowling’s feminist position has been misrepresented
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh has spoken out in defense of JK Rowling, saying she has been “demonized” as “some sort of witch” because of her views on transgender issues.
The 64-year-old Scotsman, whose novel was turned into a cult classic by Danny Boyle in 1996, said the Harry Potter author was simply “trying to protect women’s spaces.”
Speak against The timesIn fact, the author said he consulted “trans advisors” when writing his latest book, The Long Knives, which came out last year.
JK Rowling has been repeatedly labeled as transphobic for her views on the LGBT+ debate on social media.
But Mr Welsh said he admired her integrity and believes her feminist stance has been misrepresented as an attempt to ‘destroy transgender people’.
Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting, has said JK Rowling has been “demonized” as “some sort of witch” because of her views on transgender issues. Pictured is the author of Harry Potter wearing a T-shirt that labels ex-SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon a ‘destroyer of women’s rights’
The 64-year-old Scot said the Harry Potter author was just ‘trying to protect women’s spaces’
He said: “She’s been demonized as some kind of witch who wants to destroy transgender people, but she just wants women’s spaces to be protected.
“There has to be a way we can promote trans rights without attacking women’s rights.”
He said the toxic nature of the debate had been taken over by online extremists, adding: “There is such a huge difference between the majority of trans people and how they are portrayed on social media.
“It’s the same with feminists, anarchists, socialists, even fascists — each group has a much more extreme, narcissistic element to social media.”
When asked about the trans debate, the author said he had “consulted trans advisors” for both his new book and the TV show, adding, “You have to listen to people who know more than you do.
“There are too many straight white men expressing their opinions on everything. I’m here to get an education.”
JK Rowling recently mocked trans rights activists who said they weren’t planning on watching the new TV adaptation of Harry Potter – joking that she had “a big stash of champagne” to celebrate.
The author, who is reportedly worth £850million, took to Twitter to say she had “terrible news” she had to share with fans before making the derisive remarks against people in favor of equal rights for transgender people.
JK Rowling recently mocked trans rights activists who said they don’t intend to watch the series’ new TV adaptation, saying she has “a big stash of champagne” to celebrate
Some trans rights advocates are now calling for a boycott of the new TV show, which will run for ten years and will see Rowling take on a starring role as producer.
She wrote on Friday: “Terrible news that I feel compelled to share. Activists I mention are trying to organize another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show.
“As warned for two, I have prepared a large supply of champagne as a precaution.”
Her comments refer to some on Twitter calling on those who support transgender rights not to watch the show in solidarity with the LGBT+ community.