Stephen Fry’s JK Rowling criticism is welcome – but I’m still disappointed

Pleasantly surprised – and honestly, a bit relieved.

That was my immediate reaction when I saw that British national treasure Sir Stephen Fry decided to finally speak out against JK Rowling’s relentless demonisation of trans people and the rampant bigotry gripping the UK.

Fry, who narrated all seven of Rowling’s Harry Potter audiobooks, told a podcast how he no longer had regular dinners with his fellow author, and that her views on trans people were ‘strange’. 

For trans people like me, I think her views are a bit more than that. 

Fry’s comments, in which he claimed Rowling was ‘mocking’ LGBT people, had said ‘inflammatory and distressing’ things, describing her as a ‘lost cause, radicalised by Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists’, were appreciated. 

Truly. 

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also saddened that it took him this long to say something.

For years, the trans community has raised alarm bells about the festering transphobia spreading across parts of the British media and politics. 

In columns like these, I’ve increasingly warned about the scale of this transphobia, and raised concerns about the output of JK Rowling in particular. 

The wider community has also pleaded for recognition, support, and solidarity for years. More often than not, our calls were met with silence – from celebrities, public figures, and others in positions of influence who could’ve made a difference.

Let’s be honest: JK Rowling’s increasing hostility towards the trans community is no secret, and it is certainly nothing new.  

The author has clearly been on a journey, and not a positive one. 

From brushing off her liking a post describing trans women as ‘men in dresses’ as a ‘middle-aged moment,’ to claiming she’d march with trans people if they were being discriminated against (they are), Rowling is now relentlessly posting online where she openly misgenders and mocks trans people’s identities and appearances.

Her recent celebration of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of sex as it relates to the Equality Act was just the latest move in a long campaign of undermining trans rights, posting a very ‘woman of the people’ picture from her yacht. 

Last night, Fry described that picture as Rowling ‘crowing’ about that decision, and said he was ‘very happy to go on the record to say that I am really angry about that.’

He’s right – but for those of us in the community – and our allies – it’s been obvious for years where this was all heading.

Fry said he ‘always liked’ Rowling’s company and found her charming. But for trans people, this isn’t about an intellectual debate between friends. It’s about dog whistles, disinformation, and hateful rhetoric. 

And sadly, it’s worked. Trans people are now more vilified than ever, with our very existence being questioned and our lived experience being cast aside. 

When Fry previously hid behind a ‘both sides’ argument and refused to hold his friend JK Rowling to account – I was disappointed. 

So while I do applaud him for finally speaking out, I can’t help but note: Others have been brave enough to do so long before now. 

Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint didn’t wait for things to get this bad to show solidarity with trans people.

Meanwhile, some actors are still happily signing up for roles in the new Harry Potter series, seemingly unbothered by Rowling’s rhetoric. 

Personally, I know I wouldn’t throw a vulnerable group of people under the Knight Bus for a role no matter how much success it gave me. Equality is simply more important than currency. 

The level of vitriol being hurled at trans people in the UK today, from strangers online to politicians and millionaire authors, is unlike anything I’ve seen. 

This isn’t a polite disagreement at a dinner party – there are tangible risks to trans people in this country. 

So yes, I wish Stephen Fry had spoken up sooner – and used his considerable platform to oppose the damaging views of JK Rowling before now. 

But I’m ultimately glad he finally has. Because right now, we need more people –  especially those with influence – to find their voice and use it.

It’s never too late to stand on the right side of history. And if Fry’s shift can inspire others to do the same, then maybe, just maybe, we’re not too far gone.

We need allies. We need courage. With that, we can prevent the next ‘lost cause’.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

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