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JK Rowling Called Out By Harry Potter Star After She Celebrated Trans Ruling With Cigar
JK Rowling Called Out By Harry Potter Star After She Celebrated Trans Ruling With Cigar
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JK Rowling Called Out By Harry Potter Star After She Celebrated Trans Ruling With Cigar

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Harry Potter actor Sean Biggerstaff has slammed J.K Rowling on social media, calling her “bigoted” for her recent comments regarding transgender rights.

The author celebrated the UK Supreme Court ruling declaring that the term “women” in the 2010 Equality Act refers only to biological women, excluding trans women who legally hold gender recognition certificates (GRC).

Highlights
  • Harry Potter star Sean Biggerstaff publicly condemned J.K. Rowling on X.
  • Rowling supported a UK Supreme Court ruling that excludes trans women from the definition of "women" under the Equality Act.
  • Sean defended his Harry Potter co-stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who have also spoken out in favor of trans rights.

Rowling financially backed For Women Scotland, the campaign group that brought the case to the Supreme Court.

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    A man in formal attire with a bow tie at a red carpet event, related to a Harry Potter star's comments on JK Rowling.

    Image credits: Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images

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    Sean, who portrayed Oliver Wood in the first two Harry Potter films and returned for a cameo in the final installment, responded to the 59-year-old author after she shared a photo enjoying a cigar and a cocktail aboard her yacht, accompanied by a caption about a plan “coming together.”

    Rowling denied accusations that she was “smoking a bl*nt,” clarifying that it was “objectively, provably and demonstratively a cigar.”

    The Scottish actor then claimed she lacked a sense of humor, writing: “Bigotry rots the wit.”

    JK Rowling smiling at an event, wearing blue necklace and earrings, following trans ruling celebration.

    Image credits: John Phillips/Getty Images

    Rowling shared a picture of Susan Smith and Marion Calder, co-directors of For Women Scotland, warning people not to “f**k with Scottish women.”

    Sean replied to the author’s message: “The majority of Scottish women, who don’t agree with these d**kheads, aren’t being bankrolled by an obsessed billionaire.”

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    In a separate post, the former Quidditch captain for Gryffindor compared the creator of the wizarding world to Andrew Tate, a self-proclaimed misogynist who often puffs a cigar on camera.

    “Lol, huffing on a cigar now? Is she Andrew Tate?” read the message that Sean reposted.

    Sean portrayed Quidditch captain Oliver Wood in the first two Harry Potter films and returned for a cameo in the final movie

    Harry Potter star in red Quidditch gear with teammates, holding brooms in a castle corridor setting.

    Image credits: Netflix

    Young actor in Gryffindor attire from Harry Potter, expressing opinions on JK Rowling's trans ruling celebration.

    Image credits: Netflix

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    He also showed support for his co-stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint when a user wrote, “Wonder how these disloyal bags of sh*t are doing today?”

    “You don’t have to wonder,” he penned. “You know what they’re doing–leading happy and successful lives, having not driven their families away with their hateful obsessions.”

    The 42-year-old remains active in the Harry Potter world. In February, he attended a signing event at the Gibert Joseph bookstore in France.

    Moreover, he attended a meet and greet in Italy in December 2024 as well as the New England WizardFest & Magic Convention in Massachusetts in August 2023.

    The actor slammed the Harry Potter author in a series of messages shared on X (formerly Twitter)

    Harry Potter star comments on tweet celebrating JK Rowling's stance on women's rights, featuring an image of Rowling.

    Image credits: Seanchuckle

    Sean further expressed his opposition to the ruling, stating that the “loudest voices” were “using concern for s*x-based rights as a cover for entirely reactionary politics.”

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    He shared: “Today is just a torrent of people being willfully simple-minded. A performance of pragmatism to cloak their instinctive distaste for the Other.”

    The 42-year-old stood by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, defending them from attacks over their support for the trans community

    Harry Potter stars in a social media post discussing JK Rowling's views and trans ruling celebration.

    Image credits: Seanchuckle

    JK Rowling in luxury setting, sparking reaction from Harry Potter star over trans rights remarks.

    Image credits: Seanchuckle

    Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that only biological women would be protected from discrimination as a woman under the Equality Act.

    The Scottish government had previously argued that transgender women with a GRC certificate were entitled to s*x-based protections.

    For Women Scotland claimed the Equality Act only applied to cisgender women and brought a case against the Scottish government.

    A spokesperson for the UK government said the ruling “brings clarity and confidence”  for women and those who run hospitals, sports clubs and women’s refuges.

    “We have always supported the protection of single-s*x spaces based on biological s*x. Single-s*x spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.”

    Sean also compared Rowling to the self-proclaimed misogynist influencer Andrew Tate and called her lack of humor a result of “bigotry”

    Tweet repost questioning if she's Andrew Tate, referencing JK Rowling in a trans ruling context.

    Image credits: Seanchuckle

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    Harry Potter star responds to JK Rowling's tweet on trans issues with comment, "Bigotry rots the wit.

    Image credits: Seanchuckle

    Harry Potter actors in a dimly lit scene, capturing a tense moment related to JK Rowling's controversy.

    Image credits: Netflix

    Rowling showed support for the ruling, writing, “It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK.

    “Trans people have lost zero rights today, although I don’t doubt some (not all) will be furious that the Supreme Court upheld women’s s*x-based rights.

    The Hogwarts architect previously expressed that she wouldn’t accept a hypothetical apology from Daniel Radcliffe or Emma Watson over their support of the trans community.

    “Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single s*x spaces,” she wrote in April 2024.

    All three Harry Potter stars voiced their support for the trans community after J.K. Rowling began posting critical comments in 2019

    Harry Potter cast poses with JK Rowling at an event, wearing formal attire, highlighting a trans rights discussion.

    Image credits: Jon Furniss/Getty Images

    In 2020, Daniel released an essay for The Trevor Project to voice his support for the trans community and apologize for the “pain” caused by Rowling’s words.

    Emma also released a statement, saying, “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.”

    Meanwhile, Rupert Grint stated that he “firmly stood” with the trans community. He shared: “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”

    “Such a weird take that you have to be eternally grateful to the writer,” one user wrote

    Chris Roberts critiques JK Rowling's control over HBO's show vs. Harry Potter films in a tweet.

    Image credits: Robbins17Chris

    Tweet responding to JK Rowling's trans ruling celebration, calling it unpleasant trolling and harmful to women.

    Image credits: The_Ice_Creamy

    Tweet questioning Harry Potter actors' loyalty to JK Rowling, suggesting they were recruited by Warner Bros.

    Image credits: littleferret22

    A tweet criticizes JK Rowling, suggesting she should be more thankful for the Harry Potter movies' success.

    Image credits: Comic_Geek94

    Tweet discussing loyalty and opinions related to a controversial Harry Potter author statement.

    Image credits: eruditecalm1

    Tweet discussing loyalty towards JK Rowling's involvement with Harry Potter adaptations.

    Image credits: BaileyCrawly

    Tweet discussing the Harry Potter author being labeled as transphobic, touching on legacy and fame.

    Image credits: ottercito

    Tweet criticizing JK Rowling without mentioning Andrew Tate, discussing loyalty and transphobia.

    Image credits: whiskileak

    Tweet discussing JK Rowling's critics and career debt, April 2025, by PhantomArts.

    Image credits: PhantomThorns

    Veggydaddy's tweet criticizing JK Rowling's views on trans identities within a social media exchange.

    Image credits: veggydaddy

    Tweet questioning support for JK Rowling, referencing Andrew Tate, posted by user La chica del pórtico.

    Image credits: Lizzie_AR

    Tweet screenshot discussing freedom, featuring a user named Bob Hope is dead.

    Image credits: BobHopeisdead

    Tweet criticizing loyalty to JK Rowling from Harry Potter actors.

    Image credits: daffodil_Ouro

    Tweet referencing JK Rowling and a Harry Potter star's comment on gratitude towards writers.

    Image credits: FaustinoBerlin

    Tweet criticizing JK Rowling's views on trans issues and discussing actors' obligations.

    Image credits: rmmcgrath

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

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    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

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    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, Entertainment News Writer

    With a degree in social science and a love for culture, I approach entertainment journalism at Bored Panda with a research-driven mindset. I write about celebrity news, Hollywood highlights, and viral stories that spark curiosity worldwide. My work has reached millions of readers and is recognized for balancing accuracy with an engaging voice. I believe that pop culture isn’t just entertainment, it reflects the social conversations shaping our time.

    What do you think ?
    Chris the Bobcat
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    jk rowling is basically the elon musk of the literary world. Once hailed, now reviled. (I deliberately choose not to capitalize either name as it implies respect, of which I have none.)

    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She takes pleasure in seeing others unhappy. A sign of psychopathy.

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    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    Chris the Bobcat
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    jk rowling is basically the elon musk of the literary world. Once hailed, now reviled. (I deliberately choose not to capitalize either name as it implies respect, of which I have none.)

    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She takes pleasure in seeing others unhappy. A sign of psychopathy.

    Load More Replies...
    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    7 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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