JK Rowling radicalised by terfs, says Stephen Fry

JK Rowling has been 'radicalised by terfs', Sir Stephen Fry has claimed.
It is the first time the comedian and television presenter, who narrated all seven Harry Potter audio books, has criticised his former friend, describing her as a 'lost cause'.
Speaking on the Show People podcast, Sir Stephen said: 'She has been radicalised I fear and it may be she has been radicalised by terfs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her.
''It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her I am afraid.
'I am not saying that she [should] not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. She seems to be a lost cause for us.'
The term terf is used as a slur to describe 'transgender-exclusionary radical feminists'.
Rowling has become a leading voice in the transgender debate.
She hailed the Supreme Court's landmark ruling that transgender women are not legally women as a victory and posted a picture of herself enjoying a drink and a cigar in April.
Sir Stephen is the latest high profile figure to criticise the author, following well documented fall-outs with original cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
It is the first time he has criticised his former friend.
He claimed she was 'mocking' LGBT+ people and vowed his support for the community.
'Hornet's nest of transphobia'
'She started to make these peculiar statements and had very strong difficult views,' he continued.
'She seemed to wake up or kick a hornet's nest of transphobia which has been entirely destructive. I disagree profoundly with her on this subject.
'I am angry she does not disavow some of the more revolting and truly horrible, destructive, violently destructive things that people say. She does not attack those at all.'
He said he was 'very happy' to go on the record and say he was 'really angry' about Rowling's 'crowing' of the gender ruling in court.
But added that he had always enjoyed her company and previously found her 'charming, funny and interesting'.
''When it comes to the transphobia issue it is right to remind people that trans people are here and that they are hurting and that they are being abominably treated,' he said.
Sir Stephen's comments come after Tom Felton was attacked online for not distancing himself from the author.
The actor, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, said he was not 'attuned to trans debate' but remained 'incredibly grateful' to Rowling.

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