Latest news with #TERFs
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Stephen Fry brands JK Rowling a 'lost cause' over transgender rows
Sir Stephen Fry has branded JK Rowling a "lost cause" and fears she's been "radicalised by TERFs". The 67-year-old comedian and author previously vowed not to "abandon" his friendship with the Harry Potter author - despite her controversial comments about the transgender community However, he is not afraid to call out her "inflammatory and contemptuous" behavior and admitted he believes she's beyond help. Appearing on The Show People podcast, he said: 'She has been radicalised I fear and it maybe she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her." Fry added that Rowling had caused 'a hornet's nest of transphobia which has been entirely destructive." He continued: 'She says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.' Fry narrated the Harry Potter audiobooks and also voiced Rowling's The Ickabog story in 2020. A year later, he insisted: 'She's a friend and will remain a friend.' Fry later called for calm in the debate over transgender issues, even though the author's remarks upset some of his transgender friends. Asked if he wanted to take part in the debate, Stephen explained on the Beeb Watch podcast: "I wouldn't. I definitely wouldn't because I am aware that you are talking about an issue where two sides are very sore and anxious about their enemies." The actor admitted that he finds himself in an awkward situation, having friends on both sides of the debate. He continued: "She is a friend of mine and I have trans friends and intersex friends who are deeply upset by her. "That is a circle I have to square personally." Stephen ultimately hopes to see an end to the arguing. The V for Vendetta star - who married his husband Elliott Spencer in 2015 - explained: "I know that JK Rowling doesn't want to see trans people bullied, alienated, shut out of society, made to feel ashamed, guilty, laughed at, all those things. "But I also know that there are people who believe that safe feminine spaces and the idea of difference between sex and gender is very important, and that they repudiate with all their strength the Judith Butler – the idea of created gender and so on. "It is not an argument I want to get involved in because it is upsetting to both sides and I would wish them both to retreat and to consider that is possible for trans people to live full, accepted lives according to their terms in society, and for women to have all the rights and dignities they demand. "But it isn't possible if each side looks on the other as an enemy and the trans people just shout 'terf' and the feminists seem to, as it were, undermine the dignity and rights of the trans community, if I can use the word community - it is a bit of a greasy word, but there you go."
The National
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Stephen Fry says JK Rowling has been 'radicalised by Terfs'
The TV presenter and comic described the bestselling writer, whose net worth reportedly stands at £945 million, as a 'lost cause' because of her views. Fry has historically been wary of wading into the transgender debate but has now come out to say he disagrees 'profoundly' with Rowling's views. He narrated the audiobooks for the whole Harry Potter series and said he was 'sorry' about his rift with Rowling over the issue. Fry told The Show People podcast last week that he previously enjoyed Rowling's company but said her gender critical views had 'completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now'. He 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 not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. She seems to be a lost cause for us.' Terf stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist and is used as an insult by pro-trans activists. Fry, who formerly hosted the quiz show QI, added: 'She started to make these peculiar statements and had very strong difficult views. 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. 'She says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.' READ MORE: Group of 'neo-Nazis' thrown out from council meeting about 'far-right racist' banners On Rowling's interventions in Scottish politics, which has been at the centre of UK-wide debates about trans rights, Fry said: 'She has crowed at the success of legislation in Scotland and elsewhere declaring things about gender. 'So I am very happy to go on the record to say that I am really angry about that.' Fry expressed regret about how Rowling (below) had changed, as he saw it. 'I am sorry because I always liked her company,' he said. 'I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now.' Fry, who is himself gay, previously faced criticism from parts of the LGBTQ+ community for not being more strident in his comments about the trans rights debate. In 2022, he called for both sides to stop fighting one another, saying: 'There is no winner.' He previously described Rowling as a 'friend', adding: 'I have trans friends and intersex friends who are deeply upset by her. That is a circle I have to square personally.' Fry added that he did not intend to 'abandon' friendships.
Euronews
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Stephen Fry on J.K. Rowling: ‘She seems to be a lost cause'
Renowned British actor, author and broadcaster Stephen Fry has labelled Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling a 'lost cause' and stated that she has been 'radicalised by TERFs' - the acronym that stands for 'trans-exclusionary radical feminist'. The term is used by transgender activists against gender critics like Rowling, who has dedicated much of her online presence to defending her views while expressing transphobic views. During the recording of the podcast The Show People, Fry, who previously narrated all seven Harry Potter audiobooks, said: "She has been radicalised I fear and it maybe she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her.' As reported by The Daily Mail, Fry continued: 'It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her I am afraid. I am not saying that she not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. She seems to be a lost cause for us.' 'I am sorry because I always liked her company,' he added. 'I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened, and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now.' He continued by saying that Rowling's 'contemptuous' comments 'add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.' Stephen Fry spoke in the aftermath of the UK Supreme Court ruling in April that determined that 'woman' meant a biological female and not gender. Lord Hodge said the five Supreme Court justices had unanimously decided that 'the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex.' Many expressed fears that the ruling could put trans and non-binary people in danger. Stonewall's chief executive Simon Blake said that the ruling 'will be incredibly worrying for the trans community and all of us who support them.' Meanwhile, Rowling celebrated the ruling by posting a picture of herself smoking a cigar on her yacht. Fry's recent comments have been met with a torrent of bile online... ... as well as some support, highlighting quite how divisive the issue remains. Fry is not the only former Harry Potter star to speak out and criticise Rowling's continued hateful rhetoric. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have all spoken out against her controversial views. Last year, Radcliffe told The Atlantic that Rowling's views 'make me really sad', adding: 'Because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.' Watson expressed her support, stating: "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 said: "I firmly stand with the trans community... Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment." Rowling previously said that she wouldn't forgive the Harry Potter stars who have criticised her views. '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 sex spaces,' she wrote on X. Earlier this year, Rowling reignited tensions with the actors by taking an indirect jab at Radcliffe, Watson and Grint. In March, she was asked: 'What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?' Rowling replied: 'Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.' By contrast, Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the franchise, said he remains 'grateful' to Rowling. 'I'm not really that attuned,' said Felton. 'The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world. Here I am in New York. And I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she's responsible for that. So I'm incredibly grateful.' His comments sparked a wave of differing reactions - some applauded him for what they called a 'classy response,' while others condemned his words as 'atrocious,' 'spineless,' and 'disappointing.' Should an artist's faith determine what happens to their work when they die? The death of one of France's most successful rappers has raised this question. French rapper Werenoi, whose real name was Jérémy Bana Owona, died on 17 May 2025, aged 31. He was France's top album seller in 2023 and 2024, and his death shocked both the music industry and the public. 'Rest in peace my man. A news that saddens me and courage to the loved ones especially', popstar Aya Nakamura wrote on social media. Following the release of his first song 'Guadalajara' in 2021, Werenoi quickly rose to great success. His 2024 album 'Carré' was named best rap album at the Flammes Awards, and he was the opening act for Burna Boy at the Stade de France in April. With more than 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, he was an example of a vibrant francophone music scene that keeps growing worldwide, according to the platform's new report on francophone content. Culture minister Rachida Dati called the rapper 'the icon of a generation.' 'In an age of overexposure and ever-present social media, he had opted for privacy. Cultivating discretion, he revealed himself only through his lyrics', Dati said in a statement on 20 May. One of the only known facts about Werenoi's private life was his faith. The rapper was Muslim. In the hours following his death, debates erupted on social media over what should be done with his music according to Islam. 'Werenoi was a Muslim, and we invite you to listen to his music as little as possible, out of respect for his faith," online rap publication Raplume said in a social media post that has since been deleted. 'Avoid streaming Werenoi's tracks, he was a Muslim, it's for his faith', one user said on X. A tribute to the artist by French rap radio station Skyrock elicited similar criticism. Other fans felt that listening to Werenoi's music was a way of paying their respects and ensuring that his legacy lives on. 'When he was alive, Werenoi was making music, going on Skyrock and selling albums, so it's only natural that when he dies, the rap world should pay tribute to him by playing his music', one user wrote on X. The rapper's team and relatives have not publicly weighed in on the debate, leaving fans to decipher mixed messages. Werenoi's music videos were removed from YouTube, but the audio versions still remain available on the platform. A source close to the rapper told French newspaper Le Parisien that the videos had only been temporarily hidden to allow the family to grieve. Werenoi's producer later denied this claim. Rumours even said the artist's entire discography would soon disappear from all streaming platforms, but this has yet to happen. The teachings of Islam are up to interpretation. Many on social media argue that music is haram, meaning it is forbidden by Islamic law. Listening to Werenoi's music after his death would bring him sins in his grave. But the word 'music' does not actually appear in the Quran and many artists around the world are practising Muslims. 'The prohibition of music by some branches of Islam is not based on any consensus but rather on controversial interpretations of certain suras and hadiths [statements attributed to the prophet Muhammad]', musicologist Luis Velasco-Pufleau wrote in a 2017 blogpost. Fundamentalist Islamic movements like Salafism and Wahhabism strictly prohibit music while other traditions, like Sufism, are more lenient. There have been similar controversies in the past. The death in 2019 of British rapper Cadet, who converted to Islam at 15, also ignited online discussions on the future of his music - much to the dismay of some users. 'When anyone else passes away Muslims will send their condolences as normal... But when it's a Muslim [rapper] we go into theological debates about sharing his music etc', London-based imam Shabbir Hassan posted on X (then Twitter) at the time. 'Just take a lesson from his death and make du'a [a Muslim prayer] for him. That will benefit us/him the most.' For some, this question tends to be overly politicised. 'It's fascinating how cultural topics can raise this kind of political and religious debates,' streamer iliesomg said on decolonial YouTube channel Paroles d'honneur. He said that listening to Werenoi's music should be a personal decision for Muslim believers, guided by their own approach to spirituality. Numbers show that Werenoi's audience, Muslim or not, does not seem ready to let go of his art. Sales for his last album 'Diamant noir', released in April, rose by 72% in the week after his death, making it the most listened album in France.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Sir Stephen Fry turns on JK Rowling and claims she's been ‘radicalised'
Sir Stephen Fry has spoken out against Harry Potter author JK Rowling for being radicalised by TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists). The comedian and actor, 67, famously narrated the Harry Potter book series and in 2022 stood by Rowling despite her 'upsetting' views. Now, years on from this comment, Fry has seemingly had a change of heart as he criticised the author publicly in a live recording of the podcast The Show People in Clapham. '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,' he told host Andrew Keates at the live event attended by the MailOnline. 'It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her, I am afraid.' He added that she is a 'lost cause'. '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 Harry Potter author upset and angered many people as she celebrated the Supreme Court ruling on sex earlier this year in May. The writer posed with a cigarillo in her mouth and a drink in her hand on her yacht in the Caribbean Sea as she toasted the ruling: 'I love it when a plan comes together.' The ruling saw Lord Hodge say the term 'woman' in the Equality Act 2010 should be defined according to biological sex assigned at birth. That definition means trans people can now be blocked from accessing designated single-sex spaces. Fry suggested that her recent comments changed his previous stance: 'She started to make these peculiar statements and had very strong, difficult views. 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. 'She says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.' He emphatically stated that he was 'happy to go on the record' and say he was 'really angry' about her comments. He added that he was 'sorry because I always liked her company' and that he found her 'charming, funny, and interesting'. In 2022, Fry said on the Beeb Watch podcast: 'She is a friend of mine and I have trans friends and intersex friends who are deeply upset by her. 'That is a circle I have to square personally.' 'I know that JK Rowling doesn't want to see trans people bullied, alienated, shut out of society, made to feel ashamed, guilty, laughed at, all those things. He added that he wanted to stay firmly on the fence when it came to this debate. 'It is not an argument I want to get involved in because it is upsetting to both sides and I would wish them both to retreat and to consider that is possible for trans people to live full, accepted lives according to their terms in society, and for women to have all the rights and dignities they demand.' His recent comments show he is no longer comfortable sitting on the fence, and Fry isn't the only celebrity who has worked with Rowling and spoken out against her TERF views. In response to Rowling's initial comments about gender in 2020, Emma Watson shared her support for the transgender community. The actress who played Hermione in the Harry Potter series said on social media: '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. 'I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.' In 2020, Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the film series, commented: ' 'As someone who has been honoured to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment. 'Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I,' he said in the lengthy post. Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the film series, was criticised recently when he refused to take a stance on Rowling as he signed on to reprise his character in the Potter stage play The Cursed Child. More Trending When asked directly whether the controversy around JK Rowling's divisive position on the trans community had impacted his work with the franchise, Felton responded, 'I can't say it does, I'm not really that attuned to it.' He added: 'I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. She's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful.' Metro reached out to JK Rowling's representatives, who declined to comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Stephen Fry reveals why he put himself through 'agony' of Celebrity Traitors MORE: Harry Potter star's new TV show with trans icon is coming out imminently MORE: Harry Potter fans spot major casting problem – but there's a simple answer
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Now Stephen Fry turns on JK Rowling: Star who narrated Harry Potter books says the author has been 'radicalised by TERFs' and is 'a lost cause'
Harry Potter narrator Sir Stephen Fry has turned on JK Rowling, branding her a 'lost cause' and accusing her of being 'radicalised by TERFs'. The comedian and television presenter, who previously hosted QI, told how he used to have dinner regularly with the author and described her views towards the trans community as 'strange'. Recording podcast The Show People last week, Sir Stephen, who is himself gay, 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 not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. She seems to be a lost cause for us.' Sir Stephen recorded audio books for all seven of the Harry Potter series, but has now turned his back on the author, accusing her of 'mocking' LGBT + people and insisting he supports the trans community. He said: 'She started to make these peculiar statements and had very strong difficult views. 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. 'She says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people. 'She has crowed at the success of legislation in Scotland and elsewhere declaring things about gender. 'So I am very happy to go on the record to say that I am really angry about that. My view about all things of sharp and difficult nature is that is is much more important to be effective than to be right.' Sir Stephen, who has until now not spoken openly about the row, explained that he had previously got on well with the author. 'I am sorry because I always liked her company. I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now.' Sir Stephen has faced criticism from parts of the LGBT+ community for not being more vocal earlier on transgender issues. He notably called for both sides to stop fighting each other over trans rights in 2022, adding: 'There is no winner'. He told Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch podcast at the time that he refused to get involved in the debate: 'I definitely wouldn't because I am aware that you are talking about an issue where two sides are very sore and anxious about their enemies.' Addressing his friendship with JK Rowling, he said: 'She is a friend of mine and I have trans friends and intersex friends who are deeply upset by her. That is a circle I have to square personally', adding he did not plan to 'abandon' friendships. But three years later Sir Stephen has changed his stance and waded head-on into the bitter row. He called for peace and humanity amid the contentious debate over trans people's rights, while calling attention to the higher rates of mental health issues, self-harm and suicide that exist for them. He told the podcast: '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. 'The recent way the culture has gone against them means there is a great deal of bullying, violence and suicide and genuine pain and agony in the trans community. 'But to scream 'transphobe' at anybody who does not buy into every single aspect of that particular person's trans views is so self harming. It does not get the thing done. You have to let people love you.' One study in the UK found that some 34.4 percent of trans people in the UK had attempted suicide at least once. For the entire population, the figure is closer to six percent. The comedian is far from the only former Harry Potter star to speak out in criticism of JK Rowling's views on the subject. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who played the three central characters, have all previously come out and supported the trans community. By contrast Tom Felton, who played Harry's nemesis Draco Malfoy in the franchise, said he remains 'grateful' to Ms Rowling and her views on trans rights don't affect his work. He said: 'I'm not really that attuned. The only thing I always remind myself is that I've been lucky enough to travel the world. 'Here I am in New York. And I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter, and she's responsible for that. So I'm incredibly grateful.' Sir Stephen was speaking in the aftermath of a landmark Supreme Judgment ruling in April that determined that specifically within the terms of the equality act, 'woman' meant a biological female and not gender. Lord Hodge said the five Supreme Court justices had unanimously decided that 'the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a 'biological woman and biological sex '. The ruling was celebrated by women's rights activists including JK Rowling, but its opponents say they fear it could put trans and non-binary people at renewed risk of attacks and discrimination. Sir Stephen said he was sad to speak out against her, adding: 'I am sorry because I always liked her company. I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now' The judgement marks the culmination of a long-running legal battle between the Scottish government and a women's group over the definition of a 'woman' in Scottish legislation mandating 50 percent female representation on public boards. The case centred on whether somebody with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) recognising their gender as female should be treated as a woman under the 2010 Equality Act. Lord Hodge recognised 'the strength of feeling on both sides' and cautioned against seeing the judgement as 'a triumph for one side over another', stressing that the law still gives trans people protection against discrimination. In the judgement, Lord Hodge accepted the trans community are 'a vulnerable and often harassed minority' who have a right to protection from discrimination on the basis of their identity in place of their biological sex. LGBT+ charity Stonewall's chief executive Simon Blake said at the time: '[This ruling] will be incredibly worrying for the trans community and all of us who support them. 'It's important to be reminded the Court strongly and clearly re-affirmed the Equality Act protects all trans people against discrimination, based on gender reassignment, and will continue to do so. 'Once we read and fully digest the judgement, we will work with stakeholders across all sectors to provide as much clarity as possible.' In the aftermath of the judgement, despite warnings it should not be taken as a 'victory' for one side or another, JK Rowling again courted controversy by taking celebratory snaps with champagne and cigars on her multi-million mega-yacht.
