Stephen Fry called for the debate to be over between JK Rowling and the trans community (Picture: PA)
Stephen Fry dismissed the idea of abandoning his friendship with Harry Potter author JK Rowling despite her comments about the transgender community.
The 65-year-old broadcaster called for a ceasefire in the ‘debate’ over transgender issues, even though the author’s infamous comments have upset some of his transgender friends.
JK was first accused of being transphobic – which she has since denied – after sharing her feelings on an article that referenced ‘people who menstruate’ in 2020.
The famous writer has been locking horns in online debates on the issue ever since, with many of the original Harry Potter cast withdrawing their support for her in the process.
Recently asked during a podcast interview with Roger Bolton if he wanted to take part in the debate, Stephen explained: ‘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.’
JK sparked backlash in 2020 for her comments relating to transgender people (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
The pair’s friendship goes back decades and Stephen is not prepared to ‘abandon’ it (Picture: Justin Williams via Getty Images)
The actor went on to admit his awkward position as he has friends on both sides of the discussion.
He 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.’
Stephen, who narrated the Harry Potter audiobooks, revealed he ultimately hoped to see an end to the arguing and a calm to the aggressive debating he’s seen thus far.
Many of the Harry Potter cast have shared their feelings on the matter and condemned the author’s comments (Picture: WireImage)
The broadcaster admitted he was in an awkward postion with friends on both sides of the argument (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)
The V for Vendetta star and husband of comedian Elliott Spencer divulged: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Daniel Radcliffe, who brought JK’s famous Harry Potter to life, as the lead character, penned an open letter in support of the trans community apologising for the ‘pain’ caused by the author’s comments in 2020.
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MORE : Stephen Fry says his trans and intersex friends are ‘deeply upset’ by JK Rowling comments
‘It is upsetting to both sides.’
