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Harry Potter play’s Pride message does not go down well after JK Rowling trans comments-Mel Evans-Entertainment – Metro
The message has not gone down well.
JK Rowling’s play was accused of ‘not reading the room’ before the message (Picture: EPA)
After what some may label a cursed move, a couple of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter productions have been met with intense backlash after sharing a message in support of Pride Month.
The accounts for both the New York and San Francisco productions of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child wished fans a happy Pride Month this week, however the message backfired horrendously as punters brought up Rowling’s past comments on the trans community, after the author – who denies she is transphobic – criticised a 2020 article which referred to ‘people who menstruate’.
People were left in a tizz after the accounts for the productions wrote: ‘Happy Pride Month from everyone at #CursedChild!’ with the message shared alongside a stylised graphic showing the Progress Pride flag, on which there is a colour representing the trans community.
At the time of writing, the tweets still remain online, but only people followed by the accounts can reply – which merely encouraged people to quote-tweet their response instead.
Unsurprisingly many called out the move, with one writing: ‘Harry Potter and the Read The F**king Room’ while adding the companies should ‘publicly condemn JKR’s bigotry and donate to organisations actively supporting the lives of trans+ people’.
Riffing on the same sentiment, another added: ‘Harry Potter and the Audacity of This S**t,’ as well as ‘Harry Potter and the Lack of Situational Awareness’.
‘Well probably not *everyone*,’ another wrote, alongside one who added: ‘This is one of, if not the most insulting things I’ve ever seen.’
Actor Anthony Rapp was not impressed, claiming it was a performative move from the companies.
He wrote: ‘This tweet is the epitome of cowardice masquerading as allyship. The ultimate in virtue-signalling.
The UK production hasn’t shared any such messages (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images)
‘The folks producing this show have yet to openly condemn the monstrously damaging […] words and deeds of its playwright. Will they donate to and amplify trans rights orgs?’
This was supported by others, with one writing: ‘Also what proportion of your show’s revenue will you be giving to actually help LGBTQI people? Or are we just free advertising?’
For the past couple of years, Rowling has sparked controversy with her comments on the trans community, having criticised an article which referred to ‘people who menstruate’.
Taking issue with the phrasing, she wrote: ‘”People who menstruate”. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’
Her remark was immediately hit with criticism, with many branding the writer transphobic and explaining that it’s not just cis-gender women who menstruate.
While the writer denied that she is transphobic, she went on to fuel tensions with trans equality groups in April this year when she attended a lunch with women’s rights campaigners, with her company including Sex Matters co-founder Maya Forstater and Professor Kathleen Stock, who resigned from the University of Sussex amid a transphobia row.
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While Harry Potter stars, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, shared their support for the trans community after the comments, many have come to Rowling’s defence, with Countdown star Rachel Riley believing the attacks against Rowling stemmed from her support for Jewish people.
Speaking to the Sunday Times magazine of her philanthropy, she added: ‘She has made a real difference to the world. And [just saying] this will get us both cancelled.’
MORE : Antiques Roadshow viewers ‘astonished’ to see JK Rowling’s signed Harry Potter books worth £5,000
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Metro.co.uk celebrates 50 years of Pride
This year marks 50 years of Pride, so it seems only fitting that Metro.co.uk goes above and beyond in our ongoing LGBTQ+ support, through a wealth of content that not only celebrates all things Pride, but also share stories, take time to reflect and raises awareness for the community this Pride Month.
MORE: Find all of Metro.co.uk’s Pride coverage right here
And we’ve got some great names on board to help us, too. From a list of famous guest editors taking over the site for a week that includes Rob Rinder, Nicola Adams, Peter Tatchell, Kimberly Hart-Simpson, John Whaite, Anna Richardson and Dr Ranj, we’ll also have the likes Sir Ian McKellen and Drag Race stars The Vivienne, Lawrence Chaney and Tia Kofi offering their insights.
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