In a revealing essay, acclaimed author JK Rowling disclosed that her loved ones "begged" her to keep her controversial views on trans women private.
Rowling's outspoken stance, claiming trans women are not women, has drawn sharp criticism globally, including from Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, both vocal supporters of the LGBTQI+ community.
In "The Women Who Wouldn't Say Wheesht," a new book of essays published in The Times, Rowling explains her decision to speak out despite pleas for silence.
"People around me, including some I love, were begging me not to speak," she wrote.
Despite feeling "guilt" for her silence, she eventually made her views public in December 2019, supporting Maya Forstater, who was dismissed from her job for questioning gender identity policies.
The backlash was immediate and intense, with many fans distancing themselves from the beloved author.
Earlier this year, Rowling responded to criticisms from her followers and reiterated her stance, stating, "Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights... can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces."
Daniel Radcliffe, reflecting on Rowling's views, expressed his sadness over the impact on their long friendship, noting the empathy in her books and their past interactions.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Rowling remains unwavering in her beliefs, emphasizing her commitment to defending women's rights.
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