J.K. Rowling claims David Tennant is part of the “Gender Taliban” for defending trans people

Doctor Who actor David Tennant is encountering backlash from prominent British politicians and J.K. Rowling after boldly suggesting that anti-trans lawmakers should consider leaving trans individuals alone.

The whole commotion began on June 24 when Tennant criticized Kemi Badenoch, the U.K. Minister for Women and Equalities, while accepting the Celebrity Ally award at the British LGBT Awards this year.

In his speech, Tennant emphasized the importance of celebrating Pride with his family, stating, “we have skin in the game,” alluding to his child who came out as trans.

Throughout the past year, the actor has worn a nonbinary pin at multiple media events, including the recent premiere of Mean Girls: The Musical in London’s West End.

Last summer, he gained attention for wearing a shirt that said “Leave trans kids alone, you absolute freaks” during a London press day for his Prime Video series Good Omens.

Whenever British trans rights discussions hit the news, J.K. Rowling inevitably steps out from her literal castle to share her thoughts.

Following a clip from the British LGBT Awards where Tennant called anti-trans advocates “a tiny bunch of little whinging fuckers who are on the wrong side of history” and predicted they would “all go away soon,” the Harry Potter author felt compelled to respond on X.

She contended that by criticizing transphobes, Tennant was targeting groups such as “rape survivors who want female-only care,” “girls and women losing sporting opportunities to males,” and “female prisoners incarcerated with convicted sex offenders.”

Rowling also posted an article on X suggesting that Tennant faced less criticism in the media than Badenoch because he's part of the “Gender Taliban” and “receives special dispensation, for they are a holy caste.”