Harry Potter star Tom Felton is branded a ‘crawling little snake’ by trans rights activists after saying JK Rowling should be ‘celebrated’ for ‘bringing generations together’ as author faces ‘transphobia’ row
Harry Potter star Tom Felton has been trolled by trans rights activists after praising JK Rowling and saying her work should be celebrated.
The 35-year-old, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the wizarding series, said her creations had brought people and generations together.
But Ms Rowling is frequently attacked on Twitter over her views on women’s rights, which has seen some stars of the Potter films attack her opinions.
And today Mr Felton’s thoughts on the author saw him targeted with the same vitriolic abuse.
One trans rights activist said: ‘Oh so JK Rowling is the one being attacked and her attacking the trans community on a daily basis is conveniently ignored? F*** off. Tom Felton can f*** off as well, crawling little snake.’
Another declared: ‘The guy who played a bully and pretty damningly evil character is expected to convince us that the person who created his character and helped launch his fame is not on a hate tour against trans women (never mentioning trans men).’
The outburst was sparked by Mr Felton saying he would not shun or criticise her as others had, instead insisting he was grateful to her for her books earlier this week.
And he told Radio 4’s Today programme this morning: ‘I can’t speak for what other individuals have said. I am constantly reminded that the Potter-verse, certainly when we were finishing the films, there was an expectation that the fandom would be dwindling slowly over the years, whereas most fans that say hello to me, shout ‘Potter’ or ‘Draco’ at me weren’t even born when the books were being made.
‘I am quick to remind myself and others that Potter for some reason has brought more people together across the world and more generations than probably anything else has in the past 20 years and I’m quick to celebrate that.
‘It came from one person and that’s her so I’m very grateful.’
Harry Potter star Tom Felton, 35, today praised JK Rowling for her Harry Potter creation
Mr Felton said he did not feel the need to shun Ms Rowling over her views on women’s rights
The actor, who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the wizarding series, said he was grateful to her
Ms Rowling came under fire in early June 2020 over tweets she posted.
Referring to an article that referenced ‘people who menstruate’, the auther tweeted: ‘I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’
The stance prompted some Harry Potter stars such as Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe to speak out against her views.
Ms Watson made her remarks after Ms Rowling wrote an essay to address the controversy, revealing she was sexually assaulted in her 20s and still felt the scars of ‘domestic violence’ in her first marriage.
The actress said: ‘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.’
Ms Rowling ridiculed article which used the term ‘people who menstruate’ instead of women
Daniel Radcliffe slammed Harry Potter author JK Rowling over her comments online
Hogwarts alum: He starred as the titular wizard in all eight of the Harry Potter movies, originating the role at the age of 11 in 2000’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
She went on to say that she was proud to donate to charities such as Mermaids and Mama Cash before encouraging her fans to do the same.
Emma concluded: ‘Happy #Pride2020 Sending love x.’
Daniel Radcliffe also felt compelled to make a statement.
He insisted: ‘To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you.
‘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.
‘While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored 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.’