Stephen Fry ‘won’t let down’ JK Rowling, although the author’s comments have ‘deeply upset’ his trans friends

Stephen Fry has said he doesn’t want to condemn JK Rowling for her views on transgender people, even though they make his friends “deeply upset”.

Ever since Rowling criticized an article for using the term “people who menstruate” in 2020, she has repeatedly been accused of transphobia. She has denied the allegations.

However, many stars of the Harry Potter films, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, have spoken out in support of the trans community following their statements.

Appears on Roger Bolton’s Beeb Watch Podcast on Friday (11/18), formerly QI Presenter Fry was asked if he had considered taking part in the “debate” over Rowling’s comments and the Harry Potter cast’s responses.

“I’m aware you’re talking about an issue where two sides are very angry and very concerned about their enemies,” he said. “I can not stand.”

Admitting his response was “cowardly,” he continued, “[Rowling’s] a friend of mine and I have trans and intersex friends who are very upset with her. That’s a circle I personally have to square. I will not let my friends down.”

Fry, who narrated the Harry Potter audiobooks, said he would “love to” see the argument end, adding that he didn’t think there could be a “winner”.

“I know JK Rowling doesn’t want trans people to be bullied, alienated, disfellowshipped, embarrassed, guilty, laughed at, all those things,” he said. “It’s not an argument I want to get into because it’s annoying for both parties.

“I want you both to stand back and consider that it is possible for trans people to live full, accepted lives on their terms in society and that women have all the rights and dignity they demand. But it doesn’t work if each side sees the other as an enemy.”

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Earlier this month, Radcliffe explained why he wrote his 2020 essay in support of trans people, in which he apologized for “the pain” caused by Rowling’s comments.

“The reason I felt like I had to say a lot, a lot when I did, was because, especially since I was done [the Potter franchise]I met so many queer and transgender kids and young people who identified very strongly with Potter,” Radcliffe said.

“When I saw them hurt that day, I thought I wanted them to know that not everyone in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important.”