Stephen Fry<\/a> has branded JK Rowling a “lost cause” and fears she’s been “radicalised by TERFs”.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Sir Stephen Fry has branded his old friend JK Rowling a ‘lost cause’<\/p>\n
The 67-year-old comedian and author previously vowed not to “abandon” his friendship with the Harry Potter author – despite her controversial comments about the transgender community<\/p>\n
However, he is not afraid to call out her “inflammatory and contemptuous” behavior and admitted he believes she’s beyond help.<\/p>\n
Appearing on The Show People podcast, he said: \u201cShe has been radicalised I fear and it maybe she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her.”<\/p>\n
Fry added that Rowling had caused \u201ca hornet\u2019s nest of transphobia which has been entirely destructive.”<\/p>\n
\nHe continued: \u201cShe says things that are inflammatory and contemptuous, mocking and add to a terribly distressing time for trans people.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nFry narrated the Harry Potter audiobooks and also voiced Rowling’s The Ickabog story in 2020.<\/p>\n
\nA year later, he insisted: \u201cShe\u2019s a friend and will remain a friend.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nFry later called for calm in the debate over transgender issues, even though the author’s remarks upset some of his transgender friends.<\/p>\n
\nAsked if he wanted to take part in the debate, Stephen explained on the Beeb Watch podcast: “I wouldn\u2019t. I definitely wouldn\u2019t because I am aware that you are talking about an issue where two sides are very sore and anxious about their enemies.”<\/p>\n
\nThe actor admitted that he finds himself in an awkward situation, having friends on both sides of the debate.<\/p>\n
\nHe continued: “She is a friend of mine and I have trans friends and intersex friends who are deeply upset by her.<\/p>\n
\n“That is a circle I have to square personally.”<\/p>\n
\nStephen ultimately hopes to see an end to the arguing.<\/p>\n
\nThe V for Vendetta star – who married his husband Elliott Spencer in 2015 – explained: “I know that JK Rowling doesn\u2019t want to see trans people bullied, alienated, shut out of society, made to feel ashamed, guilty, laughed at, all those things.<\/p>\n
\n“But I also know that there are people who believe that safe feminine spaces and the idea of difference between sex and gender is very important, and that they repudiate with all their strength the Judith Butler \u2013 the idea of created gender and so on.<\/p>\n
\n“It is not an argument I want to get involved in because it is upsetting to both sides and I would wish them both to retreat and to consider that is possible for trans people to live full, accepted lives according to their terms in society, and for women to have all the rights and dignities they demand.<\/p>\n
\n“But it isn\u2019t possible if each side looks on the other as an enemy and the trans people just shout \u2018terf\u2019 and the feminists seem to, as it were, undermine the dignity and rights of the trans community, if I can use the word community – it is a bit of a greasy word, but there you go.”<\/p>\n
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