Harry Potter and queer readers
The gist
British actor Paapa Essiedu, cast as Snape in HBO's Harry Potter series, won't discuss J.K. Rowling.
The author's views on gender have split the franchise's fans and its former stars.
How it unfolded
- 2020J.K. Rowling published an essay on sex and gender; she later said she still backs everything in it.
- Jun 2020Daniel Radcliffe wrote that "Transgender women are women," saying the contrary erases trans people's identity and dignity.
- Apr 16, 2025The U.K. Supreme Court held unanimously that the Equality Act's definition of a woman rests on biological sex; Rowling, who had funded the campaigners behind the case, cheered the result.
Key terms
- Olivier-winning
- Related to the Olivier Awards, annual London theatre honours named after actor Laurence Olivier.
- Emmy-nominated
- An American award honoring outstanding achievement in the television industry, comparable to the Oscars for film.
- Equality Act
- A UK law consolidating anti-discrimination protections across employment and services on protected characteristics.
Source: Wikipedia