J.K. Rowling Hits Out at Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson Over Their Trans Rights Support: They Can ‘Save Their Apologies’

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday, April 10, the fantasy book series’ author — who haspreviously been criticizedfor anti-transgender comments, as well as hersupport for otherswith transphobic views — shared a recent independent review “of the medical evidence fortransitioning children.”

In a recent social media outburst, J.K. Rowling, the renowned author of the Harry Potter series, took a bold stance against actors Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, criticizing them for their support of transgender rights. Rowling’s remarks come in the wake of a landmark NHS study on gender-affirming care for British youth, which she referenced to express her strong opposition to the transitioning of minors.

Rowling’s comments, shared across various platforms, highlighted her frustration with what she perceives as celebrities cosying up to movements intent on eroding women’s rights. She specifically called out Radcliffe and Watson for using their platforms to support the transitioning of minors, suggesting they save their apologies for “traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single-sex spaces.”

This isn’t the first time Rowling has been vocal about her views on transgender issues. In 2020, she faced backlash for her comments on gender identity, which many perceived as transphobic. Despite the criticism, Rowling has maintained that she respects “every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them.”

Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have not directly responded to Rowling’s latest remarks. However, in the past, both actors have expressed support for transgender rights. Radcliffe penned a short essay for the Trevor Project in 2020, emphasizing his support for transgender women, while Watson affirmed her support for transgender people in a statement on social media.

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.

— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020

Rowling’s comments have sparked a significant amount of discussion and debate online, with some supporting her views and others expressing disappointment and disagreement. As the conversation around transgender rights continues, it’s clear that Rowling’s opinions on the matter remain a point of contention within the public discourse.

One follower responded to her on X, “Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology … safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them … ” (Neither Radcliffe, 34, nor Watson, 33, have spoken out about their views on medical transitioning of children.)

“Not safe, I’m afraid,” Rowling said. “Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.”

Reps for Radcliffe and Watson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Thursday, April 11.

LGBTQ advocates and multiple stars of Rowling’s movies quickly spoke out against her comments, withGLAADPresident and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis calling it a “misinformed and dangerous missive about transgender people” that “flies in the face of medical and psychological experts and devalues trans people accounts of their own lives.”

Following the publication of Rowling’s essay, Radcliffe — who played the titular boy wizard in all eight Harry Potter films adapted from Rowling’s books, from 2001 to 2011 — vocalized his support for trans women in a short essay for the Trevor Project.

Stating definitively in the article that “transgender women are women,” the Merrily We Roll Along actor added in part, “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.”

“I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men,” said Grint, 35, according to U.K.’sSunday Times. “We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”

The actor, who played Ron Weasley, later wrote a piece for The Times’ “What I’ve Learnt” series, revealing of his thoughts about “auntie” Rowling, “I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie. … It’s a tricky one.”