Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was called out after she mocked Doctor Who star David Tennant on X after anti-trans politician Kemi Badenoch was elected leader of the U.K.'s Conservative Party.
Tennant stirred controversy among Conservative politicians after receiving the British LGBT Award for Celebrity Ally in June, during which he expressed a wish that Badenoch would “shut up” and for a future where she “doesn’t exist.”
As the MP for North West Essex and a former minister for women and equalities, Badenoch has been an outspoken critic of identity politics and transgender rights. In 2021, leaked 2018 recordings published by Vice revealed Badenoch’s comments about “men using women’s bathrooms” and referring to trans women as “men.”
Badenoch has emerged as the new leader of the Conservative Party, with Saturday’s leadership election results showing her securing over 53,000 votes against her opponent Robert Jenrick’s 41,388. Her victory has been widely celebrated by her supporters, including Rowling, who is notoriously anti-trans.
Rowling directed the following message at Tennant following Badenoch's election:
"My thoughts and prayers are with David Tennant at this very difficult time."
You can see her post below.
But Tennant's fans were not having it.
Tennant has vocally criticized transphobes, particularly earlier this year when asked by a transgender fan about his personal views on sexuality and gender.
Speaking at the Proud Nerd: Angels, Demons and Doctors convention in Germany in the spring, Tennant addressed the fan’s question, and affirmed his steadfast commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, noting that the far-right and their supporters "create friction and conflict and division where it needn’t be."
Tennant also said his stance is rooted in his desire for individuals to be able to freely express themselves and know who they are, noting that "ways of expressing gender identity [and] sexuality are more nuanced than they once were."
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