In a bold statement, Pedro Pascal has publicly criticized J.K. Rowling for her controversial anti-transgender views, labeling her behavior as “heinous.” The “Last of Us” star's comments came in light of Rowling's reaction to the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, which declared that transgender women are not legally recognized as women.
Rowling's remarks celebrated the Supreme Court's decision, which has sparked outrage among many, including Pascal. He took to social media to express his discontent, commenting on an Instagram video where a creator referred to Rowling’s stance as “serious Voldemort villain s–t.” Pascal’s response was unequivocal: “Awful disgusting S–T is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior.”
Social media activist Tariq Ra’ouf also voiced his criticism, highlighting Rowling's apparent pride in the ruling that marginalizes transgender individuals. Ra’ouf stated, “She’s just so proud of the work that she’s been doing for the last couple of years to stoke hatred and fear into the general public about a very small minority population that’s already some of the most misunderstood people on the Earth.” He further called for a boycott of anything related to “Harry Potter,” urging followers to make sure that the franchise does not profit from Rowling's views.
Ra’ouf emphasized the importance of standing up for trans rights, declaring, “Trans rights are human rights. Trans women are women.” He concluded his message by encouraging fans to take action: “That awful disgusting s–t has consequences.” His passionate post resonated with many, as it has received over 33,000 likes and numerous supportive comments.
At 50 years old, Pascal has consistently shown his support for the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly following his sister, Lux Pascal, coming out as a trans woman in 2021. In a recent public appearance at the London premiere of “Thunderbolts,” Pascal donned a “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt designed by Conner Ives. This shirt aims to raise awareness about the growing anti-transgender sentiment faced by trans women globally. The term “Dolls” is affectionately used within the LGBTQIA+ community to refer to transgender women.
The UK Supreme Court made a landmark ruling last week, affirming that the terms “woman” and “sex” under the 2010 Equality Act refer specifically to biological women and biological sex. Justice Patrick Hodge clarified that while this ruling does not strip protections from trans people, it establishes that a transgender individual with documentation identifying them as female is not legally recognized as a woman for equality purposes.
Following the ruling, Rowling celebrated on social media, stating, “Think I might be having a cigar later.” She also remarked that the Supreme Court “upheld the rights of women and gay people today,” further igniting discussions around her controversial views and the implications of the ruling.
As the conversation around trans rights and the impact of public figures continues to evolve, both Pedro Pascal and Tariq Ra’ouf’s calls to action highlight the ongoing struggle for equality and understanding in the face of discrimination.
