Aimee Walker
Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch has doubled down on her defence of J. K. Rowling.
Lynch, 31, played Hogwarts student Luna Lovegood in the wizarding franchise, while also having starred in films such as My Name Is Emily.
Over the years, she’s openly discussed her friendship with the bestselling author and how they became pen pals while she was in hospital with an eating disorder before she was cast in Harry Potter.
During an appearance on Lorraine, she even said: “I felt that Harry Potter was the only thing that really took my mind off it and it was such a gift.”
Watch Evanna Lynch say she’d work with J. K. Rowling again below…
But in recent years, Rowling has faced a backlash – and those who’ve defended her have also come under scrutiny.
It all started in 2020 when Rowling retweeted an op-ed that discussed ‘people who menstruate’, as she appeared to take issue with the fact it didn’t say ‘women’.
She tweeted: “‘People who menstruate’.
“I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?
“Opinion: Creating a more equal [post-pandemic] world for people who menstruate.”
‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?
Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
Despite receiving criticism, Rowling refused to backtrack on her words and went on to say: “If s** isn’t real, there’s no same-s** attraction. If s** isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased.
“I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of s** removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
Rowling has continually spoken out about the issue throughout the years, regardless of the backlash.
Initially, Lynch joined her fellow co-stars, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, in calling out Rowling’s insensitivity.
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However, she’s now saying she wishes people would give the writer ‘more grace’.
Lynch tells The Telegraph that she was ‘very naive’ when she was ‘dragged into the conversation’ and that she had no idea there were ‘two sides’.
She goes on to say that she has a ‘great compassion for trans people’ but she has now become ‘braver’ when it comes to difficult topics.
“I just felt that her character has always been to advocate for the most vulnerable members of society. The problem is that there’s a disagreement over who’s the most vulnerable,” she explains.
“I do wish people would just give her more grace and listen to her.”
Related Article: Harry Potter Actress Evanna Lynch Had 9-Year Relationship With Her Co-Star
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Lynch isn’t the only Harry Potter star to have defended Rowling over the years.
Miriam Margoyles, who played the role of Professor Sprout, told the Radio Times that she’s avoiding discussing the author – but believes the backlash is ‘misplaced’.
The 81-year-old says: “We all know people who are slightly pansy or a bit butch or whatever you call it.
“But I think the vituperation that JK Rowling has received is misplaced.”
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