Boy George mocks JK Rowling as 'a muggle' in latest fiery swipe after trans row
Boy George has issued a fiery response to JK Rowling after he called her a "rich bored bully" as their social media row over trans people continues to rage on
Boy George has labelled JK Rowling a "Muggle" amid a heated social media exchange about transgender people.
The Culture Club frontman has found himself embroiled in a spat with the Harry Potter writer on X, in light of her controversial views regarding the trans community.
The 64-year-old musician previously denounced Rowling as a "rich bored bully", eliciting a pointed response from the author: "There are many differences between us, George, but some are particularly relevant to this debate.
"1. You're a man and I'm a woman. 2. You've been wealthy and famous since your early 20s. I didn't become well known until I was well over 30."
She went on to talk about her stance on women's rights and continued to campaign for her desire against trans-spaces.
The altercation took a new turn when Boy George offered his candid thoughts during an appearance on Lorraine Kelly's ITV show, reports the Express.
Lorraine commended him, saying: "What I love about you over the years is you've always stood up for people who sometimes don't have a voice for themselves. As we know, people in the trans-community, it's been very tough for them. And you've actually said, no, this isn't fair. You've been good like that, and you've always been good like that."
Boy George responded by recounting his own experiences: "When I was a kid, when I was seven, it was obvious to everyone that I was gay. I didn't know what it was. And parents often know but they don't say anything, they think if they don't say anything it will go away. Usually with transkids, it's the kid that informs the adult through different behaviour."
Expanding on the topic, he said: "This idea that a parent pushes their kid to be trans is so ridiculous, I've got friends with kids who are trans and it's a nightmare. They struggle about 'Should I do the right thing or wait till the kid is 18 or 21?' all of that stuff is real life stuff, it's not two celebrities bickering on the internet."
After Lorraine referenced the numerous disputes Rowling has had online, Boy George quipped: "I think it's hilarious that you're having a row with someone I've never met and probably never will meet."
He went on: "In the movies she creates this beautiful, magical world and in real life she's a Muggle. It's very disappointing to find out that actually in a way it's not true."
During the conversation, Lorraine inquired: "Do you think we'll ever get to a place where I would love to be where it really, really doesn't matter and people just got on with their lives?"
Boy George responded: "I think for most people, it doesn't matter, it matters only whether you're a nice person or a horrible person, nobody chooses to be trans or gay, no one chooses to have blue eyes, it just happens!"
Reflecting on his feelings towards Rowling's artistic creations, he shared: "It's sad that somebody who is so creative... I love the movies, the movies are brilliant!"
Addressing Rowling directly through the camera, he cheekily remarked: "I bet she's watching now, morning! Get over it!"
Lorraine continued: "Having friends who are trans and going through a really tough time, it's just like, let's be fair about stuff, let's talk and we can all have our points of view but at the end of the day, we're all just people wandering through and trying to get on with our lives."
Rowling has been at the receiving end of widespread condemnation for her opinions, prompting some to propose boycotting the upcoming Harry Potter TV series as an act of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
Several original cast members, including Daniel Radcliffe, David Tennant, and Emma Watson have expressed their disagreement with Rowling's standpoint. Her views have amplified following the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.
Rowling has been involved in a series of debates on Twitter with various public figures regarding her stance, starting with her comments in 2020 on questioning the term "people who menstruate" used in an article instead of "women".
She then went on: "If sex isn't real, there's no same-sex attraction. If sex isn't real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth.
"The idea that women like me, who've been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they're vulnerable in the same way as women-i.e., to male violence-'hate' trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences-is a nonsense."
"I respect every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I'd march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it's hateful to say so."
However, several cast members of the Harry Potter series have come forward to express their disagreement with Rowling's stance, even as fans criticise her.
Radcliffe reacted by issuing a statement that read: "I feel compelled to say something at this moment. Transgender women are women. 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."
Further to that, he noted: "It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm."
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