Emma Watson Subtly Nods to J.K. Rowling’s Transphobia at BAFTA Awards

While Harry Potter actress Emma Watson previously spoke out against the (continuous) transphobic comments from franchise author J.K. Rowling, she affirmed her support while presenting at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards.

Host Rebel Wilson introduced Watson with, “She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch.” When Watson took the mic, she wasted no time, emphasizing, “I’m here for all the witches, by the way,” which many interpreted as a jab at Rowling and a supportive, pro-trans statement.

Emma Watson is a queen for this pic.twitter.com/fng3dHsfYJ

— Joe???? (@JoePassmore) March 13, 2022

When Rowling first made it clear that she would be using her huge platform to spew TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) rhetoric and transphobic arguments back in 2020, Watson publicly responded.

“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” Watson tweeted in 2020.

Twitter users immediately responded to her BAFTA awards comment, with one user saying it was a “giant dig at JK and I love her for it.” Another user says they “live for Emma Watson throwing subtle shade at JK Rowling.”

Watson wasn’t the only one to reference J.K. Rowling that evening, though Wilson was a bit more direct. The BAFTA host and comedian, referencing her recent weight loss, addressed that she’s “looking different” and has undergone a “transformation,” before adding, “I hope J.K. Rowling still approves.”

Since the author first made her transphobic views known in 2020, she’s continually keyboard smashed on Twitter to discuss TERF talking points. Many have questioned why Rowling has the credibility to speak on these issues and harped on the harm she causes on her large platform, along with the potential to influence anti-trans policy in the U.K.

Just last week, she spoke out against the Gender Recognition Reform Bill in Scotland. The legislation plans to reform gender laws to make it easier for people to legally change gender, including the removal of requirements for gender dysphoria diagnosis and allowing trans folks to self-identify on legal documents.

Rowling first tweeted on March 5, referencing “multiple women’s groups” that have presented “well-sourced evidence” about the “likely” negative consequences of this legislation for (cis) women and girls, suggesting, alongside a string of later tweets, that allowing trans people to be affirmed in their correct gender will lead to increased sexual assault.

(Remember, this is the author who published a book about a man who wears dresses in order to kill women.)

She tweeted again on March 8, “Someone please send the Shadow Minister for Equalities a dictionary and a backbone. #HappyInternationalWomensDay” after Shadow Minister of Equalities Annaliese Dodds said there are open interpretations to the term “women.”

She just… keeps going: “Apparently, under a Labour government, today will become We Who Must Not Be Named Day.”

First Minister Sturgeon voiced that she “fundamentally disagreed” with Rowling’s criticisms of the legislation on BBC Radio 4, saying this is about a process for people to legally change their gender in a less traumatic and more humane way.

“It doesn’t give trans people any more rights, doesn’t give trans people one single additional right that they don’t have right now. Nor does it take away from women any of the current existing rights that women have under the Equalities Act,” Sturgeon says.

You’ll get lost on Rowling’s Twitter page trying to find posts about anything else because she’s relentlessly posted even more violent, anti-trans talking points in the days since.

Watson’s fellow cast members, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, also issued statements in June 2020 in support of the trans community following Rowling’s initial tirade.

Screenshot via Twitter