JK Rowling has slammed Doctor Who star David Tennant following his pro trans speech at an LGBT awards ceremony because he said trans critics were ‘whinging’.
After winning celebrity ally at the LGBT Awards for being one of ‘the community’s most fierce allies and supporters’, The Scottish actor was asked to relay a message to trans youth backstage.
During his interview the Timelord said trans youth should not feel unloved or not accepted as ‘most people in the world don’t really care’, later adding that opposers would ‘all go away soon’.
However Rowling has since criticised him, implying he had a lack of concern for women’s welfare suggesting the actor wanted ‘a lot of people to cease to exist’ following his comments.
In particular she appeared to imply Tennant had no concern for women who would like to opt for ‘female-only’ spaces in prisons, at work or in crisis centres.
JK Rowling has hit out at Doctor Who star David Tennant following his pro-trans speed at the LGBT Awards
Tenant encouraged young trans that they were accepted, adding that trans critics would ‘all go away soon’
During the interview, the 53-year-old actor said: ‘Everyone’s so self-obsessed that really, the sort of noise that comes from a certain area of the press and of the political class is… it’s a minority. It really is.
‘And please don’t let that make you feel diminished or dissuaded or discouraged, because, you know, you have to be allowed to be yourself, and you are, and you are yourself and you must thrive and flourish, and we’re all here for you.’
Tennant added: ‘It’s a tiny bunch of little whinging f****** [that] are on the wrong side of history and they’ll all go away soon.’
Rowling has since responded to his comment on X (formerly Twitter), writing: ‘This man is talking about rape survivors who want female-only care, the nurses currently suing their health trust for making them change in front of a man, girls and women losing sporting opportunities to males and female prisoners incarcerated with convicted sex offenders.’
In March 2023 a ban was put in place prohibiting some transgender women from female prisons came into force in England and Wales.
At the time Dominic Raab said the new measures would ‘improve safety’ for other women behind bars.
The row between the two prominent Scottish figures comes shortly after Tennant became embroiled in a row with various political figures following his speech at the LGBT awards.
She took to X formerly Twitter, suggesting the Timelord was not concerned about women’s welfare particularly women in prison
Rowling’s tweet comes shortly after political figures hit out at the Doctor Who star for his comments during a speech at the award show
The dispute arose after he suggested Women and Equalities minister – Kemi Badenoch – would ‘shut up’ during his acceptance speech at this year’s British LGBT Awards.
During an acceptance speech at the awards last week, Tennant said: ‘If I’m honest, I’m a little depressed by the fact that acknowledging that everyone has the right to be who they want to be and live their life how they want to live it as long as they’re not hurting anyone else should merit any kind of special award or special mention because it’s common sense, isn’t it?
‘It is human decency. We shouldn’t live in a world where that is worth remarking on.
‘However, until we wake up and Kemi Badenoch doesn’t exist any more – I don’t wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up – whilst we do live in this world, I am honoured to receive this.’
In their general election manifesto, the Tories have vowed to make clear that ‘sex means biological sex’ in the Equality Act.
Ms Badenoch has also previously backed a rewrite of the legislation after she asked Britain’s equalities watchdog for guidance on updating the Act.
Following the Timelord’s remarks, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Ms Badenoch among others have both been critical of his remarks.
In a tirade on X on Tuesday, Ms Badenoch, who is a Tory candidate at the general election, said: ‘I will not shut up.
‘I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls.
‘A rich, lefty, white male celebrity so blinded by ideology he can’t see the optics of attacking the only black woman in government by calling publicly for my existence to end.
During his speech for celebrity ally, he suggested Conservative Women and Equalities minister should ‘shut up’
In a stinging tirade on X on Tuesday, Ms Badenoch said: ‘I will not shut up. I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls’
David Tennant celebrating Pride month wearing a t-shirt that reads: ‘You will have to go through me’
‘Tennant is one of Labour’s celebrity supporters. This is an early example of what life will be like if they win.
‘Keir Starmer stood by while Rosie Duffield was hounded. He and his supporters will do the same with the country. Do not let the bigots and bullies win.’
The Home Secretary James Cleverly said: ‘I’m not sure David understands the irony of trying to silence the voice of the most senior black female politician in the UK’s history, in the name of “defending” a minority community.
‘But I hope he sees why this is wrong and apologises.’
Mr Sunak added: ‘Freedom of speech is the most powerful feature of our democracy.
‘If you’re calling for women to shut up and wishing they didn’t exist, you are the problem.’