The Politics of HollyWeird: Harry Potter Author Takes on the Trans Debate

(Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for for Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights)

Editor’s Note: Whether on display screen or off, Hollywood can at all times be counted on to maintain us entertained. This is particularly true on the subject of politics. Join us every week as we shine the highlight on Tinseltown’s A-listers and their whacky and typically inspiring takes on at present’s present occasions.

J.Okay. Rowling Fights Back

J.Okay. Rowling
(Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

The battle of phrases between the Twitterverse and writer J.Okay. Rowling continues. The creator of the Harry Potter sequence, lengthy thought of a progressive hero, isn’t too in style with transgender activists.

The writer has confronted criticism and the transphobic label since the summer time of 2020, when she had the audacity to posit that antidepressants have been being prescribed an excessive amount of to the youth and that gender reassignment surgical procedures shouldn’t be given to kids underneath 18. She backed up her suppositions with hyperlinks to articles supporting her claims, however that didn’t sit effectively with many who thought she was making enjoyable of these with anxiousness or despair and accused her of calling them “lazy” for taking medicines.

Rowling has persistently mentioned that she shouldn’t be towards trans individuals; she is for girls’s rights.  She tweeted final 12 months: “As I’ve said many times, transition may be the answer for some. For others, it won’t – witness the accounts of detransitioners. ‘The system sees surgery as the easy fix to girls who do not conform.’” The subject continues to be gaining so much of consideration and dialog a 12 months later.

According to the fantasy writer, she despatched out a request for drawings from kids through her Twitter account. Transgender activists then flooded this supposedly child-friendly thread with porn.  Commenters ignored the photographs and as an alternative centered on Rowling’s lack of response. On July 18, the Hogwart’s creator argued:

“I’m not sure how these tactics – using porn as a weapon against women you dislike, not caring that children get caught in the crossfire and then misrepresenting what really happened – are supposed to help trans people.

Nor do I see how what you’ve done here helps correct the impression that the end game for you & your ilk is to intimidate women out of speaking up for our own rights, no matter how low you have to go to do it.”

One of the commenters responded with: “I wish you a very nice pipebomb in the mailbox.”

Cheers And Jeers

Sometimes, HollyWeird gamers make headlines for foolish or weird happenings, so here’s a assortment of newsworthy doings — honorable and dishonorable — by the tenants of Tinseltown.

Britney Spears
Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)

Britney Spears Won’t Dance to Her Dad’s Tune

The pop star has had it with individuals controlling her life. Last week, Spears reached out to her Instagram followers with a stern message: “For those of you who choose to criticize my dancing videos. Look I’m not gonna be performing on any stages anytime soon with my dad handling what I wear, say, do, or think.” And then she received extra express: “If you don’t want to see my precious a–  dancing in my living room or it’s not up to your standards…go read a f—ing book.”

Hollywood: Must Get Vaccinated

Quick to leap on the “get vaccinated or else” bandwagon, Tinseltown’s unions and studio representatives have reached an settlement that enables productions to mandate vaccines for solid and crew. This is a revised plan from final 12 months, which now consists of the vaccination clause in addition to necessities for sporting masks, that may stay in impact till Oct. 1.

The Kennedy Center’s Newest Honorees

The Kennedy Center has introduced its forty fourth lifetime achievement award winners. This 12 months’s honors go to Bette Midler, Grammy winner singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, founder of the Motown document label Berry Gordy, and opera bass-baritone Justino Díaz. “This year’s Honorees represent the unifying power of the Arts and surely remind us of that which binds us together as human beings,” Kennedy Center president Deborah F. Ruttler mentioned in a press release. “These artists are equal parts genius, inspiration, and entertainment.” The forty fourth Kennedy Centers Honors will happen at the Kennedy Center Opera House on Dec. 5 throughout a gala occasion.

Weinstein Pleads Not Guilty

Former producer Harvey Weinstein pleaded not responsible on July 20 to 11 counts of rape and sexual assault after being extradited to Los Angeles, CA. Last 12 months, he was sentenced to serve 23 years in jail after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York.

Nielsen Ratings Accused of Discrimination

According to The Wrap, the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB) has requested the Media Ratings Council to droop Nielsen’s accreditation. VAB accuses Nielsen of “gross inaccuracies” and “flawed measurement.” More particularly, the group mentioned the ranking company “undercount and under-represent Black and Hispanic households, as well as the ‘younger adult segment.’” Nielsen admitted there have been some inaccurate measurements, however claimed that was as a result of the pandemic and that its brokers weren’t in a position to make home calls to observe up on the data.

Tune in subsequent week to see what else Tinseltown has deliberate.

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Read extra from Kelli Ballard.