David Tennant is a British actor known for appearing in stuff like Doctor Who, Good Omens and the Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter who's become best known in recent years for her anti-trans rhetoric. They're in a feud!
Kind of. The dust-up started earlier this year when Tennant accepted a Celebrity Ally award at the British LGBT Awards. During his acceptance speech, Tennant took aim at U.K. Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch, who "has said she would exclude trans women from single sex spaces," per Variety. “I suppose 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 or award or special mention because it’s common sense, isn’t it?” Tennant said. “It’s 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 anymore — 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."
Badenoch noticed that and called Tennant 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" on Twitter. "Tennant is one of Labour’s celebrity supporters. This is an early example of what life will be like if they win….Do not let the bigots and bullies win.” J.K. Rowling also noticed, sharing an article about the fight and suggesting that Tennant was being treated less harshly in the media Badenoch. Rowling wrote on Twitter/X that Tennant was part of the “Gender Taliban” and thus “receives special dispensation, for they are a holy caste.”
For the record, studies have found that the U.K. is one of the worst places in Europe to be trans. In any case, Tennant was also asked a question about anti-trans advocates on the red carpet at that awards ceremony. He responded: “ a tiny bunch of little whinging fuckers who are on the wrong side of history, and they’ll all go away soon.” Rowling shared that quote on her Twitter/X account, 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.”
That brings us up to the latest development, as Badenoch was named the new leader of the Tories, the conservative party in the UK. “My thoughts and prayers are with David Tennant at this very difficult time,” wrote J.K. Rowling on her Twitter/X profile, per The Guardian. Tennant has yet to respond, although he's never responded to any of these clapbacks so I don't expect him to start now.
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