Boy George slams JK Rowling over trans rights dispute
– 1 min read
Boy George stood firm for trans rights during his appearance on Lorraine yesterday, when he addressed his escalating feud with Harry Potter author and Queen TERF JK Rowling. The Culture Club frontman delivered a pointed message live on air, calling Rowling “very disappointing” and mocking her with a sarcastic wave, saying, “I bet she’s watching now.”
The clash follows a heated exchange on X (formerly Twitter), where George previously labelled Rowling a “rich, bored bully” in response to her controversial views on trans issues. Rowling, who has long faced criticism for her stance on trans rights, recently reignited backlash by encouraging followers to photograph transgender women in public toilets and referring to critics as “backstabbing colleagues”.
On Lorraine, George remarked, “It’s hilarious that I’m having a row with someone I’ve never met and probably never will. In the movies, she creates this beautiful magical world, but in real life, she’s a muggle. It’s very disappointing.”
The singer, known for his outspoken support of LGBTQ+ rights, emphasised that the issue goes beyond celebrity feuds. “This isn’t about two famous people bickering online. It’s about real-life struggles,” he said, referencing friends with trans children and the challenges they face navigating support and acceptance.
Host Lorraine Kelly praised George for his advocacy, noting his long-standing support for marginalised communities. George reflected on his own childhood, saying, “When I was seven, it was obvious I was gay. Parents often know but stay silent, thinking it’ll go away.”
He also pushed back against the notion that parents influence their children to be trans. “It’s usually the child who shows the adult who they are. The idea that parents push kids to be trans is ridiculous.”
Rowling later responded to George’s comments, highlighting their differences: “You’re a man and I’m a woman. You’ve been wealthy and famous since your 20s. I didn’t become known until I was over 30.” She reiterated her belief in the importance of single-sex spaces, citing her own experiences with poverty and reliance on public services.
