As if we needed further proof that we’re living through the worst timeline, last week the UK’s Supreme Court rendered a f–ked up ruling on a case brought by a Scottish anti-trans group. The be-wigged judges unanimously decided that the term “sex,” as used in the Equality Act from 2010, was “binary” and meant gender at birth. The real world ramifications of this mean that countless British trans women have been stripped of their rights, not to mention their dignity. The British anti-trans campaign was supported publicly and financially by a wealthy English author, who boasted about the ruling in a cocky Twitter post. She put that up on social media, and social media is clapping back at her hateful views. Among those who’ve recently called her out is espresso junkie and fierce trans ally Pedro Pascal, everyone’s favorite Zaddy. And yeah, Pedro read her for filth, in under 10 words, in a comment on Instagram:
Pedro Pascal isn’t mincing words when it comes to his thoughts on J.K. Rowling’s support of an anti-transgender ruling in the U.K.
The Last of Us star, 50 — whose sister Lux Pascal, came out as transgender in 2021 — recently shared a comment under an Instagram video criticizing Rowling, 59, who celebrated the U.K. Supreme Court’s April 16 ruling that transgender women should not be recognized as women under Britain’s Equality Act.
In the Instagram video posted by activist Tariq Ra’ouf, he explained Rowling’s role in the ruling — as she financially backed the campaign group For Women Scotland, which brought the legal challenges to court — and called for a boycott of “Harry Potter-related” projects and experiences.
Ra’ouf also called out her recent post celebrating the ruling with a cigar and drink in hand on X, as she wrote: “I love it when a plan comes together. “SupremeCourt #WomensRights.”
In response, Pascal wrote under the video: “Awful disgusting SH– is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior.”
The actor, who has long been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and has publicly supported his sister Lux’s transition, doubled down on his support for the group attending the U.K. premiere of Marvel’s Thunderbolts* in London Tuesday, April 22 while wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with the message “PROTECT THE DOLLS.”
The T-Shirt is a part of a larger campaign by American designer Conner Ives. Ives, 28, designed the piece to call attention to the global anti-transgender sentiment that trans women are experiencing in several countries. “Dolls” is an affectionate term coined by the LGBTQ+ community to refer to transgender women.
Pascal frequently shows public support for Lux’s transition, and she has accompanied Pascal to several red carpet premieres. Lux is an actress and activist who graduated from The Juilliard School in New York City in 2023.
The U.K.’s recent ruling is a controversial one, as it allows for single-sex services to exclude transgender women. The U.K. government said the ruling brought “clarity and confidence” for women and service providers, per The Athletic.
I was so happy when Labour finally won a UK election, but Keir Starmer and his government can choke on a crumpet for commending this ruling’s “clarity and confidence.” May their cups of tea henceforth forever be oversteeped. And speaking of steeping, you really have to stoop to the lowest of humanity to provoke such a biting reaction from lovable, soft, endearing Pedro Pascal. He’s always been an ally, even recently responding to trolls on Instagram who wrote nasty comments to a pro-trans post of his. But in those cases, Pedro’s clapbacks were all sassy, sarcastically deflating the trolls with superbly deployed kiss and manicure emojis. So for Pedro to outright call Rowling a “heinous LOSER,” well that muggle better watch out, cause I feel like a hex from Pedro will stick.
Lastly, Pedro’s t-shirt game really has been on fire lately. He donned an “ADULT CONTENT” tee by late trans artist Pippa Garner at Jimmy Kimmel last month. And wearing “PROTECT THE DOLLS” in the UK right after this ruling is exactly the energy we all need to bring right now. More dolls, less trolls, please.
Photos credit: James Warren/Bang Showbiz/Avalon, Lounis Tiar/Avalon, Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon, Phil Lewis/Wenn/Avalon
I won’t get into how shocked and frustrated I am by this (biological sex is NOT binary FFS – even a crab museum is calling that out) so sticking to a lighter topic, his t-shirts are awesome.
I can highly recommend the Spark Company (UK based but I believe ship to the US) who do excellent slogan t-shirts and sweatshirts. I just ordered their ‘it’s sisterhood not cisterhood’ one so I can at least show my support for all the women affected when I’m out in public.
There are also many, many worthy organisations you can donate to. Nicola Coughlan recently spoke about Not a Phase and it’s super easy to make a donation on their website.
I love that we no longer naming that author. Pedro is such a bright light in these dark times.
Yep. A podcast I listen to started doing that about three or four years ago, and that’s exactly how I reference them in my head. Good on Pedro for his vocal support.
I’m seriously wondering if Harry Potter was ghostwritten. Boys are in the girls bathroom many times throughout the series.
Pedro on the right side of every issue I love him.
He’s not wrong.
I took all of our Harry Potter books and movies to a donation bin years ago. I know sometimes you have the separate the person from the creation, but in this instance she is so loud and so wrong. And the fact that she signed off on a miniseries to replace the movies because the original cast are allies? She’s the one inspired young readers to fight against prejudice, not that I’ll give her credit for that.
I didnt think it was possible but I love him even more.
Used to be a big fan of that series but boycotting her completely now.
Such a fan. We went to midnight book launches of the last two books and spent the entire weekend devouring them. This was in our 30s not college.
But I’ve mourned and let them go. I’m so sick of the rich and powerful using their platforms to hurt the most vulnerable.
That is such a disgusting thing to watch, women going after trans women like they are not also victims of this f*cked up patriarchal world. I was sexually harassed by a lot of men and zero of them was trans. That is true for most women. You don’t see them going after rapists getting away with merely a slap on the wrist, no, apparently trans women are more dangerous 🙄 Get ready now for articles of women getting harassed on public places because they don’t look feminine enough, so they must be trans. I feel so sorry for trans women, fearing men because they can hurt them for existing as trans and now fearing to share spaces with other women. She is a pathetic little woman and the proof that money can’t buy you happiness.
We could be here a long time if we get into the hypocrisy of “protecting women,” but the hostility to trans people is very much about keeping rigid gender roles that benefit cismen. (But then to go a step further, my husband and I are both the offspring of Boomer men who wanted the privilege with none of the responsibility so miss me with the “men just want to provide” crap).
There were already reports of cis women getting harassed in public restrooms because they didn’t look like a woman. There are more women who enjoy dressing tomboyish than trans women. It is so bizarre they can’t see that all they are doing is gonna make archaic gender roles more prominent.
Starting in the 70s it became completely normal for cis girls/women to dress in what I guess we’d call gender neutral looks, jeans, slacks, flat shoes, whatever. So many generations have grown up since then that we barely even think about that any more because it’s so normal.
My ultra conservative xtian MIL could be mistaken as a LGBT outside of her tiny farm community because modern day farm wife has a butch vibe to it (which is very practical for that lifestyle).
The gender binary is such BS and barely benefits anyone. Do cis men really want to work in coal mines to support huge families born of no birth control access? Die at 50 from black lung? Because that’s the future they’re fighting for, and I don’t get it.
Fully support Pedro and the trans community. Heinous loser trolls is spot on.
I just bought this t-shirt!!! Yayyy Pedro
I never read a single one of the books or saw the films…just not a genre that held any interest for me…but am glad to see any and all celebs who speak out against this bitter, twisted miserable awful witch…who can join the list of “big stars” lololol like Trump’s Hollywood “stars” Jon Voight, Stallone and whoever else from the below “D” list losers who are and will remain on the wrong side of history. I love it when the right tries to round up big stars only to realize they don’t really have any…which is why they are constantly having to use music from real stars who just as constantly berate or sue them for such use.
He’s absolutely right. Eff her.
I was on the little older side of YA when Harry Potter book series came out. But I am so glad I was. I never ever have spent a dime on Harry Potter books or movies. And I never will.
She is just an ugly person. That thinks she is the hero of the story. But every villain does, I guess.
Who IRONICALLY used initials instead of her real name. Joanne Rowling. The K was added for her grandmother Kathleen. So, it would fool people into thinking she was a male author. To sell more books. As the target audience was boys.
I guess using genders for profit is OK for Joanne.
She is another hypocrite and trash.
We must protect Pedro at all costs!!
It is truly disappointing that the one area that all British political parties trading power seem to agree on is that invalidity trans rights is acceptable.
They may be liberal but it has been clear since Jeremy Corbyn that a lot of the party has some really regressive views around equality and minority groups and what’s “popular” to back.
The problem is that Starmer is spineless. I think this verdict was indeed a relief for him, because now he can say “the court said so”, he doesn’t have to say “I think so”.
The leader of the Tories accused him in the parliament debate that he lacks, err, male parts, and while she was incorrect in the why, she wasn’t wrong about his character.
If sex is binary, as an intersex person I am just a figment of your imagination.
I’m sure glad I never gave a f about Harry Potter so I don’t feel sad having to abandon any HP related content.
It’s bizarre how hard JKR goes for bigotry.
Please treat anything linked to this transphobe like you would a Tesla. Do not watch the remake.
Just as an aside the female Voldemort went after asexual people online a couple weeks ago too. She’s expanding her bigotry.
What the hell is her problem??? Why would someone with so much money go after vulnerable people like this?? I will never understand it.
She can f*ck herself.
That said, her books have always been problematic. Not just the Jewish-coded bankers, but the Irish-coded Weasleys (poor, too many children, ginger) and some of the other character names. I mean, Cho Chang for the Asian girl — really?
I have one friend who is a diehard HP fan regardless of whatever JKR does. I don’t feel like there’s much point in trying to talk her out of it–she’s on the LBGT spectrum, she should know better, but clearly she hasn’t been dissuaded in wanting the fandom. However, she still gifts me HP merchandise and did so for my birthday. I’m thinking, “Thanks for the Hufflepuff skirt, but there is no way I can wear this in public and embarrass myself.” Unless I cover up the branding with something else, anyway. I’ll probably just quietly donate to Goodwill, I guess.
Is it possible to love Pedro even more?!? He’s a brilliant bright light in this messed-up world.
For years, I gave her a break and thought: “she must’ve had a breakdown. There must be some trauma! She’s gone nuts! etc,”
but the years have gone by and she’s doubled down and I finally had to admit to myself that someone I thought was cool and inspirational and who created a great story + world that I loved is not “crazy,” but
is simply just a sh*t.
She’s always had a mean streak, and it could be seen sometimes in her responses to fans while she was still writing the series. Add to that the racist stuff in the books (I mean, the goblins are obvious Jewish caricatures), and I’m not surprised. She’s just always been a sh*t.
Is JK so LACK of self-confidence as a WOMAN that she has to attack Trans people and chose to use a MALE author name when she (first) wrote a novel that was not HPs? And she wearing a feminine dress while having a drink & cigar (like typical man’s stereotype behavior) was showing that she is not well mentally. However, I feel no sympathy for her because she is such a sh1tty person.
All this is about is saying that women full stop must be “feminine” in the eyes of men. F Rowling and yeah to Pedro!
Starmer is a coward who is currently making sure that the UK won’t get another Labour government anytime soon after his own. True buffoon.
Every person on here would love to be friends with Pedro, amirite? Can you imagine having him despise you? I’d be rethinking all my life choices if I pissed Pedro off.
A political party here in New Zealand has followed suit and announced a bill for the exact same thing. It’s so embarrassing and heartbreaking.
Pedro is simply a fantastic ally. Lux is incredibly stunning!