‘Harry Potter’ Star Supports Trans Charities After JK Rowling’s Controversial Comments

J.K. Rowling has been trending on Twitter after some controversial tweets about transgender identity. Shortly after her posts, “Harry Potter” star Katie Leung encouraged fans to donate to trans charities.

“So, you want my thoughts on Cho Chang? Okay, here goes...(thread),” Leung’s first tweet reads. The actress played Cho Chang, one of Hogwarts’ few Asian characters and Harry Potter’s first kiss, in the second half of the franchise films.

However, her thread isn’t really about Cho Chang. Instead, it directs readers to various fundraisers to help transgender people as well as other resources. The first is a GoFundMe for black homeless trans women in Atlanta. The second is a Change.org petition for more legal protections for black trans women in the UK, and the third is a link to UK Black Pride. The fourth link directs readers to Vice for a list of resources to help the black trans community. She wrapped up the thread with the hashtag #AsiansForBlackLives.

The Scottish actress did not directly reference Rowling’s comments, but the implication is clear. The Harry Potter Alliance, which is not directly affiliated with the author, made a similar thread hours earlier after being disappointed with the tweets. They ended their thread with a guide for Potterheads who want to help the trans community.

As previously reported, Rowling came under fire after controversial tweets criticizing an article that used the term “people who menstruate” rather than simply saying women. Many pointed out that trans men, non-binary and gender-nonconforming people menstruate, and not all women have periods either, depending on their age, health and other factors.

Rowling doubled-down on her stance, claiming that some are trying to erase “the concept of sex.” Biological sex (meaning the reproductive organs one is born with) and gender identity (how one identifies themselves) are typically considered separate entities, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, but Rowling seems to conflate the two.

The author added that she supports the trans community and would march with them “if” there was discrimination against them.

She also equated those calling her a TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) with the same people who call her a “feminazi” and other sexist terms.

GLAAD called Rowling out, noting that there is “no excuse for targeting trans people.”

Rowling’s tweets came on June 6 in the first week of Pride month.