Social Media Reacts to ‘Harry Potter’ Star John Lithgow Rejecting J.K. Rowling Backlash
John Lithgow has responded to backlash surrounding his decision to take the role of Albus Dumbledore for Max’s new Harry Potter series, despite the widespread furor over J.K. Rowling‘s controversial views on transgender women, and his words are only earning more ire for the actor.
Lithgow is one of several notable actors tapped to appear in the new show, which will premiere in 2026 with a first season focused on the events of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. He has so far been the most outspoken about the role, and his words are drawing intense scrutiny.
Earlier this month, Lithgow responded to backlash about his casting, but his words were more focused on the fact that he’s an American and not a British actor, rather than the issue of Rowling’s continued involvement as executive producer on the show. “I will be following the great Michael Gambon,” he said on the BBC’s The One Show. “I’m not an Englishman, although I’ve played one on TV. I remind everyone that I did play Winston Churchill on The Crown and did just fine.”
However, in a new interview with The Times U.K., which was published Sunday (April 27), he was directly asked about the issue of Rowling’s anti-trans positions, and he admitted he’d been confronted about it by “a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child,” who texted him a link to the BookRiot op-ed An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away From Harry Potter. “That was the canary in the coal mine,” he told the publication.
Lithgow went on to tell The Times that his reaction to the controversy Rowling courts was, “I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’ I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it. I suppose at a certain point, I’ll meet her, and I’m curious to talk to her.'” As for whether the backlash changed his mind at all about playing the headmaster for Harry Potter, he said, “Oh heavens no.”
Lithgow also compared his decision to join the Harry Potter series despite the backlash to what he’s done in the theater, playing Roald Dahl, who was antisemitic. “No one complained when I agreed to play Dahl, but I’ve received so many messages about Rowling. Isn’t that odd?” the actor said in the interview.
Reactions to Lithgow’s words began to percolate on social media, and many users were highly unimpressed with his logic.
“Didn’t take John Lithgow for a prick,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote simply in response to a snippet of Lithgow’s interview. “When I say that cis people simply don’t care enough about trans people, as human beings, John Lithgow here is a prime example of what I am talking about. That he absolutely didn’t expect backlash for taking the role shows that he simply doesn’t care about trans people either way,” wrote another.
One user predicted that Lithgow’s involvement with the Harry Potter show could tarnish his professional reputation, which just enjoyed another boost thanks to the awards season attention to Conclave: “John Lithgow, coming off a popular award winning film, getting ready to do the last role of his career by tarnishing his reputation to be in a mid remake TV series produced by a psycho for a paycheck he won’t live to fully enjoy anyway.”
Meanwhile, another was particularly disturbed by the fact that Lithgow’s unnamed friend’s message didn’t change his mind, writing, “to not even be moved when a close friend tells you how they and their child will be personally hurt by this… really sick sh**.”
Some users actively called for a reactionary boycott of Lithgow’s other work. For example, one user wrote, “John Lithgow isn’t that stupid or out of touch, he knows exactly what he is doing, his first and only concern was for Rowling. I urge people to cancel and shun him, including everything and everyone he is associated with.”
Harry Potter, 2026, Max
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People want more HP, but don't want the author's name associated with it. It's her IP. If she wasn't an EP, it's still her IP. She wrote every page of every book. If you don't like her views, then don't read HP, don't watch HP and don't play HP video games. I think many will tune in to watch the HP series, at least the first few episodes, including many who are complaining. It may or may not be a hit. However, I think Lithgow will likely get good reviews... he's ikely Emmy gold... but, if the show fails to win over viewers, it won't tarnish his career, nor should it. He's an actor and it's a job. I was shocked by some of her comments, but that's not on Lithgow.
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Yes, JK wrote Harry Potter. Yes, it is her IP.
But you can separate the art from the artist. People don't have to stop enjoying a story they grew up with just because the author became transphobic, bitter, and a disappointment to many.
People can love the story, AND not want to support her.
I'm not saying that Lithgow should be cancelled or attacked, but I do think he needs to be aware of what he is stepping into, the woman he's working with, and the reputation she now has.
Over the years JK has tanked her reputation, and continues to do so by becoming vengeful against the people who dedicated their childhood to make her works come to life.
She views the Golden trio speaking out against her transphobic comments as a personal betrayal.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint weren't told about the making of the show. They found out when the public did.
As put by an insider
"Jo adores the magical world she created and can’t wait to bring it to life again with young, fresh talent. This is her chance to move on from all the vitriol she has endured at the hands of those she made famous and start again with a new set of faces. In many ways, it is her ultimate revenge for their betrayal.
She's treats the people who gave their childhood making her story come to life like this.
This is the woman Lithgow is working for. That is his choice. He is allowed to do this and I don't think he should be cancelled for it. He should just be more aware of the nuance of the situation.
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I fail to see how you can have it both ways... enjoy the series but ALSO not supporting her? She makes most of her money not from the profits of the end result but from the paycheck she gets for allowing it to be used. The moment HBO paid her to use the HPIP, she has already been supported. Enjoying the art IS support for her because it encourages HBo and more companies to pay her for the use of HPIP in the first place.
Unless you plan to somehow pirate it from an alternative future where it was made while also preventing it from being made in this one somehow...
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I understand the confusion.
There are plenty of people who already own the movies, books, or games and enjoy them. But don't agree with JK don't want to support her, so they don't purchase anymore HP stuff, or thrift/buy pre-owned stuff so that they aren't supporting her.
It all comes down to people's individual values.
Bringing it back to the article, I don't believe Lithgow deserves to be cancelled, though I do think he should be aware of who he is working from/associating himself with, and the harmful effects/reputation she has.
This is a very big opportunity and I can see why he would jump on it.
And he might want to handle the press a bit more delicately/be more aware of how he says things.
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Exactly. I find it disturbing that they're so vague with how it'll harm trans, yet so deliberate in their threats against him. Like, what, one specific man playing a role in a TV show will harm trans people... how, exactly? I get that Rowling is anti-trans, but the mere fact that it's being made and it will be used to make money means she will benefit regardless. His choice to play in it has absolutely no bearing on the end result and if/how/when it harms trans!
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Ok let's be specific on how it hurts trans people. She uses her money from the proceeds of HP to actively lobby for anti trans laws and donates copious amounts to anti trans groups. I'm not saying anything against Lithgow. Honestly as a trans woman I plan on watching the show but it's not vague. She is very open about hating us and very open about using her money to make sure we are harmed. Now having said that so do a lot of people. In response to a Lithgow's comment regarding playing Dahl; that was in 2024 Dahl died in 1990. Dahl was not getting money he'd actively use to harm others. Rowling is. Again not speaking out against him doing the role just saying it's not a comparable situation.
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Do you have any actual proof JKR donates to anti-trans groups or funds any kind of anti-trans movements? As far as I know she isn't "against" anyone. All she stated was her belief that men are male and women are female and one can't physically be the other and there isn't anything false about that. Stop making an issue out of something that doesn't really effect anyone or anything. It's just an opinion.
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How about donating £70k to a feminist group that took a case all the way to the UK's highest court and successfully got that court to declare that anybody who is born a man cannot be called a woman, not even after surgery and hormone replacement so the only way to identify them as male is by taking a blood sample and identifying the Y chromosome if you don't have access to their original birth papers? Does that count as "donating to an anti-trans organization"?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/jk-rowling-donates-70k-challenge-183123131.html
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Have you looked? Kept up with the issue or post bull when you see an article on the subject?
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Of course you do get it. That's the point. It's been explained many times.
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The trans movement is all about pretending. Whether it's pretending to be the opposite sex, or pretending that some guy taking a role in a TV show harms an entire subsection of people? That's all details.
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This doesn't change my opinion on Mr.Lithgow 1 iota he has been entertaining me for as long as I can remember. I'm glad he isn't allowing these threats to dissuade him from doing what he does best.
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First off-- if you ask an irrelevant question then you get an irrelevant answer. Why was wanting to know about anything other than his role in the HP franchise even being asked?
Uh. Maybe to push an agenda? And when he didn't answer the way you wanted you throw a hissy fit
Second--J.K. Rowling doesn't think underage children who still believe in Santa Claus are able to make a mature and rational decision about whether they should change their body surgically and take medications for the rest of their life. She's not transphobic, she thinks kids aren't mentally and emotionally mature enough to make that decision at such a young age. It isn't a phobia just because you disagree with something. It's called thinking for your self. Was the first Trans person a heterophobic?
It's crazy how the LGTBQ-LMNOP community complains about bullying and mistreatment, but if anybody has a different opinion and voices it, you are basically black balled and people try and get other people to boycott your life's work, etc.
Agree to disagree and keep it moving.
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100%
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So sick of the need for validation in todays society. Rowlings has a right to her beliefs as anyone else. And HER beliefs have no bearing on Lithgows or his portrayal of a beloved character OR your right to live your life as you please. Grow up people, its not all about you.
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ok, now everyone go pester the OTHER actors on the show who accepted their roles. go on, it's only fair, or is lithgow only being targeted because he's american and those are unpopular at the moment.
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It's precisely because he's American and her saying "I dislike [topic]" equates to "SHE'S DELINERATELY HURTING US!!!" Like, I've yet to see specific acts she took to harm or strip rights of trans. She from what I've seen, she just said she didn't support them basically.
But she's always been hated for one reason or another. I remember growing up, it was a big thing that she was Satanist (no clue if it's true or not) or Wiccan (a little easier to believe).
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https://glaad.org/gap/jk-rowling/ not that you actually care or admit things are harmful. And she's not wiccan or Satanist they was conservative Christians saying that because the books or about witches so they say they're evil. She's identifies as a Christian and is part of the Church of Scotland
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Your argument is basically she disagreed with me so im harmed...
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No, the harm comes from JK actively spending time and money to negatively impact the lives of trans people because see believes they are a threat which is simply not true.
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She did donate £70,000 to towards the UK Supreme Court appeal over the definition of a woman. The recent ruling says it is keeping legal protections for transgender people in place. But it does impact the rights that trans people had up to that point. And the changes it made to the Equality Act of 2010 make that a logistical nightmare for the rights of trans people. She spent years of her life working on this with the intention of impacting trans people. Because she believes that trans women are a threat to women.
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Many actors have been. Nick Frost shut off comments on his announcement about getting Hagrid
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People don’t get to tell you what to do John. Take the role and ignore social media. Don’t pass up the opportunity of a lifetime. The only one who’s opinion should matter to you is God’s, who is perfect. All these other people throwing profanities at you and threatening you can do what they like but do NOT let them control you. They’ll be upset regardless of what you do or don’t do, but if YOU want to do it, then you should. Just ignore what the haters say after.
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God mat be perfect but I don’t think he has shared his opinion yet on X.
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Atheist here, but yes. The only thing that matters is what is objectively right. And in a matter of opinion, there is no objectively right. Him taking the role or not isn't gonna make a lick of difference in the grand scheme of things for Rowling or her anti-trans opinions.
But bowing to social media pressure is usually not the way to go. They're the loud ones that don't have the money to actually make much difference to whatever they hate.
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Is that right? You say there is no objective right in opinions, so your opinion can't be right.
Always interesting how people who believe in nothing waste their time on silly stuff. Like, if this is it, nothing you ever do and no one you ever care about matters.
Ever.
And neither will any opinion you ever have. Remember, you just said so.
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I think that it's indicative of the unreasonable nature of their complaints and is a perfect example of why the support that they ( the trans contingent) crave is so hard to come by. They get written off as being childish and reactive and, dare I say , even ridiculous. If you choose your battles with more thought you will find thoughtful allies.
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whyyyyyy does every single piece of ENTERTAINMENT have to be politically motivated???? grow UP!!!!
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Lithgow knows he has nothing to worry about. The pro trans boycott types are an online only force and much smaller than they even realize. Look how much effort they put in to the Hogwarts Legacy boycott. They even pressured reviewers not to review the game or twitch streamers not to play it. How did that turn out? Nothing. It did absolutely nothing to hurt the game. Hogwarts Legacy was a massive hit and I'm very sure the show will do extremely well.
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Cancel Culture is for losers. Were all allowed to have our opinions. You're right it's a small group. Small group of weak cry babies.
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He played a trans character opposite Robin Williams in The World According to Garp.
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Ssssshhhh. Don't try to make sense. That scares them.
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And he was great in that part!
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That's one of the first movie roles I remember seeing him in and he was amazing in it.
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OMG I forgot about that!
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I dont get it. How does an actor doing a job effect trans people. Just because its JK doesn't mean its his views. The fact that crybabies are upset because he's taking on the role is ridiculous. If something like this upset you go to Therapy!
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It's always lovely to see the trans community get up in arms because they dont understand reality
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My favorite thing is biological men saying the most hateful and hateful things about a biological woman. A woman who was a victim of sexual abuse, by the way. And supposed progressive people accept and endorse this activity with glee. It's just misogyny in a liberal package. Women are the most oppressed group in human history. Congratulations on making hating women the social norm.
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History repeats coming out of left field there with some completely unrelated b.s. Hahahaha.
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Why should he give up a roll because whiners don't like the author.No way he should let unknown people control his life. Idiots. People are so entitled and think they're views should control everyone. It's not your damn life.
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I like him even more now.
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The same old bullying tactics. The trans cult really need to learn a new song.
Best wishes to Lithgow and Rowling. I will definitely be tuning in.
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Condemning Lithgow for playing Dumbledore is tantamount to condemning Sir Alec Guinness or Ian McKellen for playing Hitler (Hitler: The Last Ten Days & Countdown to War, respectively). Both played arguably the most despicable man in history and are highly respected because or in spite of it). Additionally, Harvey Weinstein’s misogyny and predatory behavior was well known in Hollywood long before Benedict Cumberbatch played Edison in Weinstein’s The Current War, yet Cumberbatch is still sought after. These condemn Rowling rants are tired and pathetic. Publicly trans people are courageous by nature. To treat them with kid gloves for one author’s opinion does them a disservice.
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lol. Typical liberal spin casually inserted into an article that pretends to be unbiased. JK is not “anti-trans” just because she said that she believes that the female experience is unique to biological women and cannot be inherited by a “trans” person. Also, it’s not controversial to believe it’s not right to allow minor children to permanently alter their bodies. 60%+ of the country thinks thinks that. So. Let’s stop pretending JK is controversial with anyone other than the entitled, obnoxiously loud left who keep trying to force their niche mentality on the rest of us.
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Guess I will be watching as much of his stuff as I can. People are entitled to opinions and not everyone is going to like them. Grow up and get over it.
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If he truly didn't know about Rowling's transphobic crusade, then he should fire his PR team. Their whole job is to make him aware of things like this. I suspect he knew exactly what he was signing on to and definitely accepts, or possibly agrees with Rowling
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Ugh, so sick of the constant liberal whining about everything.
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"Including everything and everyone associated with him."
Get the absolute f**k out of here.
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It is laughable that this person thinks that they can affect Mr. Lithgows career in any shape or form. That person is behaving like a child and are throwing a adult sized tantrum.
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I am gay and liberal and I think sometimes the trans community needs to pick their battles. The cast of this show is not the same as Rowling. This is a big project and she owns it. I rewatch the Harry Potter movies every year. It's one of the few things I have in life that I enjoy. I know the writer is a b towards trans people but that's one person in this project. Leave everyone else alone. Lithglow didn't defend himself well but you know what, he's not a politician. He's just a man who wants to act. He doesn't know the right thing to say. It's a tough question to answer. Even as a gay man, if I were cast in this movie, I wouldn't know how to answer it. The trans community is also a big reason why Trump won. The rest of America hates us collectively and this is why. We can't just hate Rowling we have to go after the entire cast? Come on now. This is why we lost. Foaming at the mouth for what?
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These people are so self-focused that they think Rowling (and, now, even John Lithgow) is somehow trying to personally destroy their lives. And when someone doesn't give in to their demands, they scream 'boycott!'
I also think that a lot of the outrage is absolutely faked by grifters and even bigger, attention-seeking weirdos.
Stop paying these people attention, and let them scream into the void, please.
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So over all the whining and complaining and victim mentality of these people. They need to stay in their lane and stop harassing anyone that doesn't coddle them.
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I am an advocate for the LGBQ TRANS community. Always have been. But there will always be ignorant comments being said about your community, someone else’s race, weight or religion. You cannot expect people to risk their career for a rude comment. Unfortunately people are allowed to have their opinions, good or bad, I don’t agree with her opinion just her right to have one. John Lithgow taking this job doesn’t mean that he agrees with her opinion either.
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I just do not see how his accepting the role in Harry Potter is somehow promoting Rawlings' anti-trans views.
He has portrayed trans characters, so obviously he does not hold her ant-trans views. The best way to show that you do not agree with her views is to write directly to her, include any of your trans friends in your circle, and use your voice to support the rights of trans, LGBT people and all people. These groups of people are in very trying times in this Republican led agenda, we must be vigilant.
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It's a paycheck for him. It's easy to hurt minorities when youre getting paid big bucks.
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It's called the question was irrelevant and not about the HP franchise.
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The truth is that unfortunately in this world there's parents that are More mess up in their minds than their own children. There is only two genders, GOD created Male and Female, if you think that you or your children's are something else you are in the wrong you need to be checked in to an asylum, you are not well in your head. I am sorry if I ruffle some feathers but the truth is that there's a lot of people out there they have psychological issues. And trying to put dirt into somebody else's doesn't matter if it's an actor or a regular person to make yourself feel good it's not the way, check yourself in the mirror first before you talk bad about other people. Everyone has the right to have the own opinion, but when it comes to genders there's only 2.
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All of this fervor and hatred to protect a tiny group of delusional men who want to wear dresses and be applauded for their braveness. The rest of us have lives to be getting along with. Let them do and think what they want, and provide the same courtesy in return.
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There is no such thing as cis people, so for those of you who call us cis, in my eyes that's like me calling someone who's gay a fa^^ot, or calling a trans person a tra^^y.
You don't like someone because they believe something you don't or have an opinion on something that's different than yours, get over yourself. They can hate and cancel you for just the same opposite opinion that you yourself are all up in arms about, but they could care less, so do everyone a favor and just shut the ^^^^ up and get on with your life. Trying to cancel someone because they have different opinions or beliefs than you is so stupid!
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If only her views were as open as her world building. IMHO someone in the trans world hurt her and she is unable to let go of the trauma. She needs to heal like Moaning Myrtle.
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He's an actor taking a job that's all there is to it. I'm sure the people that are complaining about him wouldn't want someone telling them what job they could take.... It's a job plain and simple leave the man alone!
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Good for him! Why the hell should he care about what other people do in their lives? Live and let live seems to only go one way with certain groups of people. Unfortunately
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What a bunch of snowflakes.
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Doubt I will watch the reboot, but did love how this little article guides you to conclusions without stating it, nicely manipulated 🤣.
Seriously, the more I read, the more I see a bunch of sheep easily swayed by the media.
One of these days, a decade maybe 2 down the road, we will realize how dumb us millenials, gen xers, and boomers effed up.
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Why is no one mentioning that he played a transsexual way back in the 80s in the world according to Garp movie?
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Apparently no one remembers that he played a trans woman in The World According to Garp. Maybe he even forgot.
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Exactly. They use the term cis as a slur and say it with contempt while pretending there's nothing wrong with it if you call them out. I'm sick of the double standard that allows these unhinged people to say and do whatever they want but then my speech is absolutely curtailed to protect them.
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The world should grind to a halt and operate only with the permission of these psychos, didn't you know?
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Isn't it about time to divorce yourselves from the Ts and all the other letters that follow in your alphabet soup community? After all the progress that the LGBs made, you guys let a bunch of absolutely mentally ill people latch onto your ship and commandeer it and then immediately plow it right into the iceberg and now you're sinking along with them. Haven't they done enough damage?
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I don't see how people can't understand that disagreeing with someone's choices and lifestyle doesn't mean you hate them.
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I don't understand why they are doing this show in the first place. It's just another reboot. Boring!
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His response to the question was perfect. Of course all 500 people who have a fit about men being better at being women than women are had a fit about it. "So hurtful! So cruel!"
So...quintessentially John Lithgow.
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Of course Lithgow is wrong. He might've been naive at one point, but he can't claim that now. There's a difference between playing someone like Dahl and helping out bags more money to a living author who supports hurting people. Then there's the issue that HP was cute for a few novels, but it's being dragged along too far
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Honestly, I think people should be able to enjoy and support harry potter without getting at all involved with Rowling's anti trans opinions. I myself am a big Harry Potter fan, and I think you should be able to enjoy the books and movies without associating yourself with any of Rowling's controversies.
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Love John Lithgow...will definitely support and watch
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Woke is soooo yesterday!
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I am at odds on this subject. I support trans people's right to exist and be happy, BUT I do not support them to compete in women's sports. Its as though we decided to sacrifice all cis women in women's sports so trans could compete against them!
And that includes unchanged men who "identify" as women! They were allowed to compete against women as well! Insane!
Trans women are too fast, too strong and many times too big to compete against cis women no matter how many drugs they have taken to feminize them!
And it galls me that my Democratic friends have forced me to be on the side of the criminal, fascist, rapist Donald Trump on any subject!
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There are a lot of crazy artists who create beautiful art. That crazy edginess is what gets them to create something extraordinary. Or, you could boycott and burn everything that you don't agree with. Seems like a sterile, bland existence to me.
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Lithgow's never claimed to be a champion for LGBT. Why is it a prerequisite for taking a pivotal role, especially Dumbledore. He hasn't spoken out against LGBT, and he's not exactly a champion for JKR.
It's knee jerk hate like that which elected Trump... Let people live their lives as long as they do no harm! Even the ones who can't/won't stand for trans community.
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I wish I could say I'm horrified by the way people protect hate. But unfortunately look at the events here in 2015 and 2024. There was a racist bigot traitor elected to the White House everybody knows this but they said the hell with hate we don't care. The only thing that would change these people's mind if they are the direct recipient of hate racism or bigotry.
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People like you are so ^^^^^^^ weak minded and re^^^^ed! Get a real life!
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