Former child star of ‘Matilda’ movie slams JK Rowling for ‘cruel and exclusionary’ trans tweet
Mara Wilson made clear her support for trans rights in a scathing reply to JK Rowling’s tweet (Twitter/@MaraWilson)
The former child actress Mara Wilson, who’s famed for her starring role in 1996’s Matilda, has given a blistering response to a ‘transphobic’ tweet from JK Rowling.
Mara Wilson became a household name in the 90s for her roles in family films such as Mrs Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street and of course Matilda. Now 32, she is a successful voice actress and writer.
As a bisexual woman, Wilson is also a vocal and supportive member of the LGBT+ community.
Yesterday, Harry Potter author JK Rowling voiced her support for a woman who pursued legal action to have “gender-critical views” protected under the UK Equalities Act.
Judge James Tayler ruled that anti-trans or gender critical views are not a protected characteristic, adding that such views are “not worthy of respect in a democratic society” and that they conflict with the fundamental human rights of others.
After the ruling was announced, Rowling tweeted: “Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill.”
Wilson made clear her support for trans rights in a scathing reply to Rowling’s tweet.
“What, exactly, is to be gained by using your platform to be cruel and exclusionary to one of the world’s most vulnerable populations?” she asked.
What, exactly, is to be gained by using your platform to be cruel and exclusionary to one of the world’s most vulnerable populations?
— Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson (@MaraWilson) December 19, 2019
When Wilson was met with the predictable anti-trans backlash, several of her fans thanked her for taking a stand against JK Rowling in support of trans rights.
Thank you @MaraWilson. Too few of my childhood heroes have stood the test of time.
I wish more folks from 90s/2000s would write for McSweeneys instead of going full Dilbert guy on twitter pic.twitter.com/xnhq5mjA1B— ✨? (@dontbenebby) December 20, 2019
Thank you for supporting trans rights. It’s difficult sticking one’s head over the parapet, but you are giving heart to people who need it after hearing one of their childhood icons favours their abusers.
— BeyondBooksApp (@BeyondBooksApp) December 19, 2019
JK ruined my childhood today but the fact that Mara is such an eloquent feminist restored it. Thanks “Matilda.” You’re awesome. (And I’ve known this and followed her for a while because of this reason..)
— Luah S. Fontana (@Luahfontana) December 19, 2019
Matilda is the superior magic child wbk
— Karla (@mexcellentt) December 19, 2019
Wilson later addressed the backlash she received, noting that she has “never gotten more hate” than when she voices her support for trans people.
“But I see no reason to exclude or be hateful to one of the most vulnerable populations,” she continued. “Trans women are women, trans men are men, that does not take away from my rights and being who I am.
“I will probably be muting this, really don’t get how trans people being who they are and who they want to be takes away from feminism and threatens women. I’m sure there are some trans people who are awful, because there are all kinds of people who are awful.”
I will probably be muting this, really don’t get how trans people being who they are and who they want to be takes away from feminism and threatens women. I’m sure there are some trans people who are awful, because there are all kinds of people who are awful.
— Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson (@MaraWilson) December 19, 2019
And she drew on her own experiences with fame and “predatory” people, saying that the existence of one “horrible trans woman” does not justify widespread transphobia.
“I keep getting people in my mentions saying ‘well what about this horrible trans woman!?!?!?’ You know, I’ve had female stalkers. Maybe she’s predatory in a way that other women are predatory? That doesn’t invalidate other people’s existence,” she explained.
Well said, Mara!
