It’s A Sin star Callum Scott Howells blames JK Rowling for Tory attacks on trans rights
Callum Scott Howells says JK Rowling is “stoking the fire” of Tory transphobia. (Getty)
It’s A Sin star Callum Scott Howells has blasted JK Rowling for giving Conservatives “permission” to suppress trans rights.
Expressing his concerns to Attitude, Scott Howells said that he was “terrified” for the queer community amid a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.
“These governments – I’ve lost count of how many we’ve had the last year – it’s really scary. With trans rights being attacked, JK Rowling isn’t helping. She’s stoking the fire and giving the Tories permission to do it. It’s terrifying,” he said.
Contempt for trans rights took up an absurd amount of space during the summer Tory leadership race, while current prime minister Rishi Sunak has previously denied that trans women are women and hinted at a ban on trans women in sport.
Meanwhile, JK Rowling has regularly taken aim at trans rights on social media, despite claiming that she is not transphobic. Just last week, Rowling faced criticism for liking a tweet by the notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ account Libs of TikTok.
Scott Howells continued: “I’m scared for this community and the people within it. We have to stick together and look after each other. If we don’t have each other, who do we have?”
The actor, who is currently starring in Cabaret on London’s West End, also spoke out against the decision to host this year’s World Cup in Qatar, where LGBTQ+ rights are virtually nonexistent.
Speaking as an avid football fan himself, Scott Howells said: “I don’t know why they’re hosting it in that country. I’m obviously not going, because of the show [Cabaret], but I wouldn’t anyway.
“It’s very clear the reason it’s being hosted there is because of the money. FIFA have clearly got a buck for going out there. That’s really selfish, capitalist, shameful and disappointing.
“I’m really proud Wales has qualified but gutted the first World Cup we’ve qualified for in years is where LGBTQ human rights are completely revolting.”
The star is one of a long list of celebrities to publicly call out those involved with the Qatar World Cup, with Dua Lipa, Will Young, Josh Cavallo, and Joe Lycett all slamming the tournament.
Scott Howells broke into stardom in early 2021, lauded for his portrayal of the loveable Colin in the groundbreaking drama It’s A Sin.
The 23-year-old also revealed to Attitude that he and his It’s A Sin co-stars are all still in touch and still a family.
“We really love each other in real life,” he said. “Omari and Lydia are like my brother and sister, I speak to them all the time. Olly’s so busy, [which means] I don’t see him as much as I’d like. But I speak to him when I can. We know we’ll all see each other again eventually.”
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