Actor James Dreyfus slam trans activists as ‘misogynistic guys in skirts’ for waging war of hatred on JK Rowling and sending death and rape threats to women as part of campaign to ‘put them back in their place’
- James Dreyfus claimed those involved were ‘angry, young anarchist people’
- He accused the activists of also being behind threats to kill and rape women
- Dreyfus among 50 actors, writers and journalists to show support for Rowling
Actor James Dreyfus today slammed trans activists as ‘misogynistic guys in skirts’ for waging a war of hatred against Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
The Gimme, Gimme, Gimme star, 52, claimed those involved were ‘angry, young, anarchist people’ who harboured a deep hatred of women and ‘what they represent’.
He also accused them of being behind an alleged campaign of threats to kill and rape women in order to ‘put them back in their place’.
Dreyfus today told an ‘In Discussion’ Zoom meeting organised by the Campaign for Common Sense that society appeared to be ‘going backwards’.
He said: ‘These people speak for nobody but themselves. All my trans friends are as horrified and embarrassed as me. They want none of this having to label everything.
‘Women are going “please listen to us” but the response is “No, we won’t listen”.’
Actor James Dreyfus (pictured) today slammed trans activists as ‘misogynistic guys in skirts’ for waging a campaign of hatred against Harry Potter author JK Rowling
A group of trans activists condemned Dreyfus last year when he was among 50 actors, writers and journalists to sign a letter in support of JK Rowling following backlash to her views on trans people.
The Harry Potter author hit headlines in June after she mocked an online article using the words ‘people who menstruate’ instead of ‘women’.
She was hit by what she described as ‘relentless attacks’ after she wrote: ‘I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’
The acclaimed novelist then penned a deeply personal essay to address the controversy, revealing she was sexually assaulted in her 20s and saying she still feels the scars of ‘domestic violence’ from her first marriage.
Dreyfus played Tom in the Nineties sitcom Gimme Gimme Gimme alongside Kathy Burke
Harry Potter author JK Rowling hit headlines in June after she mocked an online article using the words ‘people who menstruate’ instead of ‘women’
She was hit by what she described as ‘relentless attacks’ after she wrote: ‘I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’
Rowling’s remarks sparked backlash from a range of stars including actors Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Eddie Redmayne.
She has since been involved in several transphobia rows, including when she directed fans to a website selling badges and stickers saying ‘transwomen are men’ in September.
Critics branded the author a TERF – a slur meaning a trans exclusionary radical feminist – in response, while urging Rowling to ‘understand the damage and hatefulness you have caused a group of people.’
Dreyfus said he had been ‘cancelled’ after showing support for the author in the letter as he criticised social media as ‘a monster we have created’.
He said people used it as an ‘echo chamber’ of their views, adding: ‘Silicon Valley has a lot to answer for.
‘Everything has become so polarised. It is a big boil growing and growing. One day it will burst but I don’t know when.’