The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal calls JK Rowling a "heinous loser" on Instagram over anti-trans stance

Pedro Pascal, star of The Last of Us, publicly condemned author JK Rowling for her support of a recent UK Supreme Court ruling. The April 16 ruling defines "woman" strictly by biological s*x, thereby excluding transgender women from legal recognition under the Equality Act 2010.

In an Instagram comment responding to activist Tariq Ra'ouf's video criticizing Rowling's celebratory post about the ruling, Pedro Pascal described her actions as:

"Awful disgusting SH*T is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior."

JK Rowling had posted a photo of herself on X (formerly Twitter), holding a drink and a cigar, with the caption, "I love it when a plan comes together. #SupremeCourt #WomensRights." This post followed the court's decision, which has been met with both support and backlash. Rowling financially backed For Women Scotland, the group that brought the legal challenge leading to the ruling.

---

Pedro Pascal speaks on LGBTQ+ rights

Pedro Pascal's recent comments reinforce his existing commitment to support transgender people. On April 22, at the London premiere of Marvel's Thunderbolts*, he wore a white T-shirt displaying the sentence "Protect the Dolls," which represents the LGBTQ+ term of endearment for transgender women.

The shirt by American designer Conner Ives promotes a campaign for Trans Lifeline, which provides peer support services and crisis intervention for transgender people.

Pedro Pascal continuously displays his dedication to backing his transgender sibling, Lux Pascal, after her coming out in 2021. Lux appeared in Ya magazine, expressing her gratitude to her brother for constantly supporting her transition to becoming a transgender woman.

Through his Instagram post, Pedro featured the magazine cover and wrote "Mi hermana, mi corazón, nuestra Lux," which translates to "My sister, my heart, our Lux.

The U.K. Supreme Court's ruling has sparked widespread debate. While supporters argue it provides clarity for single-s*x spaces, critics contend it undermines the rights of transgender individuals.

The ruling stipulates that the legal definitions of "woman" and "s*x" pertain exclusively to biological s*x, excluding transgender women, even those holding Gender Recognition Certificates, from certain legal protections.

Several public figures have expressed opposition to Rowling's stance. Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan criticized the author on Instagram Stories, stating:

"This Is a New Low for J.K. Rowling," and added that she "wouldn't touch [the new Harry Potter series] with a ten-foot pole."

Original Harry Potter cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have also voiced support for the transgender community. Radcliffe penned an essay for the Trevor Project, expressing regret over the pain caused by Rowling's comments, while Watson tweeted:

"Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are."

The author JK Rowling stresses that she defends women's rights through protecting biological s*x-based categories even while upholding transgender inclusivity. She says she supports transgender rights yet opposes transgender people skipping medical checks before their identity is legally recognized.

The ongoing debate maintains a forceful spark that drives conversations regarding gender identity definitions while seeking the proper equilibrium between safeguarding women's rights and establishing transgender inclusivity.