Martina Navratilova backs JK Rowling after author slams Pedro Pascal over criticism of her trans views

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has stepped into the spotlight to defend author JK Rowling amid a growing clash with actor Pedro Pascal. 

The 'Star Wars' star recently labeled Rowling a "bully" in a Vanity Fair interview, criticizing her outspoken views on transgender issues. The debate reignited after Rowling publicly applauded a landmark UK Supreme Court ruling stating that trans women cannot be legally defined as women.

Martina Navratilova backs JK Rowling after Pedro Pascal criticizes her over trans views

Eighteen-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova, who has consistently spoken out about preserving what she sees as fairness in women’s athletics by excluding transgender athletes, took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Pedro Pascal’s recent remarks about JK Rowling, as per Fox News.

Responding to the 'Harry Potter' creator's post about claims that the actor had effectively silenced her, the 68-year-old wrote, “Another Johnny come lately telling women to STFU.” With nearly 469,000 followers and her global stature as a sporting icon, Navratilova’s comments carry significant weight.

Though a lifelong Democrat, Navratilova has remained unwavering in her stance that transgender athletes should not compete in women’s categories.

Rowling, too, has firmly rooted beliefs on gender. She maintains that legal recognition as female should be limited to those born biologically female and has repeatedly emphasized the importance of protecting women-only spaces.

Pascal, however, has taken a very different view. A vocal supporter of trans rights, 'The Last of Us' actor called Rowling’s stance “heinous loser behavior” in a post on Instagram.

In a Vanity Fair interview, published on June 24, he condemned Rowling for what he sees as bullying behavior. “It’s a situation that deserves the utmost elegance so that something can actually happen, and people will actually be protected. Listen, I want to protect the people I love,” he said, adding, “Bullies make me f**king sick.”

Pascal’s perspective is personal as his younger sister, Lux, is a transgender woman.

Internet divide over Martina Navratilova's support for JK Rowling amid Pedro Pacal clash

After news spread online that Martina Navratilova had voiced her support for JK Rowling amid her clash with Pedro Pascal over transgender issues, the internet lit up with reactions. Social media users were quick to weigh in, some applauding Navratilova’s stance, while others agreed with Pascal.

One Facebook user wrote, "Good on Martina for standing up for J.K. Rowling. Agree or not, she has every right to express her views without being vilified. Free speech matters—even when it’s unpopular."

Another said, "It's pretty interesting to see Martina Navratilova stepping in for J.K. Rowling, I mean, it’s always cool when someone stands up for another, especially when the criticism gets pretty intense. Rowling has definitely stirred the pot with her comments, and it seems like opinions are pretty divided. It’s great to see people having open discussions about these topics, though."

A person praised the tennis legend, writing, "Bravo for Martina. A pioneer in Women’s sport Real Women’s sports," while someone eles added, "Good for her! Where are the rest of the women athletes?!?!"

One more hailed, "More women athletes need to speak up just like she's doing!!" and another declared, "Stand with Martina 💯%. Girls sports is for biological girls."

Meanwhile, a person shared a different perspective, writing, "He's right, she's wrong!" A commenter added, "I agree with Pedro Pascal! He is very close to this. We need to be more careful how we speak about trans issues! Anyone who can’t is a bully!"

"Navratilova's support might be out of the defense of freedom of speech, but this does not mean that J.K. Rowling's previous remarks did not cause harm to transgender people. In public discussions, influential figures should be more cautious with their words and respect disadvantaged groups," another comment read. 

Dem supporter Martina Navratilova slams her own party for failing to protect female athletes

Martina Navratilova, a staunch Democrat for decades, has remained firmly opposed to allowing transgender women, whom she refers to as biological males, to compete in women’s and girls’ sports.

Despite her clear disdain for President Donald Trump, as seen in numerous critical posts on her social media, Navratilova hasn’t hesitated to call out her own party when it comes to the transgender issue. She has repeatedly expressed frustration with what she sees as the Democratic Party’s failure to protect female athletes.

When Trump signed an executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports, Navratilova didn’t shift her political alignment, but she didn’t hold back in criticizing Democrats either.

“I hate that the Democrats totally failed women and girls on this very clear issue of women’s sports being for females only,” she posted on X.

Her frustration deepened earlier this year when the House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Only two Democrats supported the bill alongside Republicans.

Navratilova took to X again, urging more of her party members to stand up, writing, “More Dems need to step up here. I know many who agree but are scared to speak up because of re-election. I say do the right thing. Grow a spine."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.