Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has publicly defended bestselling author J.K. Rowling after the Harry Potter creator was criticized yet again for standing firm on biological definitions of sex — particularly in opposition to transgender ideology being promoted in Hollywood.
The latest incident came after The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal gave an interview to Vanity Fair in which he was praised for “shutting down” Rowling and voicing strong support for transgender rights. The quote was highlighted by LGBTQ news outlet Gayety, which published the headline: “Pedro Pascal Shuts Down Rowling, Defends Trans Rights, and Reflects on Fame at 50.”
Rowling responded to the headline on social media platform X, downplaying Pascal’s criticism.
“Can’t say I feel very shut down, but keep at it, Pedro,” she wrote, adding, “God loves a trier.”
The back-and-forth didn’t end there. Navratilova reposted Rowling’s response with a pointed comment of her own: “Another Johnny come lately telling women to STFU.”
Navratilova, a vocal feminist and openly gay sports icon, has not aligned herself with the Republican Party or with former President Donald Trump. However, she has consistently stood by the position that biological males should not compete in women’s sports or take space away from biological women in traditionally female-only spaces. Her defense of Rowling continues a growing pattern of public figures — including some with progressive backgrounds — speaking out against what they see as the harmful erasure of biological sex under the banner of transgender inclusion.
According to Fox News, this is not the first time Rowling and Pascal have clashed publicly over the issue. Pascal previously condemned Rowling for expressing support for a United Kingdom Supreme Court decision that affirmed a legal definition of womanhood based on biological sex. “That’s heinous loser behavior,” Pascal reportedly said in response. “Bullies make me f***ing sick.”
Rowling, meanwhile, has continued to be outspoken in defense of women’s rights and single-sex spaces, despite persistent efforts to vilify her for her views. She has faced intense backlash for statements that affirm the reality of biological sex — statements that, only a few years ago, would have been considered uncontroversial by the vast majority of society.
Navratilova’s support for Rowling is particularly noteworthy, given her standing as a progressive icon and LGBTQ trailblazer. In past posts on X, she has criticized her own party for abandoning women and girls in the rush to embrace radical gender ideology.
“I hate that the Democrats totally failed women and girls on this very clear issue of women’s sports being for females only,” she wrote, following a Trump administration executive order affirming that biological males should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. “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.”
Navratilova was also among the few prominent progressives who supported the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which passed Congress with support from only two Democrats. The legislation seeks to prohibit biological males from competing in female sports at federally funded institutions.
The broader issue underlying the debate is one of contradiction. While transgender individuals are increasingly celebrated in media and culture — with dedicated Pride events, celebrity endorsements, corporate partnerships, and political lobbying — they are also often described by activists as victims in need of widespread societal protection. Critics argue that this dual narrative is used to silence dissent while elevating one group’s preferences over another’s rights.
In the context of sports, critics ask how a movement that claims to promote inclusion and fairness can simultaneously endorse policies that put biological women and girls at a disadvantage — particularly when physical differences between males and females are scientifically proven and well-documented.
Supporters of transgender rights often cite mental health struggles among transgender individuals as a justification for policy changes. Yet, critics argue that redefining societal norms around gender without considering the real-world consequences — such as lost scholarships, physical injuries, and the psychological toll on young women — does not constitute compassionate policymaking.
The tension between protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining fairness and truth in public policy has never been more pronounced. As high-profile voices like Navratilova and Rowling continue to challenge prevailing narratives, the political and cultural debate over gender identity — and its implications for law, sports, and women’s rights — is likely to intensify.