Martina Navratilova defends J.K. Rowling in ongoing trans rights debate – Washington Examiner
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has entered teh ongoing debate over transgender rights by defending J.K. Rowling while criticizing actor Pedro Pascal, known for his roles in “The Mandalorian” and the upcoming “Fantastic Four” film. This public spat resumed following Pascal’s June remarks in a “Vanity Fair” interview where he criticized Rowling, referencing support for his transgender sibling, Lux. Pascal condemned Rowling’s viewpoints as “bully” behavior, which arose after her social media post celebrated a ruling defining “woman” based on biological sex.
Navratilova, a noted advocate for women’s sports and a critic of trans women in female athletic categories, took to social media to voice her support for Rowling and to chastise Pascal, expressing frustration over his comments directed at women. While Pascal’s stance has been well-received by many in the LGBTQ+ community, it has also faced backlash from individuals like Navratilova, who argue for maintaining biological sex as a basis for policies in areas such as sports. Rowling remains firm in her beliefs,asserting that advocating for women’s sex-based rights is not inherently transphobic.
Martina Navratilova defends J.K. Rowling, slams ‘Fantastic Four’ star in ongoing trans rights debate
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova is jumping into the culture war again, this time defending Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and sharply criticizing Marvel actor Pedro Pascal amid a renewed public spat over transgender rights.
The exchange began after Pascal, star of The Mandalorian series and the upcoming Fantastic Four film, reignited criticism of Rowling in a June Vanity Fair interview, citing his support for his transgender sibling, Lux Pascal.
“Bullies make me f—— sick,” Pascal said to Vanity Fair. “It’s a situation that deserves the utmost elegance so that something can actually happen.”
The comment came in response to Rowling’s April social media post celebrating a U.K. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the legal definition of “woman” as based on biological sex. Rowling posted a photo of herself smoking a cigar with a whiskey glass in hand, captioned: “I love it when a plan comes together.”
I love it when a plan comes together.#SupremeCourt #WomensRights pic.twitter.com/agOkWmhPgb
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2025
Pascal responded at the time, calling it “awful disgusting SH–” and “heinous LOSER behavior” in a now widely shared comment on Instagram.
Navratilova, a long-standing advocate for women’s sports and a critic of trans women competing in female athletic categories, backed Rowling and fired back at Pascal on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
“Another Johnny come lately telling women to STFU,” she posted, referencing Pascal’s comments.
Another Johnny come lately telling women to STFU https://t.co/nzd5MeXKC1
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) June 29, 2025
Though a lifelong Democrat and no fan of President Donald Trump, she has previously criticized her own party, writing that Democrats “totally failed women and girls” by not defending female-only sports.
Pascal, known for his roles in Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, and The Mandalorian, is preparing to lead Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic. The film, releasing July 25, marks his entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a central role that will continue through Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
While Pascal’s comments have been embraced by many in the LGBT community and among Democrats, they have also drawn pushback from fans and critics like Navratilova, who argue that biological sex must remain the basis for policies in areas like sports and prisons.
Rowling, for her part, has remained unapologetic in her views. She has consistently argued that defending sex-based rights for women is not transphobic.
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While Pascal acknowledged his comments could stir controversy, he told Vanity Fair he is compelled to speak out for those under attack.
“Listen, I want to protect the people I love,” he said, referencing his sibling. “But it goes beyond that.”
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