David Tennant Shares His Take On JK Rowling As He Discusses His Allyship To Trans Community

David Tennant has made another vocal display of support for the transgender community, while sharing his take on JK Rowling’s views on issues relating to the trans community.

The former Doctor Who star is one of the subjects of the new interview series The Assembly, in which a celebrity guest faces a grilling from an audience of people with autism, learning disabilities or other neurodivergences.

As part of his interview, David was asked about what inspired him to become an outspoken ally for transgender and gender non-conforming people.

He responded: “When I was a teenager, there was this thing that Mrs Thatcher’s government introduced called Section 28, which was about stopping the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools, which was a weird umbrella term which was basically saying it was illegal to talk about being gay in school or to suggest that that might be a normal way of behaving.

“We look back on that now as a medieval, absurd thing to try and say. And I think the way the trans community is being demonised and othered is exactly the same. It’s become this kind of political football.”

Asked about Rowling – who has become a polarising figure due to her own commentary on trans issues in recent years – David described her as a “wonderful author who’s created brilliant stories”, to whom he wishes “no ill will”.

He was quick to add: “But I hope that we can all as a society, just let people be. Just get out of people’s way.”