Judy Blume is clarifying comments she made in support of J.K. Rowling.
The best-selling author of the 1970′s novels “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” and “Forever,” said that she is “100%” behind the polarizing “Harry Potter” writer.
But after backlash quickly ensued on social media, she said the remarks were taken out of context.
“I love her. I am behind her 100% as I watch from afar,” Blume recently told Britain’s The Sunday Times.
Rowling has become a lightning rod to the LGBTQ+ community for her views on gender identity.
While the best-selling British author has rejected accusations of transphobia, the past few years have seen her anger LGBTQ+ advocates for sharing anti-trans views with her 14 million Twitter followers.
In February, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson described Rowling as “one of the most famous transphobic writers in the world.”
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According to the outlet, the beloved children’s book and young adult novelist was “referring to the abuse Rowling has received for speaking up in defense of women’s sex-based rights.”
On Sunday, Blume tweeted: “I wholly support the trans community. My point, which was taken out of context, is that I can empathize with a writer — or person — who has been harassed online.
“I stand with the trans community and vehemently disagree with anyone who does not fully support equality and acceptance for LGBTQIA+ people,” the 85-year-old scribe continued. “Anything to the contrary is total bulls—.”
Blume was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine earlier this month.
She has been vocal about the recent book bans that have swept conservative factions of the country.
“Protecting your children means educating them and arming them with knowledge, and reading and supporting what they want to read,” she told Variety.
A filmed adaptation of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret ‘’ starring Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates, will hit theaters April 28.
Karu F. Daniels
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