21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ian H Watkins slams JK Rowling as he says LGBTQIA+ community is 'under attack'
Steps star Ian H Watkins has written a new children's book which is called Pride and the Rainbow Warriors, which teaches readers of all ages the about the LGBTQ+ community
Steps' Ian H Watkins has slammed JK Rowling as he says LGBTQI+ community is "under attack". In a move away from music, Ian has brought out a children's book which teaches people about the LGBTQI+ community.
Ian has reflected on his own experiences growing up in the Rhondda Valley in Wales in the '80s and '90s and has said that despite the world now being more progressive, the community is still "under attack".
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has very vocal on the subject of trans people over the years. Following the Supreme Court's judgement in April, she has referred to transgender women as "men".
Speaking to MailOnline, Ian said: "There are a few, they are the minority, a few very powerful people making decisions that the majority do not agree with.... So this book is also a big middle finger up to the b***ts."
Stephen Fry has also also criticised LGBT charity Stonewall as he called it "nonsensical" and "stuck in a terrible, terrible, quagmire" when it comes to trans issues. In December he said: "I am not sure I support them."
Talking about the situation, Ian said: "There's actual human beings involved. I think they are playing a political game. But at the end of the day, the bottom line is just be kind.
"We're all facing struggles on a daily basis, you never know what somebody is going through, so just be kind, life is hard enough, let it go. Who I choose to love, why does that form your opinion? Why should that make you lose sleep at night? No. Worry about yourself."
Ian's new book, which is called Pride and the Rainbow Warriors, follows the Rainbow Warriors as they teach readers about the LGBTQ+ community. Talking about the book, Ian said it is a "love letter" to himself.
He said he wishes he had the book when he was growing up as he was made to fell "very different". He explained that he spent a lot of time out of school due to the bullying and hopes his children don't have to go through the same.
Ian is dad to twin sons Macsen and Cybi with his former partner Craig Ryder. The pair welcomed the boys via surrogate in 2016 before they went their separate ways a year later.
As well as turning his hand to writing and releasing his new book, Ian also uses his time to talk about diversity in schools and encourages children to embrace their individuality. Ian came out publicly in 2007 when he did an interview with The Sun.
