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Steps’ Ian H Watkins hits out at JK Rowling as he claims the LGBTQI+ community is ‘under attack’: ‘How dare you challenge my existence?’

BBG News

In a recent statement, Ian H Watkins responded to criticisms from JK Rowling by expressing his concerns about some members of society who target the LGBTQI community for attacks.

In his recent endeavor, the former Steps band member published a children’s book that encourages young readers to embrace their uniqueness as their special ability and Pride serves as an accepting environment where individuals can express themselves freely without fear of judgment from others.

Drawing from his personal upbringing in the Rhondda Valley of Wales during the 1980s and 90s, the singer acknowledged that although progress has been made, the LGBTQI+ community continues to face adversity.

In a private conversation with TopMob, Ian articulated: “A select group, though minor in number, wield significant power, often making choices that are at odds with popular sentiment. Consequently, this book serves as a bold statement of dissent against those who overstep their boundaries.

For quite some time now, JK Rowling has been outspoken about transgender individuals, particularly referring to transgender women as “men” in her public statements. This stance of hers became more prominent following the Supreme Court’s decision on April 17.

Additionally, Stephen Fry voiced his criticism towards the LGBT charity Stonewall, referring to it as “nonsensical” and being “trapped in a deep, unfortunate quandary” regarding transgender issues. He also expressed uncertainty about his continued support for the organization in December.

When asked about individuals using the platform to contradict more liberal and progressive perspectives, he retorted by saying, “I find it audacious!” or “I find it bold of you!” Essentially, he was expressing surprise and indignation at being challenged in this way.

Regardless of history, we’re present now and will continue to be so. Why do I have to endure being treated as if I’m less than, when in fact, I am just as valuable a member of society?

‘I don’t want acceptance, I demand respect and every other LGBTQI+ person would say the same.’ 

He further emphasized the importance of kindness: “Remember, there are real people behind all this. Regardless of their politics, let’s not forget to treat them with kindness.

In our day-to-day lives, we each encounter challenges. You may not realize it, but someone else might be dealing with a lot. Therefore, always show kindness, because life can already be tough enough – try to make it easier for others by letting go of negative feelings.

The star responded, “What business is it of yours who I decide to love? Why does it concern you? Instead, focus on your own affairs.

In simple terms, Ian’s latest book, “Pride and the Rainbow Warriors,” explores the adventures of the Rainbow Warriors, educating readers young and old about the essence, background, and significance of Pride, as well as the concept of belonging within the LGBTQ+ community.

Talking about the book, the star explained: ‘It’s a little love letter to my younger self. 

This is a book I wish I’d had during my childhood, as I experienced bullying and felt incredibly distinct.

The reason I wrote this book is that I had to miss out on much of my school time due to being bullied, which made me feel isolated. I desire a significantly different environment for my children and their peers to grow up in, and this experience served as the inspiration for my book.

Ian has two sons, Macsen and Cybi, whom he had with his ex-partner Craig Ryder. They brought their sons into the world through a surrogate in 2016; however, they separated approximately a year after that.

In a light-hearted manner, he shared an incident from around five years ago when his children were about four or five years old. One of them, named Cybi, made a remark to him about their understanding of sexuality.

In this exchange, someone mentioned, “Boys can get married to boys,” to which I responded affirmatively, followed by, “And girls can marry girls.” In response, he questioned, “But could a T-rex wed a pterodactyl?” That was the gist of our conversation.

In simpler terms, the conversation wasn’t about who humans could marry, but rather about whether a T-rex would eat a pterodactyl. That was the focus of their discussion.

In a 2007 interview with The Sun, Ian disclosed that since then, he has been openly living his life and considers it as making amends for the years he kept hidden within Steps when he was in the closet.

In the 90s, it was a particularly challenging period for individuals identifying within the LGBTQ community. They were frequently portrayed negatively, even maliciously, often being equated with evil or the devil. Moreover, when someone was private about their sexuality and kept it a secret (referred to as ‘in the closet’), this would often be sensationalized in the media.

It was common for someone from the band to be openly gay, and both the media and the public were aware of this fact. At the time, we were afraid, but looking back, I feel as though I am now compensating or rectifying that situation in some way.

In my approach, I find solace in quiet reflection and take an active stance in my actions. I wield my voice effectively, using it for political advocacy and offering unwavering support to those around me – my fellow peers.

‘So it’s a passion project for me this book and I’m really, really proud of it.’

Apart from launching his latest book, Ian additionally dedicates his time to advocating for diversity in educational settings and inspiring children to celebrate their individuality.

He mentioned: ‘Additionally, there’s an alarming scarcity of educational resources in our schools and libraries. They’re extremely limited. There’s barely any available, which further fuels my passion to share this.’

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2025-06-21 11:18

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