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By Charlie Sawyer

Published Jun 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

Image courtesy of IMDb

To play down or minimise the damage JK Rowling has done through her rhetoric on X is to dismiss and disregard the feelings and rights of thousands of trans individuals across the world.

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After recently coming to the defence of co-star Tom Felton, it’s unsurprising that former Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs is doubling down on his rather weak stance regarding JK Rowling’s public tirade against the trans community.

In a lengthy feature for Vulture, Isaacs, who recently was lauded by critics and fans for his performance in season three of The White Lotus, was asked by the interviewer: “I’m curious if you have thoughts about J.K. Rowling and what seems to be her fixation on trans women, specifically her belief that trans women’s rights erode biological women’s rights.”

The actor’s immediate response was “You’re asking me to be Jo’s spokesperson and unpack what’s going on in Jo’s head?” Not an ounce of defensiveness detected there of course…

Prompted once more by the interviewer about his thoughts on the matter, Isaacs delivered a schpiel about the fact that he’s only met Rowling once, “for about two minutes,” before launching into a rather self-serving statement:

“People want me to talk about J.K Rowling’s attitude to trans people all the time. And initially, I went, ‘I don’t know her well enough, and I’m a straight white man in late middle age, and it’s not for me to opine on feminist and trans issues.’ But then I championed this fabulous trans comedian, Jordan Gray, and wrote about her, and I suddenly became a poster boy for trans rights.”

The actor continued: “It was interpreted as me putting the knife into Jo, and it wasn’t. I don’t understand who she is on Twitter. But then that’s true of almost anybody online. It’s a place where people scream abuse at each other. And I’ve heard her arguments when she explained herself in that seven-part podcast, The Witch Trials of J.K Rowling, which I listened to. She says something like, ‘I may be on the wrong side of history, but this is what I feel very strongly.’ It’s not my argument or discussion to have. But if there’s a vote, I know which side I’ll be voting.”

While it is not Isaac’s responsibility to speak on Rowling’s behalf, saying that he doesn’t “understand” who she is on Twitter feels like a cop out. She’s transphobic. See? Easy.

To play down or minimise the damage Rowling has done through her rhetoric on X is to dismiss and disregard the feelings and rights of thousands of trans individuals across the world. It wasn’t hard to understand what the author meant when she rather gleefully declared that “there are no trans kids” on X back in December 2024. 

Also, nothing is ever isolated to social media these days. Indeed, Rowling played a massive role in a political crusade that ultimately resulted in the unanimous passing of “a ruling that limited the definition of a woman to be based on ‘biological sex’ under Britain’s Equality Act, excluding trans women from being protected from discrimination.”

So, Isaac’s rather blasé comments are not only unhelpful, they’re harmful. Right now, the former Harry Potter cast seems to be diving towards that sinking ship.

After three years and 1.3 million texts and phone calls, the national LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotline is shutting down. The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it was ending LGBTQ+ services for 988, the crisis hotline for queer youth that launched in 2022. 

“Everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors who can help with suicidal, substance misuse, or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress,” the administration said in an announcement. “Anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help.” 

The statement does not specify why services specific to LGBTQ+ callers are ending. 

LGBTQ+ rights organizations decried the news as a crushing blow to young queer Americans, many of whom are already suffering through increasingly hostile laws and policies. 

“This is devastating, to say the least,” said Jaymes Black, CEO of the queer youth suicide prevention organization Trevor Project, in a statement. “Suicide prevention is about people, not politics. The administration’s decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible.”

The announcement came on the eve of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the United States vs. Skrmetti, in which the court upheld a Tennessee law barring gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The ruling is expected to bolster anti-transgender medical bans for youth in 25 states and risks undercutting constitutional protections for all transgender people. 

Over the last five years, LGBTQ+ people have increasingly been the target of hostile policy and political attacks. Against that backdrop, the 988 hotline was praised as a lifeline for young people in desperate need of support. But the Trump administration’s moves to unravel diversity, equity and inclusion policies have undercut services for LGBTQ+ people broadly. 

The Trevor Project, which staffs its own crisis line, worked with the federal government to field approximately 50 percent of the 988 calls. Six other providers also do that work. According to the Trevor Project, it served 231,000 crisis contacts last year alone.

The organization reports that LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their straight cisgender peers. According to their 2023 survey, roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth had seriously considered suicide, and 41 percent of queer youth overall had.

What if the traits you’ve been taught to suppress your entire career are actually the very qualities that separate those who get what they want from those who stay stuck waiting for recognition that never comes?

Today on the show, Jenny Wood argues that most of us are living in what she calls “an invisible cage” created by an overabundance of caution, and that the biggest lie you’ve been told in your career is to keep your head down and let your work speak for itself.

Jenny is a former Google executive who developed a career development program used by 56,000 people in nearly 100 countries, and she’s the author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It. In our conversation, Jenny explains how traits that have a negative rap can be used for positive ends that will advance your career. We discuss how being shameless, reckless, nosy, manipulative, obsessed, and more can help you overcome your success-hindering fears, take bolder action, and achieve your goals.

Connect With Jenny Wood

Listen to the Podcast! (And don’t forget to leave us a review!)

Listen to the episode on a separate page.

Download this episode.

Subscribe to the podcast in the media player of your choice.

Transcript Coming Soon

As much as I’ve tried to be a tea gal, the truth is… espresso will always be far superior in my eyes. Sue me! I’ve bought the ceremonial-grade powder that costs way too much. I try to romanticize it with a mason jar and glass straw. I gaslit myself into thinking the grassy taste was “earthy” and “elevated.” But no matter how hard I committed, I found myself missing that rich, bold hit of espresso. Especially on hot summer mornings when hot coffee feels a bit too heavy and iced tea just isn’t giving me the jolt of energy I desperately need.

Then, one day in our work chat, I saw the phrase “Espresso Lemonade” hit my screen. It felt like a threat—are we just mixing anything these days? Where’s our decorum? But with my coworkers raving about it, I gave in. And thank God I did. Espresso Lemonade is that girl.

Why Espresso Lemonade works

If you’re side-eyeing right now, I get it. Espresso and lemonade sound like they belong on opposite ends of the beverage spectrum. But together? They’re surprisingly balanced. The tangy citrus cuts through the espresso’s boldness in the best way, giving you a drink that’s bright, slightly sweet, and insanely refreshing. It’s like an Arnold Palmer’s cooler, indie older sister.

Unlike your usual milky go-tos, this drink skips the cream and hits different on hot days. It’s light. It’s zippy (this word just feels right; you’ll get it once you try it). It’s thirst-quenching. Compared to the other iced bevs we’ve always known and loved, Espresso Lemonade is kind of the underdog that steals the show. The Addison Rae of the beverage world, if you will. Hot lattes can feel a bit rich. Espresso Lemonade? It hits all the right notes.

The key ingredient: NESCAFÉ Espresso Concentrate

Pulling a shot of espresso at home is… ambitious. I am not in the pay grade to buy a $$$$ machine, so NESCAFÉ’s Espresso Concentrate is the hack that makes this trend way more accessible. It’s a game-changer for anyone who wants coffeehouse vibes without the expensive equipment.

Here’s why it’s different: It’s made with real espresso, but you don’t need a machine to use it. Just twist, pour, mix with your drink of choice, and you’ve got a barista-level bev. You get that deep, rich espresso flavor in seconds, and it’s shelf-stable before opening, so you can keep it on hand for whenever the craving hits. No stress, no burnt espresso taste, just you and your little diva drink against the world.

NESCAFÉ

available in black, vanilla, and caramel flavors

How to make the perfect Espresso Lemonade

OK, girls, here’s how you make the magic happen:

• Fill a glass with ice (duh, but necessary)
• Pour in 6-12 ounces of your favorite lemonade (store-bought or homemade—whatever’s easy)
• Add 2 tablespoons of NESCAFÉ Espresso Concentrate
• Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice or sprig of mint if you’re feeling a little bougie

And you can customize it however you please:

• Prefer it sweeter? Use their sweet vanilla flavor.
• Want it bubbly? Use sparkling lemonade.
• Need more punch? Go with 2 tablespoons of espresso concentrate.
• Not a fan of pulp? Strain your lemonade before mixing.

Take a peek at NESCAFÉ‘s recipe page for more ideas on how to use my new go-to pantry staple.

More NESCAFÉ Espresso Concentrate recipes I’m trying this summer

Once you’ve fallen in love with Espresso Lemonade (you will), try branching out. With black, vanilla, and caramel flavors, this concentrate is super versatile—here are a few other drinks to whip up.

• Espresso Tonic: Pour 2 tablespoons of your favorite Espresso Concentrate over tonic water and ice for a fizzy, sophisticated twist on your coffee break.
• Iced Espresso with Oat Milk: Smooth, creamy, and endlessly customizable—this classic is perfect for any mood.
• Dirty Iced Matcha: Blend matcha with your milk of choice, then top with 2 tablespoons of Espresso Concentrate (sweet vanilla is a great pick) for a bold, layered sip.
• Espresso Martini: Shake up 2 tablespoons of Espresso Concentrate with vodka and coffee liqueur for a rich cocktail that’s both velvety and buzzy.

All in all, I ride for Espresso Lemonade. With NESCAFÉ’s Espresso Concentrate, it becomes a low-effort, high-reward kind of drink that hits every single time. Light, refreshing, energizing—what more could a gal want? So if tea’s not doing it for you and hot coffee feels like a little too much, give Espresso Lemonade a shot. ​ Feel free to DM me to say thank you!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editoral Assistant

As the Branded Content Editorial Assistant, McKenna collaborates with our sales team by creating both written and social media content, collecting and analyzing performance data to report back to our partners, and assisting our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth and productive process.

This post is sponsored by NESCAFÉ but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.

Feature graphic images credited to: Hannah Dempsey | Dupe, Avery Estabanes | Dupe, Rachel Milton | Dupe, Kellie Daniel | Dupe, Vittoria Tomassini | Dupe

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A federal judge has expanded an injunction against the Trump administration’s anti-transgender passport policies, temporarily blocking their enforcement for trans, nonbinary, and intersex people who have or need a U.S. passport.

In an order issued Tuesday evening in the ongoing lawsuit Orr v. Trump, Massachusetts District Judge Julia Kobick expanded the preliminary injunction she issued in April, which required the State Department to issue passports that match the plaintiffs’ gender identities.

Kubick’s expanded injunction now blocks the Trump administration from denying passport gender marker changes to all trans, nonbinary, and intersex people who want an M, F, or X designation that differs from their assigned sex at birth, and who “do not have a currently valid passport, need to renew their current passport because it expires within one year, need to make changes to their passport to have the sex designation on it align with their gender identity or to reflect a name change, or need to apply for another passport because their passport was lost, stolen, or damaged.”

The State Department and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expressly directed under the injunction to “to process and issue passports […] consistent with the State Department’s policy as of January 19, 2025,” and to allow passport applicants to self-declare their gender even if that information is “different from the sex assigned to those individuals under the [Trump] Passport Policy.”

Excluded from the class certification are all plaintiffs in the similar lawsuit Schlachter v. U.S. Department of State, which is currently being argued by attorneys for Lambda Legal. Kubick also did not specifically include intersex people in the class of those seeking X gender markers, writing in her opinion that because the only Orr v. Trump plaintiffs seeking X gender markers were endosex nonbinary people, it was “not clear that non-binary class representatives could fully represent the interests of intersex class members.”

“[T]he plaintiffs have introduced uncontroverted evidence of the harms that transgender and non-binary people face if they are required to use passports bearing sex designations aligning with their sex assigned at birth rather than their gender identity,” Kubick wrote in her opinion, citing expert testimony that mismatched documents put trans people at heightened risk while traveling and have negative effects on mental health.