ICYMI, J.K. Rowling basically came out recently as a full-on TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) with a series of anti-trans tweets. This wasn’t new for the writer: She had been criticized before for supporting TERF “gender critical” feminists. In response to the backlash, Rowling doubled down on the transphobia, releasing a 3,690 word blog post in which she explains why she doesn’t believe trans women are women.
Stars of the “Harry Potter” franchise have since spoken up against Rowling’s comments.
Penning a letter for The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe wrote:
“Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I. According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity. It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.
To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you. I really hope that you don’t entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you. If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life—then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that. It means to you what it means to you and I hope that these comments will not taint that too much.”
Emma Watson, fellow “Harry Potter” star, also tweeted, “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”
I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020
Meanwhile, “Fantastic Beasts” star Eddie Redmayne released a statement to Variety, saying, “As someone who has worked with both J.K. Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid. I would never want to speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which all too often results in violence and abuse. They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so.”
Featured photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons
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