J.K. Rowling has been at the center of controversy with tweets that appear anti-trans. Eddie Redmayne and Daniel Radcliffe have spoken out in response to her comments.
Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books and the spinoff franchise Fantastic Beasts, posted a series of tweets on Saturday, writing: "If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth,” Rowling wrote. “The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women — ie, to male violence — ‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences — is a nonsense."
Redmayne, who starred in Rowling's Fantastic Beasts, said in a statement to Variety: "Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself. This is an ongoing process."
Redmayne was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Lili Elbe, a Danish transgender woman, in The Danish Girl. His statement continues: "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."
On Tuesday, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe also criticized Rowling with a response on the Trevor Project website, writing: "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." ~Marriska Fernandes
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