Eddie Izzard Defends J.K. Rowling
"I hate the idea we are fighting between ourselves, but it's not going to be sorted with the wave of a wand"
Speaking with The Telegraph, Izzard explained that she doesn't think Rowling is transphobic — despite years' worth of evidence to the contrary. This includes when the author compared transgender hormone treatment to gay conversion therapy and penned that 3,600-word essay about cancel culture and trans activism's effect on children, as well as when she threw a tantrum over the use of gender-inclusive language in an article about menstrual products.
"I think we need to look at the things she has written about in her blog," Izzard told The Telegraph. "Women have been through such hell over history. Trans people have been invisible, too."
She added: "I hate the idea we are fighting between ourselves, but it's not going to be sorted with the wave of a wand. I don't have all the answers. If people disagree with me, fine — but why are we going through hell on this?"
It remains unclear if Izzard is fully aware of the depths of Rowling's history of transphobia or if she has based her opinion of the Harry Potter author solely on her TERF-aligned tweets.
Unsurprisingly, Twitter users have blasted Izzard over her defence of Rowling. See some of those reactions below.
Eddie Izzard having a shitty opinion about the wicked witch of the UK is not surprising, class solidarity is a thing. What is surprising is how many people are misgendering her.
— Terra Field 🏳️⚧️ (@RainofTerra) January 2, 2021
Pronouns aren't a reward for being a good tran, fix your shit.
RE: Eddie Izzard
— CodeMarvelous 💖💜💙 (@codemarvelous) January 4, 2021
People yet again surprised that rich people identify with class first before other identifiers like sexual orientation and gender identity.
Ain't no war but the class war.
Saw something in my news feed that suggested Eddie izzard has gone the same way and defended JK Rowling. I think it's a privilege thing, where they're insulated from the usual bullshit most trans N/B people have to put up with, so don't really see the issues they're dismissing.
— Ben Conway (@shaolinpunk_uk) January 4, 2021
Eddie Izzard defends JK Rowling. She's a transphobe and Eddie is gender-fluid, preferring she/her pronouns. But says she knows JK and that JK is not transphobic. pic.twitter.com/R55qi1WxhG
— Acey Deecey 🚀🚀 (@mcgarrygirl78) January 4, 2021
@eddieizzard so JK Rowling isn't transphobic? Eddie, are you literate? Did you read that essay on how trans women (ie. You Eddie, you) are actually predatory men who want to oogle and assault women in the loo? Wtf.
— the Common Enemy (@Kari28662485) January 4, 2021
Really @eddieizzard? Your defence of @jk_rowling hurts, in a way my dumbfuck cishet ass even gets. I'd sooner let @jimmycarr do my taxes or even let @TheDukeOfYork babysit than let you speak for one of my trans family or friends.
— Incomprehensible Segue (@lifeisamalaphor) January 4, 2021
You were the voice for so many you just silenced.