Harry Potter obsessives are once again being forced to consider reading another book after author J.K. Rowling's latest tirade against trans and nonbinary identities. Harry Potter himself Daniel Radcliffe spoke up to condemn Rowling's statements, and now Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne has entered the conversation.
In a statement provided to Variety, Redmayne did not mince words in his condemnation of Rowling:
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. 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.
Both actors had made their statements in response to a series of Rowling's tweets from Saturday (June 6), criticizing an article that used the term "people who menstruate," a phrase she argues invalidates women's experiences.
A number of people responded to point out that many nonbinary people and trans men do menstruate. Rowling maintained her stance despite the ongoing backlash from followers and requests to do better. Following the controversy, many of Rowling's followers also suggested that she is a trans-exclusionary radical feminist for her views, a term better known by its acronym, TERF.
Daniel Radcliffe's response to J.K. Rowling can be read here.
In a statement provided to Variety, Redmayne did not mince words in his condemnation of Rowling:
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. 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.
Both actors had made their statements in response to a series of Rowling's tweets from Saturday (June 6), criticizing an article that used the term "people who menstruate," a phrase she argues invalidates women's experiences.
A number of people responded to point out that many nonbinary people and trans men do menstruate. Rowling maintained her stance despite the ongoing backlash from followers and requests to do better. Following the controversy, many of Rowling's followers also suggested that she is a trans-exclusionary radical feminist for her views, a term better known by its acronym, TERF.
Daniel Radcliffe's response to J.K. Rowling can be read here.