Daniel Radcliffe, a British actor known for his role in ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, has sharply condemned the controversial comments from J.K. Rowling, the novel series’ author, on gender identity.
Rowling, a British novelist and film producer, had sparked outrage over the weekend after she mocked a headline about “people who menstruate.”
“People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?,” the 54-year-old had asked in a series of tweets.
“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.”
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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
Her comments however, opened the floodgates of criticism on Twitter with many accusing her of transphobia — a term used to describe persons who dislike or prejudice transgender people.
Joining the fray, Radcliffe said transgender women should be respected for their identities, adding that any attempt to invalidate their personalities would amount to “harm”.
In a statement posted on an LGBT suicide prevention charity website, the actor said: “Transgender women are women.”
“Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people. 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.”
Rowling is yet to respond to Radcliffe.
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