Back in June of 2020, actor Daniel Radcliffe called out Harry Potter author JK Rowling for her opinions and controversial tweets surrounding the transgender community.
Rowling's transphobic tweets, which were in response to the phrase "people who menstruate," garnered a reaction from Radcliffe, and he felt the need to speak out:
"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."
Earlier this week, Radcliffe opened up to IndieWire and shared why he felt the need to speak out against Rowling's opinions.
The actor said:
"The reason I felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing 'Potter,' I've met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that."
"And so seeing them hurt on that day... I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important."
Fans applauded the actor's choice to speak out and also tweeted their gratitude for his support.
\u201c@CultureCrave @Herostratus356\u201d— Culture Crave \ud83c\udf7f (@Culture Crave \ud83c\udf7f) 1667336989
\u201c@CultureCrave "It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to our enemies and a great deal more to stand up to our friends."\u201d— Culture Crave \ud83c\udf7f (@Culture Crave \ud83c\udf7f) 1667336989
\u201c@CultureCrave Mad respect for Daniel hopefully Emma and Rupert come out with similar statements as well\u201d— Culture Crave \ud83c\udf7f (@Culture Crave \ud83c\udf7f) 1667336989
\u201cThank you Daniel Radcliffe for speaking out against J.K. Rowling and her transphobia on social media.\nhttps://t.co/ZZilbLpsmw\u201d— Carolyn Parsons \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf4\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udd8c\ud83d\udc04\ud83d\udd2c (@Carolyn Parsons \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf4\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udd8c\ud83d\udc04\ud83d\udd2c) 1667418503
\u201c@Variety I think some people assumed the cast supported her beliefs. I'm happy he took a stance.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1667336313
\u201c@Variety It is not about the money/fame or the franchise it is having the courage to speak out bravely.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1667336313
\u201c@Variety Good man. He must know the hate he'll get as a consequence, but he's stepped up to do the right thing anyway.\n\u2665\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\u2665\ufe0f\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1667336313
\u201c@Variety Daniel Radcliffe continues to be a class act. I really appreciate that he stood up for what was right.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1667336313
\u201c@Variety Bravo! I love this young man.\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1667336313
\u201c@PinkNews Protect him at all costs \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— PinkNews (@PinkNews) 1667383846
\u201cRowling has irreparably damaged the HP legacy, but it still means a lot for Daniel Radcliffe to speak up and say this. He owes her nothing and is a welcome voice of support. Harry defeats Voldemort a second time. \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\u201d— strengthtodream (@strengthtodream) 1667340498
Radcliffe said he would not have been able to look himself in the mirror if he refrained from speaking out.
He added, "But it's not mine to guess what's going on in someone else's head."
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