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Daniel Radcliffe Speaks Out In Support Of Trans Women After JK Rowling's Comments On Gender Identity
In the wake of J.K. Rowling's transphobic tweets once again attacking transgender women's identities, Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter in the film adaptions of Rowling's series, issued a statement in support of the trans community.
Rowling made headlines when, in a series of tweets, she attacked the trans community by insisting that assigned sex was real and unchangeable.
She also tried to claim the existence of transgender women invalidates homosexuality despite gender identity and sexuality being entirely different things.
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
Rowling insisted she loved and felt empathy for trans women—just not enough to believe they have a right to exist.
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.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
Many fans of Rowling's Harry Potter series felt her repeated blatant transphobia might make it hard to enjoy her stories in the future.
Two days later, Daniel Radcliffe issued a statement—through The Trevor Project—which was unconditional in its support of the transcommunity.
Here is the full text of Radcliffe's statement, which was titled "Daniel Radcliffe Responds To J.K. Rowling's Tweets On Gender Identity."
"I realize that certain press outlets will probably want to paint this as in-fighting between J.K. Rowling and myself, but that is really not what this is about, nor is it what's important right now. While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment."
"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."
"I am still learning how to be a better ally, so if you want to join me in learning more about transgender and nonbinary identities check out The Trevor Project's Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth. It's an introductory educational resource that covers a wide range of topics, including the differences between sex and gender, and shares best practices on how to support transgender and nonbinary people."
"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. I really hope that you don't entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you."
"If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion nobody can touch that. It means to you what it means to you and I hope that these comments will not taint that too much."
"Love always, Dan"
The way Daniel Radcliffe worded this is 👏
The man stood for transgender identities while acknowledging that he is still learning how to be an ally. He also refused to let the headline be a feud between himself and Rowling, keeping the spotlight on the affected LGBTQ+ community. https://t.co/0BEebh0A4q
— Varsha 🤨 (@VPod07) June 9, 2020
Twitter couldn't have been more impressed with Radcliffe's loving response to Rowling's ignorance.
Daniel Radcliffe. Legend. My dude. Yes. Thank you. This is being an ally. Trans women are women. That's really the end of it. ⚧ https://t.co/k0nnQhzN6J
— Dani MLT (ASCP) #BLM 🏳️🌈 (@War_Kittens) June 9, 2020
Daniel Radcliffe is just a really good person and a lot of people need to hear this from someone connected to the characters they love. https://t.co/IEpQK8ozSL
— JordanHeath-Rawlings (@TheGameSheet) June 9, 2020
https://t.co/oi8IPvQtqt
I'll be honest, I never really watched any of his work or thought much of him before, but.... Daniel Radcliffe seems like a really kind and great guy. I appreciate him for saying what he said. And I'm glad he's supportive and an ally. 💝💖💝
— Jaina, Professional Phantom of Darkness. (@Videl6666666) June 9, 2020
Radcliffe gave Potter fans everywhere a reason to return to the series.
I am PROUD to have gotten Daniel Radcliffe's fan newsletter when I was a teenager.
— rachel leishman (@RachelLeishman) June 9, 2020
Is there a John Boyega/Daniel Radcliffe Ben & Jerry's flavor we can buy because 😭😭😭
— Ashlee Latimer (@ALNL) June 9, 2020
Other actors associated with the wizarding franchise also spoke out in support of transgender individuals.
Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley in the film series, addressed transgender fans instead of Rowling.
My beautiful, brave, strong, trans friends and house of #ChrisNess family. We love you. I can't say it enough. You're wonderful, and deserve to be treated as such.
Please know that.
Be proud of who you are. We are proud of you ❤️
— Chris Rankin (@chrisrankin) June 6, 2020
Noma Dumezweni, who played Hermione Granger in the first run of both the West End and Broadway productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Childlisted various high-profile transgender activists and individuals.
1. Dear Jo - Marsha P. Johnson. Sylvia Rivera. Indya Moore. Angelica Ross. Tamara Adrián. Rebecca Root. Isis King. Laverne Cox. Caitlyn Jenner. Lily and Lana Wachowski. Trace Lysette. Andreja Pejic. Tracey Norman. Janet Mock. APRIL ASHLEY... etc, etc, Wikipedia..
— Noma (@MissDumezweni) June 7, 2020
Katie Leung who played Cho Chang also addressed Rowling's long history with racism...
So, you want my thoughts on Cho Chang? Okay, here goes...(thread)
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
...by sharing links to support trans women of color...
https://t.co/X2iZBPzII4
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
https://t.co/rLCXMhXivN
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
https://t.co/jqW4OugKZH
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
...and support for BLM.
#AsiansForBlackLives
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
Activist group The Harry Potter Alliance did the same while directly denouncing Rowling.
We aren't going to retweet the tweets because we generally focus on putting out messages that are uplifting, kind, actionable, & factual. The author's tweets tonight are none of those. Instead, here's where you can donate to help Black trans women in ATL: https://t.co/G3luSJHpWc
— The Harry Potter Alliance (@TheHPAlliance) June 7, 2020
If you're a Harry Potter fan who wants to learn how to advocate for trans people, take a look at our Protego guide! https://t.co/Hf90Kuph2W
— The Harry Potter Alliance (@TheHPAlliance) June 7, 2020
If there's one thing Harry Potter has taught us, it's that love and acceptance are more powerful than hate and oppression.
good morning to daniel radcliffe and daniel radcliffe only.https://t.co/v0mHKn1jDU pic.twitter.com/9ZEGF4zBKS
— Michael Chakraverty (@mschakraverty) June 9, 2020
This is so well said and so brilliant. My respect for Daniel Radcliffe has just taken off on a Nimbus 2000 and soared. https://t.co/wbj4wIyY75
— Carrie Hope Fletcher (@CarrieHFletcher) June 9, 2020
I love you, Daniel Radcliffe ❤️ https://t.co/0WtwOTDbFt
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) June 9, 2020
It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award my whole heart once again to #danielradcliffe pic.twitter.com/bcNyqTvVDL
— Gunjan (@monicas_7777) June 9, 2020
Radcliffe role modeled exactly how a good ally should act, supporting an oppressed community against friends as well as adversaries while acknowledging he still had room to grow.