Eddie Redmayne has become the latest star affiliated with the Harry Potter franchise to speak out against J.K. Rowling's recent anti-trans tweets.
Over the weekend, Rowling shared a Devex article about menstrual health to her 15 million followers, taking issue with the phrase "people who menstruate", before sarcastically implying that the author should have just used the word "women".
‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA
After receiving criticism from many followers accusing her of trans erasure, Rowling doubled down on her comments before suggesting that cisgender women face more discrimination.
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.
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.
Well, now Redmayne — who plays Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts series — has denounced the comments in a statement to Variety.
"Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself,” Redmayne began his statement.
"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," he went on.
Redmayne joins Harry Potter actors Katie Leung, Noma Dumezweni, Evanna Lynch, and Daniel Radcliffe in speaking out against Rowling's comments.
Meanwhile, Daniel Radcliffe released a statement through the Trevor Project, saying that he was "deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused".
Rowling's comments are just the latest in a long line of controversies surrounding the Fantastic Beasts series, which could call its future into question.
You can read Redmayne's full statement here.
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.