Rupert Grint just joined his former Harry Potter co-stars in speaking out against J.K. Rowling's anti-trans comments.
Last weekend, Rowling upset many Potter fans after she released a series of anti-trans tweets. First, she objected to a news article using gender-neutral language to describe menstruation:
‘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
When people called her out, she doubled down on her anti-trans rhetoric, saying that "it isn't hate to speak the truth." She then published an essay on her website where she tried to justify her anti-trans views, using more harmful (and factually incorrect) anti-trans language.
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.
In a statement released to the Times, Rupert Grint responded to Rowling's comments and made it clear that he supports the trans community.
“I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men," he said.
"We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment," he concluded.
Rupert, who played Ron Weasley in the film adaptations of Rowling's books, is not the first Harry Potter star to speak out against the author. On Wednesday, Emma Watson tweeted her support of the trans community:
Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.
She also encouraged her followers to donate to organizations that support trans people:
I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash. If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same. ❤️
Meanwhile, Daniel Radcliffe published a statement on The Trevor Project's website condemning Rowling's words, writing that he "feel[s] 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...It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.
And Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the films, posted a tweet affirming that "trans women are women" and sending love to any Harry Potter fans who have been hurt by this:
If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without judgment or question. Transwomen are Women. I see and love you, Bonnie x
