Daniel Radcliffe has waded into the transgender row involving author JK Rowling and said he hopes her comments will not “taint” the Harry Potter series.
Over the weekend, the famous author sparked backlash following her remarks about menstruation after disagreeing with an article about periods.
Social media users accused Rowling of being “anti-trans” – a claim she strongly denies.
The actor, who portrayed the wizard in the blockbuster adaptations of the beloved book series, released a statement through LGBT suicide prevention charity The Trevor Project apologising for Rowling’s social media outburst.
Daniel Radcliffe said ‘trans women are women’ (Image: Getty Images for Turner)
The statement read: “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.”
Twitter users branded the author’s comments transphobic as they shared their outrage online (Image: PA)
Elsewhere in the statement, Daniel spoke about the Harry Potter series and admitted he hopes fans’ love of the books doesn’t falter.
He added: “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.
He concluded: “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.”
Rowling became embroiled in a Twitter storm after she took issue with a headline on an online article discussing “people who menstruate,” and said: “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Fans soon called out the star, and criticised her for appearing to define a woman as someone who has a menstrual period.
Rowling responded: “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.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
