Taking A StandCelebrities Speak Out Against J.K. Rowling’s Anti-Trans Comments: See What They Said

Rupert Grint

“I firmly stand with the trans community,” the actor said in a statement to Us Weekly on June 12. “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”

Emma Watson

“I want my trans followers to know that I, and so many other people around the world, see you, respect you and love you for who you are,” Emma wrote in a series of tweets posted on June 10. “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.”

I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.

— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020

Eddie Redmayne

The Fantastic Beasts star addressed the comments in a statement obtained by Us Weekly on June 10.

“Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself,” the actor said. “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.”

Eddie continued, “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.”

Bonnie Wright

“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,” she wrote in a Twitter post from June 10.

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

— Bonnie Wright (@thisisbwright) June 10, 2020

Warner Bros.

The company that produced the Harry Potter film franchise issued a statement about the author’s comments.

“The events in the last several weeks have firmed our resolve as a company to confront difficult societal issues,” the company told Variety on June 10. “Warner Bros.’ position on inclusiveness is well established, and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and to our audiences around the world. We deeply value the work of our storytellers who give so much of themselves in sharing their creations with us all. We recognize our responsibility to foster empathy and advocate understanding of all communities and all people, particularly those we work with and those we reach through our content.”

Evanna Lynch

Evanna — known as Luna Lovegood in the HP series — wrote that she was “saddened” by J.K.’s comments.

“I imagine that being trans and learning to accept and love yourself is challenging enough and we as a society should not be adding to that pain. Feeling like you don’t fit in or aren’t accepted for who you are the worst, most lonely feelings a human can experience and I won’t be helping to marginalize trans women and men further,” she posted on Twitter in a lengthy statement on June 9. “I applaud the immense bravery they show in embracing themselves and think we all should listen to their stories, especially as it is Pride month.”

In her statement, Evanna explained that she doesn’t think Twitter is the place to be having “this very complex conversation” and said she wished that J.K. didn’t “discuss such a delicate topic” online.

Here are my thoughts. Sending love to all. ❤️💜💗🧡💛💚🤎🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/P30YHfnzBN

— Evanna Lynch (@Evy_Lynch) June 9, 2020

“I disagree with her opinion that cis-women are the most vulnerable minority in this situation and I think she’s on the wrong side of this debate. But that doesn’t mean she has completely lost her humanity,” the actress added, addressing the author directly. “I’m so sorry to any trans people who feel that’s been taken away or that this community is no longer that safe place. But the Harry Potter world/fandom/community is literally made up of millions of people now, and I for one will work to make it feel inclusive because trans women are women.”

Katie Leung

Katie — known for her role as Cho Chang in HP — also spoke out.
“So, you want my thoughts on Cho Chang? OK, here goes… (thread),” the actress wrote on Twitter, posting links to petitions and organizations that support the Black trans community.

Halsey

“Imagine writing a generation defining series about a youth uprise that defeats a tyrannical monster motivated by the preservation of ‘pure blood’ and looking at THIS time in the world and going hmm … yep. I’m gonna invalidate trans people,” the songstress wrote on Twitter on June 6.

Sarah Paulson

“Word. Goodnight and shut up @jk_rowling,” the American Horror Story star tweeted on June 6.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel apologized to Harry Potter fans after hearing her comments.

“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,” he wrote in a statement posted to The Trevor Project’s website — a non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth — on June 8.

“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,” he continued. “According to The Trevor Project, 78 percent 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.”

The former wizard also made it clear that he and J.K. are not feuding.

“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,” he concluded.