Eddie Redmayne slams J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans tweets
By Marriska Fernandes on June 10, 2020 | 17 Comments
J.K. Rowling has been at the center of controversy with tweets that appear anti-trans. Eddie Redmayne and Daniel Radcliffe have spoken out in response to her comments.
Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books and the spinoff franchise Fantastic Beasts, posted a series of tweets on Saturday, writing: “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,” Rowling wrote. “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.”
Redmayne, who starred in Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts, said 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. This is an ongoing process.”
Redmayne was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Lili Elbe, a Danish transgender woman, in The Danish Girl. His statement continues: “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.”
On Tuesday, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe also criticized Rowling with a response on the Trevor Project website, writing: “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.” ~Marriska Fernandes
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I don’t see what’s wrong with what she said. She makes a valid point.
It’s not wise to bite the hand that feeds you.
It’s okay to have transgender girls use girl bathrooms until puberty. But when a full grown male with a penis can come into a women’s only bathroom by pretending to be a transgender female, it endangers women. Sorry, I’m all for everyone having rights, but don’t women have a right to a safe environment? Women’s bathrooms should be only for women (whether born or transgender) who have the right body parts. That way the public knows you’re committed to being a woman and you aren’t a pedo or perv trying to get access to a room where women are vulnerable to attack.
Eddie and Daniel, you are men, You have never known the fear that comes with being a woman. How do you feel walking home at night alone in the dark? Walking through a forest or a field in broad daylight? You probably feel safe and have never thought twice about it. So shut your bun holes. It’s not safe to have men in women only places. You can’t speak to that. They are being misogynistic by speaking about something that doesn’t concern them in the least. Would they now like to comment on something that only black people experience? Or that puts black people in danger? I would like to see how that goes over.
Hey Eddie,
with all due respect when you go for a blood test your “valid” gender identity will be revealed. A “trans-woman” can never be a woman or a Trans-man can ever become a man. Both are scientifically impossible. A real woman has a monthly menstrual cycle, a real woman has the ability to get pregnant, ALL trans-women cannot. I am sorry if I offended anyone but this is the real truth. So I don’t see anything wrong what Ms. Rowling has said. Hey Eddie when you have the time perhaps you should read up on Biology and Anatomy 101.
I do not get her point frankly and why it is any of her business. Blame Mother nature, biology, chemistrry, God what ever you want to credit or blame for the fact some human beings are born with genetic diseases they have no control over, born with chemical and other inbalances they have no control over and even mixed up sexual characteristics or a brain that says they prefer the same sex.
So when a baby is conceived and there is a problem with those hormones, you can end up a child that is born with both male and female sexual organs, I guess that is easier to understand and what doctors used to think it was best to make a choice at birth of what would be easist to fix without regard to the fact that brain might be telling that child something different especially when those teenage hormones kick in later. Sometimes the physical characteristics are in sync with one sex but the brain says different. The human brain is a complex thing. Not much different than being gay which Ms. Rowling has apparently just discovered for herself.
Clearly she’s been struggling with her own brain chemistry for a while. Who is she to judge?
At least most transgender people are not dangerous. If someone is happy changing their gender none of my business just like if someone is gay or bi or if a man wants to dress like a woman or vice versa. Long as it is legal and consensual it is no one’s business. i am more concerned with the psychopaths and pedophiles.
What ever happened to FREEDOM OF SPEECH??? Why is it Daniel and Eddie and all other trans gender or “whatever” you identify with are completely correct giving their opinions? But not J.K ??? I’m confused here.. should this not be just a matter of opinion? Actually, I believe the FACTS have already been stated previously by TD. More it would be up to the individual to form the opinion. EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO AN OPINION. I ain’t gotta support Jack sh**. I don’t go out of my way to hurt but we are all entitled to an opinion. Kudos to J.K. for having the “balls” to speak it in a society where the only opinion that seems to matter is the poor “underdog”. Give me a break.
By in large, I think people are essentially missing the point. I believe JKR has missed the point that her words have created more harm than good. Transgendered and Non-Binary people have the right to be acknowledged and accepted. When you have a prominent voice like JK Rowling trying to diminish that, albeit maybe not maliciously, the end result is still the same. Isn’t this exactly what people are protesting now for Black Lives Matter? Fighting against systematic discrimination? If your brain chemistry is telling you that you are a man, woman, or you don’t conform to one gender identity, then why should you be forced to conform to what other people tell you. I am a straight CIS white woman, so I can’t even begin to understand what transgendered or non-binary people go through. But I am educating myself. I have changed my language to include ‘they’ as a singular pronoun. I am an educator who expresses these beliefs so new generations of students can think for themselves. I also work with young people who are coming out as their true authentic selves and deserve to have a future free from discrimination. Why can’t we just respect eachother instead of tearing eachother down for our differences? Why can’t we go forward instead of going back?
I think people are missing Rowling’s point. Read the essay she wrote (it’s attached in another article on this site). She is trying to speak up for women, to keep them safe. If any man who claims he’s a woman can get into areas where women are changing, women no longer are safe. We no longer have rights. Not only that, but a lot of young people are deciding they’re trans and then changing back, but they’ve changed their bodies with hormones and/or surgery to the point where they can’t have children anymore because of a decision they made as a child or teenager. There are groups of friends who’ve convinced each other they’re all trans. It’s the latest fad.
This will be a mute point a hundred years from now, when parents will have genetic test automatically done at birth, and society in what ever country will allow those parents to change the correction that they want done though medical science of the day! So for today, let live those who chose the way they want to live, as long they don’t interfere with others enjoyment of their own lives! Stay Safe and God bless you.
Any mods out there? This transphobic comment section is gross
I don’t understand why parents would need genetic testing done at birth, LOL! Are we not able to figure it out? And why would parents change it at birth? You can’t create what you want. The kid will have feelings one way or another. Try googling the tragic case of David Reimer, who was born a boy but raised as a girl.
You trans-phobics are disgusting and you are so very very wrong. To the person worried about a fully grown adult using the public bathrooms, if a person is doing hormone therapy then it is very obvious that they are serious about who they are, not that you have a right to ask to see a persons genitals to verify this and you have been using the same bathroom as trans people for years and never knew. Also you know that women can be pedos and pervs too right. Kinda sexist to believe all pedos and pervs have a penis only.
To the person using biology as a reason to be trans-phobic, telling Eddie to get a blood test, did you know that women born without a penis can test with the Y chromosome? Also you insult women with your comment and show your sexist ways, “A real woman has a monthly menstrual cycle, a real woman has the ability to get pregnant” WOW I cannot begin to say what an asshole remark. So apparently any woman who goes through menopause is no longer a “real” woman? Any woman who has a hysterectomy isn’t a “real” woman? How about one who chooses to use birth control to not get pregnant? My biological functions do not identify my gender! I am a born cis hetero female who knows what gender and sexuality I am and I will not stand by and allow people to negate others who know who they are! These boys may be male but at least they are standing up for a community that needs our love and acceptance not our judgement and hatred.
So frustrating these days that no one can share a differing opinion anymore without being persecuted for it. ‘Liberals’ have completely gone off the deep end, and constantly bash someone who doesn’t agree with their point of view. The complete OPPOSITE of what a Liberal should be!! And it’s awful that celebrities are always pressured into making statements about everything. They are actors, and should not feel pressured to be spokespeople (unless they choose to do so).
Come on people. This discrimination is from a person who stole the idea that made her famous. Would you really trust anything from her mouth.
So sad that while the internet has allowed us the ability to educate ourselves, social media has exposed how ignorant so many people are.
I’m with Debra on this one . Why cant there be a third box to tick instead of trying to erase scientific facts of being born a woman or man so feelings wont be hurt. We are not modeling clay to alter at will. No snap on parts. You are being fed a big pile of hurt when love can head straight for the heart of truth. This need to seek and destroy a human being for an opinion (a rather well thought out sensitive honest opinion free of hate) is ugly unproductive and spotlights the drive to conscript everyone in on the lie. Seems when someone successful by hard work says something “controversial” the heat seeking missiles are set to destroy. The mistakes made are treating deep phycological illnesses as if normal healthy choices. Karma is already in action world wide societies are falling apart, filled up with fear and hate. So called friends will drop you as if you are deadly poisonous the moment an angry someone points a finger… both results of fear. Believe what you need to get through the day because that is your personal choice just don’t say science is king one day then rage against it the next. Science says what J.K believes ,so please just straighten out the scientists… then get back to us.