Emma Watson Is The Latest ‘Harry Potter’ Star To Slam JK Rowling Over Transphobic Comments
"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," Watson said.
Emma Watson, the beloved star of the Harry Potter movies, has rebuked series creator JK Rowling over her transphobic comments.
Rowling, who has repeatedly leaned into transphobic rhetoric over the years, took to her Twitter over the weekend to take umbrage with the use of the phrase “people who menstruate.” After making an initial cruel and disparaging “joke” about the importance of the word women, Rowling then engaged with a number of her critics and doubled down on her views.
“If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased,” Rowling wrote. “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.”
Days later, Rowling wrote a long and waffling blog post in which she spoke of the “accusations and threats from trans activists that have been bubbling in my Twitter timeline.” Though ostensibly an attempt to “clarify” her comments, the post just sees Rowling lean into them further.
In response, Daniel Radcliffe has spoken out against Rowling, reiterating his support for the trans community. And now Emma Watson has done the same.
“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,” Watson said, simply.
“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.”
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.
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020
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
She then encouraged her followers to donate to Mermaids, a charity that supports trans and genderqueer youth.
I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash. If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same. ❤️
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020
So, in a complicated, sometimes hard world, remember to be more like Watson, and a lot less like Rowling.