...as ANOTHER of her films’ stars slates her over gender views
EDDIE Redmayne has become the latest actor to condemn JK Rowling’s views on transgender people – saying he wants to make ‘absolutely clear’ he does not agree with her.
The actor, 8, who starred in the Harry Potter spin-off films Fantastic Beasts, said trans people should be allowed to ‘live their lives peacefully’.
Redmayne, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of a trans woman in The Danish Girl, said in a statement: ‘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.
‘As someone who has worked with both JK Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments.’ The father-of-two added: ‘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 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.’
He joins Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe in criticism of Miss Rowling, 54, who was accused of transphobia after implying that only women can menstruate, therefore excluding trans men who still have uteruses.
Radcliffe apologised to those who ‘feel their experience of the [Harry Potter] books has been tarnished’ and said he was ‘deeply sorry for the pain’. He insisted his post was not about ‘in-fighting’ with Miss Rowling, adding: ‘[Harry Potter] means to you what it means to you and I hope these comments will not taint that too much.’