Potter star intervenes in author transgender row
HARRY Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has waded into the transgender row involving author JK Rowling and said he hopes her comments will not “taint” the series for fans.
Rowling attracted criticism for tweets posted over the weekend. 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?”
Critics accused her of being transphobic, an allegation Rowling strongly denies.
Actor Radcliffe, who became a worldwide star after playing schoolboy wizard Harry in the blockbuster adaptations of the beloved book series, has now commented on the controversy, stating “transgender women are women”.
He shared a statement through the LGBT suicide prevention charity The Trevor Project, saying that while Rowling “is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken... as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment”.
Writing that the issue is not about “in-fighting between JK Rowling and myself,” Radcliffe said: “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.”
The 30-year-old then cited statistics from The Trevor Project, claiming 78% of transgender and non-binary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity.
He said: “It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and non-binary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.”
Following a backlash, Rowling, 54, stood by her comments, arguing “it isn’t