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J K Rowling’s most recent bout of twitter transphobia, has faced more backlash than the several other times she’s takes to the social media platform to share, or support others who are sharing, negative views on trans women. Whether its because this time, she decided to do it during pride month, a time when the LGBTQ+ community should be able to celebrate, and feel their best, or because she decided to take to twitter to share transphobia while ignoring the Black Lives Matter movement, she’s certainly riled up more people that usual.
First to speak out was the face of the Harry Potter Franchise, Daniel Radcliffe. He wrote a post on The Trevor Project’s website, a suicide prevention organisation for LGBTQ+ youth, most importantly stating ‘Transgender women are women’, along with many heartfelt sentiments for those who felt a disconnect from Harry Potter, due to the comments from Rowling.
Katie Leung, Cho Chang from the series, was pulled into the Twitter fray quickly, and responded perfectly. The actress tweeted ‘So, you want to know my thoughts on Cho Chang? Okay, here goes…(Thread)’. The thread contained links to online fundraisers, petitions, and charities, supporting black trans people. She ended the thread with ‘#AsiansForBlackLives’.
Emma Watson, who played Hermione, was also quick to speak up. As a vocal feminist activist, an image of her in a t-shirt that said ‘Trans rights are human rights’, was quickly circulated online, before a statement came from her.
She soon tweeted ‘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.’. She followed with ‘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.’.
She continued the thread by linking to Mermaids, a UK charity supporting gender diverse and transgender children and teenagers, and Mama Cash, the oldest international feminist fund, which supports all women, including those who are trans or intersex, saying she had donated to them, and encouraging others to do the same.
Rupert Grint, or Ronald Weasley in the Harry Potter universes, soon spoke up alongside his cast mates. The actor said ‘I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement.’.
Bonnie Wright, Grint’s on screen sister, also joined the conversation, stating ‘If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without judgement or question. Transwomen are Women. I see and love you, Bonnie x’.
Steve Kloves, who has worked closely with Rowling for decades now, having written the scripts for seven of the eight Harry Potter movies, and worked as a producer and writer for the Fantastic Beasts franchise, also spoke out, saying ‘Our diversity is our strength. In these challenging times, its more important than ever that Transgender women and men, and people who are non-binary, feel safe and accepted for who they are. It seems very little to ask.’
Finally, Luna Lovegood actress, Evana Lynch, took to twitter, in a now deleted tweet saying ‘Feeling like you don’t fit in or aren’t accepted for who you are are the worst, most lonely feelings a human can experience and i won’t be helping to marginalise trans women and men further. I applaud the immense bravery they show in embracing themselves and thing we all should listen to their stories, especially as it is Pride Month. Personally, I don’t think Twitter is the right place to have this very complex conversation and we should all be reading articles and memoirs, listening to podcasts and having long-form conversations. I think its irresponsible to discuss such a delicate topic over Twitter through fragmented thoughts and I with Jo wouldn’t. As a friend and admirer of Jo I can’t forget what a generous and loving person she is. I am sad to see fans reduce Jo to her tweets and seemingly dismiss her incredible philanthropic work and her determination to help humanity.’
Understandably, many fans were upset with the actress, and how easily it appears to be for her to dismiss Rowling’s transphobia due to her being ‘loving’, and donating to charities.
If the writer continues on such a controversial, and largely thought to be severely misguided, trend of tweets, we’re sure to see other familiar faces pop up to condemn her opinions, and distance themselves from her.