'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe has issued a response to the tweets that J.K. Rowling recently came under fire for.
The author faced a backlash last weekend after mocking a headline about "people who menstruate."
She wrote: "People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"
‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?
Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
Many said the tweet was transphobic, which is an accusation the writer has faced before.
In 2018, the writer was criticised for liking a tweet by a user that referenced "men in dresses."
Last year, she defended Maya Forstater, a woman who lost an employment tribunal over comments she about transgender people.
Dress however you please.
Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you.
Live your best life in peace and security.
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 19, 2019
Actor Daniel Radcliffe has responded to Rowling's comments in a blog post for The Trevor Project. The non-profit is devoted to suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth.
Radcliffe wrote he felt "compelled to say something at this moment."
He opened the piece with the words: "I realize that certain press outlets will probably want to paint this as in-fighting between J.K. Rowling and myself, but that is really not what this is about, nor is it what’s important right now."
He continued: "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."
He said that he is "learning to be a better ally" to transgender and nonbinary youth. Radcliffe apologised, writing "I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you".
He also said he hoped the 'Harry Potter' book series hadn't been tainted for fans.
The actor wrote: "If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups, if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred."
