Two more Wizarding World alums have voiced their opinions against the famed author, whose recent comments have been branded transphobic.
Emma Watson and Eddie Redmayne, famed for playing Hermoine Granger and Newt Scamander respectively in the 'Harry Potter' franchise, have spoken out against J.K. Rowlings' recent rebuttal which has been opposed online.
Rowling caused controversy by appearing to mock those within the trans community in the below tweet.
‘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
Since then, both Daniel Radcliffe and Evanna Lynch have not stayed quiet regarding the matter, and both have cemented their stance by supporting the community and urging fans of the 'Harry Potter' series to not view the books or movies as being tainted.
Emma Watson, who is an equal rights activist, has now taken to Twitter to chip in her two cents in the J.K. Rowling conversation. She wrote to her followers: "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 then went on to suggest two charities to donate to, and wished everyone a Happy Pride month.
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
Happy #PRIDE2020 Sending love x
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020
Speaking exclusively to Variety, Eddie Redmayne said that "respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative", and he has tried to educate himself in this regard in recent years.
Redmayne outrightly said that he disagreed with Rowling's hurtful comments, and has sided with the people who have often had to deal with violence and abuse for most of their lives. He continued: "I disagree with Jo’s comments. 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 do 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. They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so."
Warner Bros. studio, who have created all of the movies in the Wizarding World franchise thus far, including the upcoming 'Fantastic Beasts' sequels and whose theme parks have a 'Harry Potter' experience around the world, have so far declined to comment on the matter.
A spokesperson from the company said: "We deeply value the work of our storytellers who give so much of themselves in sharing their creations with us all. We recognize our responsibility to foster empathy and advocate understanding of all communities and all people, particularly those we work with and those we reach through our content."