by Daniel Radcliffe says he believes it was “really important” to speak out earlier against the alleged anti-trans remarks made by JK Rowling.
The Harry Potter author drew wide criticism in June 2020 following a series of tweets, for which critics accused her of being transphobic.
Rowling vehemently denied the allegations.
Radcliffe said after meeting with members of the LGBT + community that “he wanted them to know that not everyone in the franchise felt that way.”
In a recent interview with online publication IndieWire, the 33-year-old actor said many young, queer and transgender fans of the series were “hurt that day”.
“The reason I really felt like I had to say something when I did it was because, particularly since I finished Potter, I have met so many queer and trans guys and young people who had a tremendous amount of identification with Potter on that, “he said.
“And so seeing them hurt that day I thought I wanted them to know that not everyone in the franchise felt that way.
“And that was really important.”
In her original tweets, Rowling disputed a headline on an online article discussing “menstruating people”, writing, “I’m sure there was a word for those people. Someone help me. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? ? “
Radcliffe, who became a world star for his portrayal of the schoolboy wizard, commented at the time, stating: “Transgender women are women.”
The actor shared a statement through the LGBT + suicide prevention charity The Trevor Project, stating that while Rowling was “unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken … as a human being, I feel compelled. to say something right now. “
“It was really important, as I’ve worked with the Trevor Project for more than 10 years, so I don’t think I would have been able to look in the mirror if I hadn’t said anything,” he told IndieWire.
Following the ensuing discussion sparked by her comments, Rowling said she was motivated to talk about transgender issues due to her experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
He also claimed to have since received threats from “hundreds of trans activists”, actions which have been condemned by the UK government.
Earlier this year, the author appeared on the Harry Potter 20th reunion special, but only in archival video clips.
The HBO Max special, Return To Hogwarts, saw Radcliffe and fellow castmates Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reunite for the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
