Eddie Redmayne has weighed in on the row surrounding Harry Potter author JK Rowling, saying he believes the “vitriol” that she has received online is “equally disgusting” as the abuse faced by members of the transgender community.
In recent times, Rowling has repeatedly come under
fire for comments she has made about transgender people, which Eddie was asked for his thoughts on during an interview with the Daily Mail.
The Oscar-winning star – who previously played groundbreaking trans artist Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl, and now appears in the Fantastic Beasts series, penned by Rowling – began by saying that he has many transgender “friends and colleagues”, saying they are “having their
Human Rights challenged around the world and facing discrimination on a daily basis”.
However, he went on to say that while he disagreed with Rowling’s views, he feels the “vitriol” that the author received online is “absolutely disgusting”, and recently sent her what the newspaper described as a “private note”.He added that he felt the treatment of Rowling online is “equally disgusting” to the abuse faced by trans people, stating: “Similarly, there continues to be a hideous torrent of abuse towards trans people online and out in the world that is devastating.”
Since the interview was published, many have voiced their disappointment with Eddie for equating the abuse faced by transgender people with the treatment of Rowling, particularly as a cisgender
Actor who played a real-life trans figurehead in a major film…Remember when we critiqued Eddie Redmayne for being a cis man profiting by playing a trans woman and people said cancel culture had gotten out of hand https://t.co/vdTHoEnisq— Tau (@TauZaman) September 28, 2020every time I see Eddie Redmayne's name, I think about the moment in Disclosure when Jen Richards talks about the link between cis men playing trans
Women in movies & violence against trans women in real life. pic.twitter.com/wd2NutZIk3— t.r. wexler (@LetsTurnDayGlo) September 28, 2020Eddie Redmayne doesn't actually care about trans people? Who could have possibly seen this coming? 👀 pic.twitter.com/83hpr30vqf— Mia Moore 🏳️🌈 (@StopTweetingMia) September 28, 2020what a mysterious change of heart eddie redmayne has had! very strange indeed pic.twitter.com/IkI45ZTLDS— John DiLillo (@dilillicious) September 28, 2020Love it when a cis man cashes in on playing a trans woman and then does nothing to support trans people in any way apart from “I have trans friends” and “they’re getting a lot of abuse, eh?” 🙃🙃🙃Fuck Eddie Redmaynehttps://t.co/DIz4WFKIW9— Vaneet Mehta #20ThemTy 🌺 (@nintendomad888) September 28, 2020Remember when Eddie Redmayne played a trans woman and a bunch of us said that there's a problem with cis men playing trans women is that trans women are often framed/solidified as crossdressing men?https://t.co/gHdL35FyP0— Lovesick Girl (@kat_blaque) September 28, 2020Eddie Redmayne loves to use trans women as a costume to advance his career, but doesn't want to stand up against TERFism by JK Rolling.This is why cis actors should never play trans characters. We are not your fucking costume.— (((Kyla Paterson))) (@TipsfortheCis) September 29, 2020someone send eddie redmayne the judith butler interviewget her, JB pic.twitter.com/HQslmLEKNx— Lindsay Ellis (@thelindsayellis) September 28, 2020So anyway, cis people need to stop playing transgender roles. You don’t get to tell our story wrong, get awards for it, then shit on us.https://t.co/5iToJAcRGC— CJ the Gadabout (@peglegcegjeg) September 28, 2020Back in June, Rowling came under fire when she commented on an article titled Creating a More Equal Post-Covid-19 World for People Who Menstruate, pushing back against the headline for not referring to those who have periods as “women”.
As many online reminded the author that transgender people, non-binary people and gender-nonconforming people can also menstruate, Eddie issued a statement, distancing himself from her comments.
He said: “Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself. This is an ongoing process. As someone who has worked with both JK Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. 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.”While Harry Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have all condemned Rowling’s comments about trans people, co-star Robbie Coltrane recently spoke out in her defence.
“I don’t think what she said was offensive really,” the Hagrid actor said. “I don’t know why but there’s a whole
Twitter generation of people who hang around waiting to be offended.
“They wouldn’t have won the war, would they? That’s me talking like a grumpy old man, but you just think, ‘Oh, get over yourself. Wise up, stand up straight and carry on.’”Useful websites and helplines:The Gender Trust supports anyone affected by gender identity | 01527 894 838Mermaids offers information, support, friendship and shared experiences for young people with gender identity issues | 0208 1234819LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and community-based organisation for LGBT people in
Scotland. Text 07786 202 370Gires provides information for trans people, their families and professionals who care for them | 01372 801554Depend provides support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, a transsexual person in the UKREAD MORE: JK Rowling Dismisses Claims Her Pen Name Is Linked To Psychiatrist Who Practised Conversion Therapy Bookshop Bans JK Rowling Books Over Remarks About Trans People Harry Potter Star Robbie Coltrane Defends JK Rowling In Trans Row