Celebrity4 min(s) read
Published 17:16 18 Jan 2021 GMT
Rupert Grint has once again defended transgender people following J.K. Rowling's divisive public comments on gender and trans people last year.
The controversy was ignited back in June when the 55-year-old Harry Potter author retweeted a news headline that read: "Opinion: Creating a more equal post-Covid-19 world for people who menstruate."
Criticizing the phrasing of the article, Rowling tweeted: "'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? [sic]"
Rowling later returned to the subject after posting a 4000-word essay to her official website, which she shared on social media.
In it, the acclaimed writer espoused the belief that trans activism is "pushing to erode the legal definition of sex and replace it with gender" - something which Rowling claims is "offering cover to predators."
Rowling wrote:
"If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth. [sic]"
Per Pink News, the LGBTQ+ community was further incensed when it emerged that Rowling was planning on writing a new crime book under her "Robert Galbraith" pseudonym, which would feature a murderous cis man who dresses as a woman as its main antagonist.
A large number of fans of the fantasy novel series were so shocked and offended by Rowling's comments, that they took to Twitter to express their dismay with the author, and added that her words had tainted the franchise for them:
In the aftermath of the scandal, a number of cast members of the Harry Potter film franchise publically denounced Rowling's essay.
Grint issued an official statement to The Times during the height of the controversy, stating:
"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 judgment."
In a new interview The Times, the 32-year-old English actor has opened up about what motivated him to post his statement, and also reaffirmed his stance on Rowling's comments.
Grint stated:
"Social media can start important conversations but if you put your opinions out there, you can get bombarded.
"I do think it’s still important to stand up for what you believe in, and for people and communities that need our support and love.
"That’s why I spoke out last year. I wanted to get some kindness out there."
Meanwhile, Grint's Potter co-stars have echoed his sentiments in statements of their own.
For example, in a statement made on the LGBT suicide prevention charity The Trevor Project's website, actor Daniel Radcliffe stated:
"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 [Rowling] or I."
Meanwhile, actress Emma Watson 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.
"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."
