‘Harry Potter’ Star Emma Watson Condemns JK Rowling’s Transphobic Tweets

KEY POINTS

Emma Watson condemns J.K. Rowling's transphobic tweets
Watson donated to two charities that support transgender people and feminists
Daniel Radcliffe also reacted to Rowling's anti-transgender tweets

Emma Watson condemns J.K. Rowling’s anti-transgender tweets.

The “Harry Potter” author caused a stir over the weekend because of her transphobic tweets. Rowling responded to an op-ed entitled “Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.” The British author said those individuals have a name and they are called women.

The LGBTQ+ community was offended because Rowling’s statement seemed to disregard the transmen who also menstruate. “Harry Potter” fans who looked up to Rowling were also disappointed over the writer’s tweets.

Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the popular movie series, shared her thoughts on the issue, and she condemned Rowling’s tweets.

“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 wrote on Twitter.

“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,” she added in another tweet.

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

Watson also donated to Mermaids, a U.K. charity supporting gender-diverse and transgender children and teenagers, and Mama Cash, the oldest international feminist fund. She said she made the donation to encourage others to do the same.

Watson ended her message by wishing the LGBTQ+ community a “Happy Pride 2020.”

Happy #PRIDE2020 Sending love x
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020

Meanwhile, Watson’s post received mixed reactions from the netizens. Many praised and thanked her for speaking up.

I really wish someone had told me this when I was 13 years old. And that I could really have heard it, and believed it. People are still growing up believing that they are a problem. Thank you for speaking out, it really helps knowing that you and more and more people understand.
— Paris Lees (@parislees) June 10, 2020

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH pic.twitter.com/K1rzZnS3N6
— Minerva McGonagall (@minervadiretora) June 10, 2020

Thank you for saying something! 💖 Trans Women Are Real Women 💖 - Don't get discouraged by all the hateful comments, my dear hearts!
— Alena Ebeling-Schuld (Owl & Bear Studio) (@AlenaESPhoto) June 10, 2020

However, others slammed the “Beauty and the Beast” star for “biting the hand that feeds” her. Watson catapulted to fame for being part of Rowling’s “Harry Potter” movies.

“JK made you!.. show some respect,” @dsbronx wrote.

“It's so apparent that you are shoving @jk_rowling under the bus so you don't suffer guilt by association. Before this happened as far as I know you never spoke on the subject. But sure, bite the had [sic] that fed you,” @Opticheart commented.

Meanwhile, “Harry Potter” lead star Daniel Radcliffe also responded to the issue. In an article for The Trevor Project, the actor stressed that he felt compelled to speak up but made it clear that there was no conflict between him and Rowling.

“Transgender women are women,” Radcliffe wrote.