JK Rowling, the author whose popular Harry Potter books talk about inclusivity in the magical realm, has shown that she is transphobic once again on Twitter.
During the Pride month, JK Rowling took to Twitter and mocked a headline about “people who menstruate.”
"People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" she tweeted last Saturday.
Many celebrities have since spoken out against Rowling’s insensitive statement during the Pride month as well.
"What JK Rowling is saying is harmful and dangerous and the trans and non-binary witches and wizards deserve to feel welcomed and loved in the Harry Potter community dammit!!!!" actress Tessa Netting wrote.
Another netizen pointed out that “women are not defined by their periods.”
While JK Rowling have disappointed fans and non-fans worldwide, the actors and actresses of the Harry Potter films have taken up the mantle to bolster and offer support to the black and trans community.
Fellow actress Katie Leung, who acted as Cho Chang in the Harry Potter movies, shared links to charities and initiatives accepting donations to support black trans life.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played the titular role of Harry Potter, released a whole letter on The Trevor Project website to fans. Here are some excerpts from the letter.
“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 Jo or I.”
“According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity. It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.”
He also offered kind words to the fans who felt JK Rowling has tarnished their beloved books.
“To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you. I really hope that you don’t entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you.”
“If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred.”
“And in my opinion nobody can touch that. It means to you what it means to you and I hope that these comments will not taint that too much.”
Radcliffe signed off with “Love always,” a play on the words uttered by Snape when asked if he still loved Lily Potter after all that time.
