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The boy who lived contradicts statements by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. In particular, the author made controversial comments about transgender people.
As many might already know, Daniel Radcliffe played Harry Potter in the film adaptation of Rowling’s beloved book series.
In a June 2020 interview with The Trevor Project, Radcliffe disagreed with the author’s statement on trans issues. However, Rowling is always sharing her opinions on social media and in published articles these days.
Radcliffe told IndieWire that he made the statement because he felt he had something to say, especially to Harry Potter fans.
“Transgender women are women,” he wrote.
“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 [Rowling] or I.”
Radcliffe added to his statement: “Particularly since finishing Potter, I’ve met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that. And so, seeing them hurt on that day, I was like.
“I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important.”
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The actor went on to say he wouldn’t have felt comfortable if he didn’t say something about it.
“It was really important as I’ve worked with the Trevor Project for more than ten years. And so I don’t think I would’ve been able to look myself in the mirror had I not said anything,” he said. “But it’s not mine to guess what’s going on in someone else’s head.”
Radcliffe initially entered the Trevor Project’s Circle of Hope in 2009. The program is a community of huge donors who play a vital role in the organization’s financial figurehead.
The Trevor Project is a national leader offering crisis mediation and suicide prevention services to the LGBTQ community.
The actor’s statements come after another Potter star came to Rowling’s defense, telling The New York Times that “the verbal abuse” on the author was “disgusting” and “appalling.”
Ralph Fiennes, who portrays Voldemort, said: “I mean, I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women.
“But it’s not some obscene, uber-right-wing fascist. It’s just a woman saying, ‘I’m a woman. And I feel I’m a woman, and I want to be able to say I’m a woman.’ And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman.”
Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter spans seven books and eight films. Warner Bros. produced and distributed the film series.
Here are the film titles:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Goblet of Fire (2005)
Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)
Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
The film series stars Radcliffe, Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), and Rupert Grint (Ronald Weasley).
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