Eddie Redmayne speaks out against JK Rowling for controversial tweets

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 19d

Eddie Redmayne says that he 'disagrees' with JK Rowling after her controversial comments about transgender people.

Eddie Redmayne has said that he 'disagrees' with JK Rowling after she made a series of controversial tweets that were alleged to be transphobic.

The Harry Potter author shared a link to an article titled "People Who Menstruate" alongside the message: "I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

The 54-year-old went on to lament a move towards "erasing the concept of sex" while also claiming the idea that she is anti-trans is "nonsense".

Redmayne, who previously played a transgender character in the acclaimed film The Danish Girl, knows Rowling through starring in the Harry Potter spinoff franchise Fantastic Beasts but has issued a statement distancing himself from her remarks.

"Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself," he told Variety. "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."

Daniel Radcliffe has also spoken out in support of the trans community following Rowling's comments, emphatically stating: "Transgender women are women."