Why Daniel Radcliffe felt it was ‘important’ to denounce JK Rowling’s transphobia

Actor said many 'queer and trans kids had a huge identification' with his character and he couldn’t let them down

Daniel Radcliffe has never shied away from taking a stand for his queer and trans friends and followers and has consistently denounced Harry Potter author J.K Rowling in her transphobic comments.

The renowned author recently came under fire for her problematic views on the transgender community, and Radcliffe, who met many queer and trans people relating to his character from his movies, felt it was “important” for him to speak up so his fans can know that the whole Potter franchise doesn’t share the same “hateful” views as of Rowling.

In a conversation with IndieWire, Radcliffe highlighted why it was important for him to use his platform to affirm his trans fans. “The reason I felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, 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,” he said. “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.”

Back in 2020, Rowling upset many fans after posting a series of anti-trans tweets. She doubled down on her comments a few days later in a lengthy, controversial essay published on her website and has since reiterated and defended her transphobic ideology a dozen times over, with many claiming that she has tarnished her legacy with her transphobia and pointed transmisogyny.

Shortly after Rowling's transphobic thread and essay, Radcliffe published his own response on The Trevor Project's website, clearly voicing his support of the transgender and nonbinary community. “I realize that certain press outlets will probably want to paint this as in-fighting between J.K. Rowling and myself, but that is really not what this is about, nor is it what’s important right now,” he began the open 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 healthcare associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I… It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm."

The 33-year-old actor continued to express that he was “still learning how to be a better ally,” pointing readers to additional resources and support. Addressing Harry Potter fans directly, he concluded, “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.”

Two years after that letter, upon reflecting on his statements, Radcliffe still feels as though it was absolutely necessary to speak up. “It was really important as I’ve worked with the Trevor Project for more than 10 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 to IndieWire. “But it’s not mine to guess what’s going on in someone else’s head.”

It is pertinent to note that Radcliffe’s public statement against Rowling encouraged his co-stars from Harry Potter to also take lead and use their platform to speak out against the author’s comments. Actors Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), and Katie Leung (Cho Chang).

Watson in a Twitter thread wrote, “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.”

Grunt also expressed his support for the community. “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers,” he told The Sunday Times. “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”