In a recent interview with The Atlantic, Daniel Radcliffe expressed his sadness about J.K. Rowling’s anti-transgender comments and revealed that he hasn’t spoken to the Harry Potter author in years. The 34-year-old actor, who portrayed the protagonist in all eight Harry Potter films, reiterated his support for LGBTQ+ rights and their civil rights.
Radcliffe spoke about his deep empathy for the inclusive world that Rowling created in her books, but emphasized that he doesn’t owe his beliefs and values solely to her. Despite being grateful for his role in the Harry Potter franchise, Radcliffe felt the need to speak out against Rowling’s comments and highlight their differing views on the rights of LGBTQ+ communities.
During the interview, Radcliffe also addressed Rowling’s criticism of the Harry Potter actors for their advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities. He stated that he will continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ+ people and didn’t have any further comment on the matter.
The actor also explained his decision to address Rowling’s anti-trans comments in 2020. Radcliffe had been involved with the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that focuses on suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth in America, for 12 years. He felt that it would be cowardly not to speak up and wanted to help those who had been negatively affected by Rowling’s remarks. Radcliffe wanted to make it clear that Rowling’s views do not represent the beliefs of everyone associated with the Potter franchise.
Rowling sparked controversy in 2020 when she mocked an article for using the term “people who menstruate.” In separate posts, she questioned the concept of sex and its impact on same-sex attraction and the lived reality of women globally. Radcliffe clarified that sex and gender are two different constructs, with sex referring to biological and physiological characteristics and gender referring to socially constructed characteristics.
In April, Rowling accused Radcliffe and his Harry Potter co-star Emma Watson of using their platforms to support the transitioning of minors. She stated that she would not accept any public apologies from them, characterizing them as celebrities who erode women’s hard-won rights. Despite this, Radcliffe’s response to Rowling’s anti-trans stance has received praise from many people.
Overall, Daniel Radcliffe’s heartfelt response to J.K. Rowling’s comments reflects his continued support for LGBTQ+ rights and his commitment to speaking out against discrimination.
