Rupert Grint admitted that he felt he needed to fight for transgender people after JK Rowling became involved in a bitter argument last year.
The 32-year-old actor, who is best known for playing Ron Weasley in the film series based on Rowling’s Harry Potter books, released a statement after the transgender community’s intense reaction against the acclaimed author in June.
He explained his decision to express his opposition to Rowling’s comments by saying that although he has a ‘great respect’ for the author, he can still disagree with her views.
Speaking openly: Rupert Grint, 32, admitted that he felt he needed to defend trans people after JK Rowling got involved in a transgender fight last year (photo in 2019)
Rupert admitted that although “he was not an authority” in the debate, he felt he had a responsibility to speak out in support of the trans community since “the silence is higher”.
Speaking to Esquire, he said: ‘I am immensely grateful [for] everything she did. I think she is extremely talented, and I mean, clearly, her works are brilliant. ‘
Elaborating his reasoning, he continued: ‘But yes, I also think that you can have a great respect for someone and still disagree with things like that …
‘Sometimes the silence is even louder. I felt that I had to do this because I think it was important. I mean, I don’t want to talk about all of that … I am usually not an authority on the subject.
Controversy: The 32-year-old explained his decision to express his opposition to Rowling saying that although he has a ‘great respect’ for her, he can still disagree with his views (photo in 2018)
‘Just out of kindness and just respecting people. I think it is a valuable group that needs to be defended. ‘
JK Rowling, 55, was charged with transphobia in June last year, after questioning an online article about ‘menstruating people’.
She tweeted to her 14.5 million followers: ‘I’m sure there used to be a word for these people. Somebody help me. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? ‘
Reaction: JK Rowling, 55, was accused of transphobia in June last year after she had a problem with an online article about ‘menstruating people’
The acclaimed novelist sparked fury among other social media users and was struck by what she described as ‘relentless attacks’ after the tweet.
She then wrote a deeply personal essay to address the controversy, revealing that she was sexually abused in her 20s and saying that she still feels the scars of ‘domestic violence’ in her first marriage.
Surprisingly, a hashtag asking for the author’s death was the number one trend tag on Twitter in October last year.
Personal: She then wrote a deeply personal essay to address the controversy, revealing that she was sexually abused in her 20s and saying that she still feels the scars of “domestic violence” in her first marriage (pictured with her first husband and daughter Jessica) , which is now 26)
Rupert increased the reaction against the author by joining co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson to speak out in support of transgender people.
In a statement to The Times, Rupert said: ‘I firmly defend the trans community and agree with the feelings expressed by many of my colleagues. Trans women are women. Trans men are men.
‘We must all have the right to live in love and without judgment.’
Daniel, 31, who played titular hero Harry, said in a statement to Project Trevor: ‘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 associations that have far more experience in this matter than either Jo or me.’
Career: Rupert increased the reaction against the author by joining co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson to speak in support of trans people (photo in 2001)
And Emma, 30, who starred as Hermione Granger, tweeted: ‘Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or informed that they are not 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 and love you for who you are.’
Although several Harry Potter stars have criticized the author, Ralph Fiennes, who played Lord Voldemort in the film series, recently came to his defense.
The 58-year-old actor openly showed his support for Rowling in an interview with the Telegraph on Wednesday.
Different view: Harry Potter star Ralph Fiennes, 58, (photo) recently came to his defense, calling the ‘level of hatred’ directed at the author ‘disturbing’
Ralph said he ‘didn’t understand the criticism’ against her, and that the ‘hatred’ that people have for someone who expresses a different view for them is alarming.
“I can’t understand the vitriol aimed at her,” he said, adding that while he can understand why people have strong opinions on the subject, he considers the author’s widespread defamation to be “irrational”.
He continued: “I find the level of hatred that people express from different points of view disturbing and the violence of language towards others disturbing.”
Ralph played Lord Voldemort in the hit film franchise, with his first appearance as the character in the fourth film in 2005.
Actor: Ralph played Lord Voldemort in the film franchise, with his first appearance as the character in the fourth film in 2005. Portrayed in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1