Geekery: JK Rowling at Odds with Potterverse Fans Over Transphobic Comments
The Harry Potter author decided to take to Twitter again last week with more comments about gender and biology – and the fandom and Daniel Radcliffe have responded.
I’m not going to repeat her statements here, which you can go read on Variety if you so choose. This is not the first time she’s veered onto this topic, it will likely not be the last. With the space I have, I want to focus on and amplify a response from Daniel Radcliffe that correctly defines transgender women, and eloquently states the separation between who a creator is and what stories and characters can mean to fans:
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. While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment.
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 care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I. According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity. It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.
I am still learning how to be a better ally, so if you want to join me in learning more about transgender and nonbinary identities check out The Trevor Project’s Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Youth. It’s an introductory educational resource that covers a wide range of topics, including the differences between sex and gender, and shares best practices on how to support transgender and nonbinary people.
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. If these books taught you that love is the strongest force in the universe, capable of overcoming anything; if they taught you that strength is found in diversity, and that dogmatic ideas of pureness lead to the oppression of vulnerable groups; if you believe that a particular character is trans, nonbinary, or gender fluid, or that they are gay or bisexual; if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred. And in my opinion, nobody can touch that. It means to you what it means to you and I hope that these comments will not taint that too much.
Love always,
Dan
It’s hard to grapple with a creator making statements like this when their stories mean so much to so many. It’s ok to be angry and hurt right now; it’s ok to feel like you’ve lost something. Fandom is a big part of many folks’ life, they are entitled to their emotions right now. If you can, channel that energy into something good. Donate to and get involved with organizations that help trans people. Some suggestions:
- The Marsha P. Johnson Insitute
- The Trans Justice Funding Project
- Gendered Intelligence (UK)
- The Trevor Project
