The actress, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, is the latest star to publicly disagree with JK Rowling.
Thursday 11 June 2020 10:39, UK
JK Rowling (L) and Emma Watson attend the Lumos fundraising event hosted by JK Rowling at The Warner Bros. Harry Potter Tour on November 9, 2013 in London, England
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Harry Potter author JK Rowling and star Emma Watson pictured in 2013
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Harry Potter star Emma Watson has said transgender people “deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned” in response to JK Rowling’s controversial comments on the issue.
The actress, who played Hermione Grainger in the hit film series, joins her former co-star Daniel Radcliffe and fellow actor Eddie Redmayne, who appeared in the Fantastic Beasts spin-offs, in publicly disagreeing with the author.
After sparking controversy with a series of tweets taking issue with a headline discussing “people who menstruate”, Rowling released a lengthy statement on Wednesday – revealing that one of the reasons she has been so vocal about the issue is previous experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Daniel Radcliffe and J.K Rowling at the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in London in July 2011
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Daniel Radcliffe and Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them star Eddie Redmayne (below) have also publicly disagreed with Rowling
English author JK Rowling (L) and English actor Eddie Redmayne attend HBO’s “Finding The Way Home” world premiere at Hudson Yards on December 11, 2019 in New York City
Watson posted a series of tweets shortly afterwards. Warner Bros, the Hollywood studio behind the blockbuster Harry Potter franchise, also responded to the controversy, as did Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley in the films.
Addressing her trans followers, Watson said: “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.”
The actress said she donates to the Mermaids charity, which helps transgender children, and the feminist fund Mama Cash, and urged followers to do the same if they can.
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Rowling has strongly denied allegations of transphobia, saying she is very much in support of the trans community – but also women.
She said lots of women have been in touch with her to tell their stories of being abused by trans activists.
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Posting a 3,600-word statement on the issue, Rowling detailed five reasons she felt the need to speak out – including her interest in “both education and safeguarding” and “freedom of speech”.