Rupert Grint is the latest Harry Potter star to push back against author J.K. Rowling's transphobic comments. The Ron Weasley actor follows franchise stars, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who previously expressed their opposition to the writer's anti-trans sentiments. Cho Chang actress Katie Leung was actually the first one to speak up against Rowling's problematic comments following a wave of new backlash from the public.

With a history of transphobic comments, the Harry Potter writer is once again in the middle of a scandal after her recent controversial statement implying that trans-women are not women. Sharing the article, "Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate," Rowling included the caption "People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" resulting in an overwhelmingly negative response on social media.

Related: What JK Rowling's Anti-Trans Controversy Means For Fantastic Beasts 3

In a statement to The Times, Grint shares that he does not believe there's a distinction between those who are biologically born women and those who transition. He also threw support to the whole trans community, mirroring the sentiments of his fellow Harry Potter stars. The actor finished by emphasizing that everyone is entitled to live the lives they choose without any hostility from others. “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment,” Grint said.

Harry Potter Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley

Aside from the Harry Potter stars, Fantastic Beasts franchise lead Eddie Redmayne straightforwardly said in a statement that he disagrees with Rowling's statement as well. In response to the growing backlash that led Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise actors to speak up, Warner Bros. also released a statement. Unfortunately, it danced around the heart of the issue - Rowling's transphobic comments - with WB's short blurb maintaining they're all for inclusivity and are committed to propagating it in their work environments as well as upcoming projects. However, the presser does not mention how they will do that or what their plans are for supporting the trans-community.

Amid the controversy, Rowling is standing her ground. After her initial social media post that kicked this whole thing off, she continues to retweet tweets that support her comments. She also wrote a lengthy response on her official website, but instead of reflecting on why her post is problematic, she defends her actions - saying that it stems from women coming to her with their fears about trans activism.

With Grint now vocally opposing Rowling's latest anti-trans sentiments, all three Harry Potter film series lead stars have come out to counter the author's statement. Admittedly, it's a bad look for the writer considering that Radcliffe, Grint, and Watsone made a name for themselves playing characters who stand up for what's right and fight oppressive forces in the fictional Wizarding World that she created. Seeing the actors who are synonymous with Harry, Ron, and Hermione openly throwing their support to the trans community is a great way to inspire more people to do the same. In addition to that, their statements opposing that of Rowling's could also help trans people who might currently be conflicted about their love for the franchise given its creator's problematic statements. Unfortunately, considering Rowling's insistence on maintaining her stance about the issue despite the backlash, chances of her changing her mind about it are slim to none.

More: JK Rowling Anti-Trans Controversy Explained: What The Harry Potter Author Said

Source: The Times

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