March 22, 2021
Rupert Grint on Why He Spoke Out Against J.K. Rowling's Transphobic Tweets
Kevin Schattenkirk READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Rupert Grint – perhaps best known as Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" series – has explained why he joined his co-stars, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, in speaking out against J.K Rowling's transphobic tweets last year.
In a new interview with Esquire, Grint said, "I think to stay silent would have spoke. Sometimes silence is even louder.
"I felt like I had to because I think it was important to. I mean, I don't want to talk about all that... Generally, I'm not an authority on the subject. Just out of kindness, and just respecting people. I think it's a valuable group that I think needs standing up for.
"I am hugely grateful [for] everything that she's done. I think that she's extremely talented, and I mean, clearly, her works are genius. But yeah, I think also you can have huge respect for someone and still disagree with things like that."
Last year, after Rowling made a series of transphobic tweets, and then published a defensive essay on the matter, the three "Harry Potter" leads issued statement in support of the transgender community. At the time, Grint said in a statement, "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."
Radcliffe responded to Rowling on The Trevor Project website, saying, "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."
Emma Watson tweeted, "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 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."
These were in response to Rowling's tweets:
