UPDATED: More Wizarding World Alumni Stand Against Transphobia

by · June 11, 2020

Following the statement made by Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe in support of transgender and nonbinary people, even more members of the wider Wizarding World franchise have spoken out.

Numerous actors from the Harry Potter films have issued statements of their own. Emma Watson took to Twitter to address her transgender followers in a series of tweets.

 

 

 

 

 

Bonnie Wright noted that the love provided by the Harry Potter series remains “infinite.”

 

 

Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley) expressed his pride in his transgender friends.

 

https://twitter.com/chrisrankin/status/1269405154606026752

 

Evanna Lynch expressed her thoughts in a series of screenshots attached to her tweet.

 

https://twitter.com/Evy_Lynch/status/1270395418560606208

 

Katie Leung (Cho Chang) brought up “her thoughts on Cho Chang,” responding to Twitter discussions about the character’s name.

 

https://twitter.com/Kt_Leung/status/1269574865733988356

 

Rather than provide her thoughts on Cho Chang, however, Leung attached links to numerous sources in support of Black transgender people.

 

https://twitter.com/Kt_Leung/status/1269574874739113984

 

https://twitter.com/Kt_Leung/status/1269574876081328129

 

https://twitter.com/Kt_Leung/status/1269574879344541699

 

https://twitter.com/Kt_Leung/status/1269574880502206464

 

She ended this with a single hashtag: “#AsiansForBlackLives.”

 

https://twitter.com/Kt_Leung/status/1269574883337474049

 

From Fantastic Beasts, Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander) provided a statement to Variety.

Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years, I have been trying to constantly educate myself. This is an ongoing process. As someone who has worked with both J.K. Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid. I would never want to speak on behalf of the community, but I do know that my dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which all too often results in violence and abuse. They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so.

From the original West End and Broadway casts of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger) also spoke out.

 

https://twitter.com/MissDumezweni/status/1269612529816305664

 

https://twitter.com/MissDumezweni/status/1269612535516405760

 

MinaLima, the graphic design team behind the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, took to Instagram to emphasize the importance of June as Pride Month.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

June is a special month for us for many reasons. Since opening our doors in the heart of London’s Soho four years ago – in June! – we have proudly celebrated Pride month at House of MinaLima annually. As our House is temporarily closed, this year we will take our celebrations online and invite you all to join us. MinaLima’s strength is derived from the diversity of our team, we value the multiplicity of ethnicities, sexualities, genders and religions that make MinaLima. We believe in equality and love for all, and send our support to all those who need it, wherever they may be. Mira, Eduardo and the MinaLima family x

A post shared by Miraphora Mina & Eduardo Lima (@minalimadesign) on

 

Arthur A. Levine, formerly of Scholastic imprint Arthur A. Levine Books and the American editor of the Harry Potter book series, took to Twitter.

 

 

 

Finally, Warner Bros. provided a statement to Variety. In it, the company addressed its “resolve as a company to confront difficult societal issues.”

The events in the last several weeks have firmed our resolve as a company to confront difficult societal issues. Warner Bros.’ position on inclusiveness is well established, and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture has never been more important to our company and to our audiences around the world. We deeply value the work of our storytellers who give so much of themselves in sharing their creations with us all. We recognize our responsibility to foster empathy and advocate understanding of all communities and all people, particularly those we work with and those we reach through our content.

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UPDATE (June 12):

More cast members have spoken out in support of the transgender community. This includes Rupert Grint, who released a statement to the Times. The statement was quoted by the Evening Standard.

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.

Scarlett Hefner (née Byrne), who portrayed Pansy Parkinson in the final three Harry Potter films, tweeted her support for the transgender community on June 11.

 

 

From Fantastic Beasts, Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski) also tweeted and attached a longer statement as an image.

 

 

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UPDATE (June 12, 7:15 p.m. ET):

Steve Kloves – who has worked as a screenwriter on all the Harry Potter films besides Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as a producer on all three Fantastic Beasts films, and as a screenwriter alongside J.K. Rowling on the upcoming third Fantastic Beasts film – released a statement to Variety:

Our diversity is our strength. In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that transgender women and men, and people who are non-binary, feel safe and accepted for who they are. It seems very little to ask.

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For additional support, there are resources available. The Trevor Project, founded in 1998, offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth under the age of 25. The organization operates a 24-hour hotline at 1-866-488-7386. Confidential text messaging is also available by texting START to 678-678.