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Opinion

The Ultimate ‘Mansplain’: Daniel Radcliffe Apologizes To Fans For J.K. Rowling’s Tweets On Gender Identity

Wasn’t telling a woman what to think anathema to the left? Apparently it’s fine when you’re defining what a woman is.

In one of the most absurd moments of 2020–and there have been many, many of them so far–is the woke left turning on itself in this particular way.

Daniel Radcliffe, the 30-year old actor who became famous due solely to his starring role in the Harry Potter movie franchise, has decided to apologize to fans who were hurt by recent tweets regarding gender identity by author J.K. Rowling.

ClashDaily covered that story here:

J.K. Rowling Tweets About Biological Sex–Leftists Attack And ‘Cancel’ Her (Again)

Rowling’s ire was initially sparked by an article that referred to women as “people who menstruate.” She then wrote a short twitter thread where Rowling defended the science of biological sex and the implications of self-identification solely determining one’s gender. Rowling wrote:

If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth. The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women – ie, to male violence – ‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences – is a nonsense. I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.

The backlash was immediate.

Now, Daniel Radcliffe is jumping in to do some damage control as well as educate his friend Jo (Rowling) on what he’s learned working with The Trevor Project–a non-profit organization which works to prevent youth suicide in the LGBTQ+ community.

The actor, 30, felt compelled to make a statement about the acclaimed novelist, after she tweeted about an article entitled ‘Creating a more equal post COVID-19 world for people who menstruate’ on Friday.

Rowling wrote: ”People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?’

In response, Radcliffe hit out at the author who made him famous, saying: ‘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’.

Source: Daily Mail

Radcliffe affirmed that transgender women are women despite what Rowling tweeted about biological sex. Rowling is no longer woke enough because she accepts and embraces trans people, but refuses to say that transgender women are biological women. So, Racliffe, a man, is setting her straight.

In the ultimate act of “manslplaining”, Radcliffe explains what a woman is for the woman that apparently can’t comprehend that self-identification now trumps actual science to the left. Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people,” wrote Radcliffe in his statement released through the Trevor Project on Monday.

Does accepting biological men as women just because they say that they are women not erase the identity and dignity of women? How about calling women menstruators? It’s pretty degrading to just refer to women by one biological function.

Rowling isn’t “erasing” the existence of trans women or anyone who is transgender. She is saying that biological sex exists and to say that it doesn’t is wrong. Activists are now attempting to use the fringe cases to suggest that biology is on a spectrum, but that’s not the case with 99% of people. Do we now redefine biology because of 1%? Aren’t leftists always the ones talking about being the “party of science”? Clearly science doesn’t include biology.

What’s just as awful as the mansplaining is that this man, who was quite literally made famous by the world created by Rowling, is apologizing to the fans of her books for Rowling’s tweets, “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.”

He continues, “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.”

Here is his statement in full:

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

Source: The Trevor Project

Radcliffe himself didn’t get by unscathed.

K. Walker

ClashDaily's Associate Editor since August 2016. Self-described political junkie, anti-Third Wave Feminist, and a nightmare to the 'intersectional' crowd. Mrs. Walker has taken a stand against 'white privilege' education in public schools. She's also an amateur Playwright, former Drama teacher, and staunch defender of the Oxford comma. Follow her humble musings on Twitter: @TheMrsKnowItAll and on Gettr @KarenWalker

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